Pantherturm Project Begins! (9 Viewers)

[razorboy]

I've decided to build a Pantherturm emplacement that will be based on several different photos. These "Ground Turrets" were used quite effectively in Italy, on the Atlantic and West Walls and elsewhere.

My turret started out as an Ausf. A turret, the 30 year old Tamiya kit and as you can see, there is quite a bit of filling and fabricating to be done before this becomes a late model 'D' turm with an 'A' cupola.

The cupola hatch needed attention as well:

Gun Mantel needed some attention too :

New hoisting points were fashioned from small paperclips and attached, gun port plug added :

If anyone is interested in learning more about Pantherturms, this is a very informative site :
http://www.ospreyfortress.com/articles/tank_turrets.htm
More pics as I progress,

 

[Spitfrnd]

Sounds interesting but the pictures do not show for me.

 

[razorboy]

Okay, can you see them now?

 

[razorboy]

Added a handle to the cupola hatch and got the slots cut into the drilled out and puttied areas to simulate those giant screws. Still need to go around the outside edge of them so that the wash will show it off. Added a grab handle to the rear loaders hatch along with another grab handle above the hatch.

 

[razorboy]

Got some more done on the Pantherturm today.
Settled on my crew and got the majority of the artillery damage done to the AA MG mount rail, simulated damage (bent and slightly twisted) to rear hoist-point as well. The hacksaw in the right hand of the walking crewman is an old H&R Castings piece, I had to fabricate a new blade from sheet styrene as the original was a mess.

razorboy

 

[kilted vampire]

Is that you in the picture with the hacksaw? What scale is this? How about a Tigerturm? I have an extra turret from a Tunisian Tiger!

 

[razorboy]

I've seen them mostly in Panther turret, some mkIV turrets but not a one of the tiger turrets - Sorry KV!
BTW that's my cousin with the hacksaw, we do look an awful lot alike!
razorboy

 

[theBaron]

Good start, I'm in suspense to see more as you go.

What is your raw material here for the turret and the figures?

Prost!
Brad

 

[razorboy]

Got some of my base work done, styrofoam build up. Smoke-stack/vent-pipe is a 1/48 scale Model Railroad accessory. Got the base coats on the figures and a bit more paint on the 'pantherturm' itself.

More pics on the way,
razorboy

 

[razorboy]

Started on the "HE Damage" tonight, twisted rebar, concrete chunks and all.
razorboy

 

[razorboy]

Re: Pantherturm Project Update

Progressed a bit with the groundwork. Put down my static grass and worked a bit on the Shell Hit debris. Still need to fine tune the base colours but that won't happen until I finish the Pantherturm itself, so that I may better "marry" the colours of both the groundwork and the turret.

razorboy

 

[razorboy]

Added some "Trees" late yesterday evening. Weeds taken out of my side field this February, painted grey-brown with bright green leaves to simulate early spring trees that are in transition from budd to leaf.
razorboy

 

[kilted vampire]

I've seen them mostly in Panther turret, some mkIV turrets but not a one of the tiger turrets - Sorry KV!
BTW that's my cousin with the hacksaw, we do look an awful lot alike!
razorboy

As luck would have it I am now in possesion of a Panzer IV Turret. Do continue please!

 

[aujj65]

I've just read this from the start and I'm very impressed with the level of detail on such an unusal subject topic....like the early spring trees that are in transition from budd to leaf......and the way they are in scale, must have taken ages.
I am looking forward to the next installment.

Regards

Jeff

 

[razorboy]

Thanks!

 

[razorboy]

Started adding the last of the vegetation this morning, still not done but this should give everyone an idea as to where I'm headed with it. I have re-positioned the turret lifting lugs approximately 90 degrees to their correct postions.
Please excuse the lighting, no time to set it all up.
razorboy

 

[razorboy]

Added yet more "Veggies" to the scene, still have about 3 more plant varieties in mind before it's done.
rb

 

[aujj65]

Is that a smoke stack behind the turret? I like what you have done with this dio so far.

Jeff

 

[Spitfrnd]

Looking better and better. It is quite fun to watch the progress.

 

[razorboy]

Is that a smoke stack behind the turret? I like what you have done with this dio so far.

Jeff

Yes, it is a retractable smokestack/ventpipe to remove the exhaust from the generator for the turret operation and the smoke from the stove in the crew quarters.
razorboy