Bowcat's 1/35 Meng Panther A

[Jim R]

Hi Bob
Looks as if you have it sorted. What do you stick the zimm on with? Do you have to be careful to glue right to the edges to prevent a gap/lifted up edge?
Jim

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Hi Jim, after a lot of research into the matter I settled on using Pritt Stick, with a little CA around the edges to keep it secure.

It seemed like a strange choice when I read it, but it actually seems to have worked really well.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Got the last of the Zim on the hull. It's gone on well with only a small gap on one front corner, which was down to me rather than the kit or resin.

 

[Jon Heptonstall]

Bit of fill and file and you won't notice that gap.
Does the zimmerit allow for accurate placing of the overlying bits?
Looking very good.
Jon.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers Jon.

Yep, I'll run some Vallejo filler in and it will be fine.

The bits were actually fitted first. The Zim is in sections that fit in and around and so far the fit has been excellent.

 

[RM6239]

Bob
It certainly looks the business.
cheers
Ross

 

[Mickc1440]

Hi Bob, the resin Zimmerit looks really nice. I've only used some metal on a Tiger I built which was a real pain at times to get it to sit and fit right.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers gents.

 

[Steve Jones]

Awesome job on the Zim. Very impressive. Looks like its gonna be a classic. Well done sir

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers Steve.

Got quite a lot done this weekend. First job was to paint up and dry brush the engine fans.



Ultimately this was pointless as you can't see them once they and the PE grills are installed.


I also finished building the hull, other than some grab handles which I will add just before painting. I will also paint all the tools separately and add them at the end.



As it was all going so well I also got the turret built and started on the Zim. Just got the large side panels to add.



One thing I found strange was the Zim for the rear of the turret. Is the bit at the top right supposed to be missing? This is how the piece came, there's no other pre-cut piece to add in. I have got some spare from the mud guard extensions that I didn't use so I could make a piece, but it seems strange that Atak would mold the piece this shape if it wasn't supposed to be??

 

[Jon Heptonstall]

Evening Bob.
This is looking very good.
Meng have their own sheets of zimmerit-3 different patterns-and they have that top right bit missing as well.I'll have to try and find out why.a
Jon.

 

[spanner570]

Looking very nice Bob.

I suspect it's a bit of artistic licence and omitted on purpose. Zimmerit did fall off.

When I did my homemade version, I left a chunk off my Panther. It adds a bit of a 'well used' look. Personally I wouldn't be bothered if your missing piece is meant to be there or not.



Cheers.
Ron

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers gents.

I found this picture which would seem to show the Zim wasn't applied to this section.



Either way, I'm going to attack the Zim before paint to give it a chipped up look.

 

[Steve Jones]

Terrific work Bob. Really liking this a lot. Keep it comin

 

[spanner570]

Bob, just been having a look at the above picture - And I thought my application was rough!

 

[BigGreg]

Bob really looking forward for your paint job...

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers chaps.

Got the last of the Zim panels on tonight and made up the MG and mount. Few more odds and sods to get off the sprue and cleaned up and should be ready for some primer.

Actually, having said that, I've also got the Fruil tracks to put together first.

 

[JR]

Right just found the door so I'm in .!
Looks pretty good to me Bob, and nicely fitted .
John .

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers John.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

This weekend I have mostly been getting to grips with the Friul tracks.

I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. Although they are very nice I wasn't anticipating the amount of clean-up required on each link. I knew I would be drilling out the holes for the links, but I've also had to clean up flash from the hollow guide horns, the holes for the drive sprocket teeth and various little nubs on almost every one!

One side down, the other 2/3'rds of the way there.