The sprockets and solid tyred wheel sets have now received paint. They still require a very light application of dust to match the tones used on the track wheels. Some work is still required with oils to replicate the leaking wheel bearing hubs as seen on the restored vehicle.
Larger kit sprockets ready for primer with large kit PE step ring and 0.7mm bolt heads added to replicate those visible to retain the track pads. Observe how the re-worked track rollers are now repositioned against the track pad to accommodate track fitment and now represent a left- and right-handed sprocket.
Continuing on from the build in Chapter 1 way back in 2020, it has since been primed with Tamiya’s rattle can red oxide fine surfacer. It's a perfect foundation for German armour, especially if you fancy employing the hairspray technique.
This is the first ICM kit of the KHD truck. Released in 2015 this is the S3000 rear wheel drive version. ICM KHD S3000 Subsequent releases include a civilian, a maultier and 4WD versions
Now I have had time to examine my twelve-year old build in detail there are some issues with the kit vs the restored vehicle. There are two main areas I need to address, one of which is making good an original build mishap, and the other, a very prominent inaccuracy issue with the bodywork. Then there will be some additional detail to add here and there.
Dragon Panther A Normandy 1944 kit #6168 Sd.Kfz.171 Panther A Late Type
Fully boxed unopened kit
For sale to UK mainland buyers only £50 including postage
Continuing on from Chapter 1 let's begin with a brief recap of this extremely rare vehicle.
The only surviving vehicle was recovered from the Pilica River in Poland. It is believed that only a handfull of these were ever manufactured, making it very rare indeed! This variant of the Sd.Kfz 8 was all but forgotten until it was recovered and then restored to operational condition. Having a full lightly armoured hull around the chassis and drive train, it is believed that this was a lost prototype of an armoured artillery tractor.
These are the only period images to be currently found online. The first image appears to show pneumatic tyred front wheels and a four door rear panel.
Both the lower front panels shape and design and the large upper panel overhang are very different on this example compared to what is offered in the Trumpeter kit.
Two door rear panel on this vehicle.
Here we have Dragon's 2011 kit #6342. This features an Ausf G early hull without zimmerit.
