Feature Article by: Jamie Haggo
Something to get you started…and in the mood for building!
Setting the Scene
I am an ardent aircraft modeller, however having recently watched the instructional DVDs by Mig Jimenez I have really got into weathering military vehicles. The aim of this article is not to take you through the build of the tank step-by-step, but to concentrate on the techniques and products I used to achieve the finish you can see in the final gallery.
The kit itself is the Dragon Panther Ausf A Smart Kit. It is expensive, but as well as all the bits you’d expect in a kit you get an aluminium barrel, photo etch sheet, magic tracks (individual plastic track links) and steel side armour plates so all in all I reckon it’s pretty good value.
Aftermarket extras were the resin Atak zimmerit and the Fruil metal tracks, both of these have been dealt with in the Techniques Bank.
The Build
The instructions, as is typical from this manufacturer, can be quite confusing so pre-study is really essential. The kit itself is lovely and goes together really nicely. The photo etch is comprehensive and fits very well, but be careful as it can be easy to knock off.
The zimmerit is essential as all Ausf A vehicles had this. There are many ways to reproduce this from scratch however, being a novice, I chickened out and bought the Atak resin set.
The Gallery below gives you some views of the unpainted model, minus the wheels and tracks, which were left off for easier painting.
