Discussion Thread: Heng Long 1/16 Scale "Panther G" German WW2 Tank

[MrChef]

Very nicely done Studiocat! I do like how your hooks work with the tow cables. You've shared a good idea for securing mine.

Bravo.

Just be careful, once you get one of these tanks they kind of become addicting just look at DavidN, SocalBob and Rubicon99 collections. I started with one, now I have 6 and am already planning my next 2 RTR and 2 build projects.

Keep it up,

Chef

[Studiocat13]

Nearly complete with the weathering on this beast ! A few more minor touch ups and it will be ready for clear coat !

[Studiocat13]

I got mine from Taigen- https://www.taigentanks.com/collecti...multiple-sizes

FYI, 34cm is the same size as the plastic cable from HL. 55cm is the length that's on my Jagdpanther and a more accurate length.

They are alsp available from Motion RC in the Torro section- https://www.motionrc.com/collections...-tor1383879008

Here is a good source for period pictures- https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gall...any/tanks-2-3/
Searching Panther and Jagdpanther or any Tank and you will see many different Tow Cable attachments, lengths, tools, etc. during the period..

You can also search varied museum sites for current pictures but they may not show just how the tank crews really installed or used the tank tools and equipment.

Thanks for your response Mr. Chef, A lot of valuable info on that "World War Photo" site ! I decided to make use of the existing holes on the tank and add just a couple hooks I made from some 10 Gauge copper wire I had laying around. Going to attempt to paint and weather the provided plastic tow cables for now but may end up ordering some like yours down the road. At least with the hooks I made, the cable end won't just be floating there on the back of the tank.

Thanks again !

Brad

[MrChef]

Thanks for the info Mr. Chef ! Very interesting on how there seem to be several different ways they achieved this. I think I may just create a couple metal hooks and install them where the original holes are for the plastic tow cables and then attach them like that for now. At least it will look a little more realistic rather than just laying there with no attachment point. With that said, were did you purchase the metal tow cables from just in case I decide to go that route later own ? Thanks in advance !

I got mine from Taigen- https://www.taigentanks.com/collecti...multiple-sizes

FYI, 34cm is the same size as the plastic cable from HL. 55cm is the length that's on my Jagdpanther and a more accurate length.

They are alsp available from Motion RC in the Torro section- https://www.motionrc.com/collections...-tor1383879008

Here is a good source for period pictures- https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gall...any/tanks-2-3/
Searching Panther and Jagdpanther or any Tank and you will see many different Tow Cable attachments, lengths, tools, etc. during the period..

You can also search varied museum sites for current pictures but they may not show just how the tank crews really installed or used the tank tools and equipment.

[Studiocat13]

The plastic cables supplied by Heng Long have a tab that sticks into a round slot on the rear engine deck according to the provided manual.

On my Panther G the tabs broke off the plastic cables so I got metal cables that were a bit too short to attach the way they are supposed to correctly. So I made a hook and attached them like this. It's not ideal or realistic but it works-



I will upgrade to the way I did it on my Jagdpanther eventually.


Below I did some research on how the cables were attached historically for my Jagdpanther. Turns out there are clamps to hold the cables like this-



They make aftermarket clamps but I had some leftover parts on sprues and fashioned some "C" clamps and mounted them on the rear deck as follows-

I've also seen a lot of historic photos with the cables looped and hooked like above. The key for this would require the correct length metal tow cables.

Thanks for the info Mr. Chef ! Very interesting on how there seem to be several different ways they achieved this. I think I may just create a couple metal hooks and install them where the original holes are for the plastic tow cables and then attach them like that for now. At least it will look a little more realistic rather than just laying there with no attachment point. With that said, were did you purchase the metal tow cables from just in case I decide to go that route later own ? Thanks in advance !

[MrChef]

Thanks Again Mr.Chef ! I do have a question though. How did you secure the tow cables to the back of the tank on yours ? I don't like the way the cables for the kit attach...they just look like they are hanging there with no real attachment point.
Thanks in advance !

The plastic cables supplied by Heng Long have a tab that sticks into a round slot on the rear engine deck according to the provided manual.

On my Panther G the tabs broke off the plastic cables so I got metal cables that were a bit too short to attach the way they are supposed to correctly. So I made a hook and attached them like this. It's not ideal or realistic but it works-



I will upgrade to the way I did it on my Jagdpanther eventually.


Below I did some research on how the cables were attached historically for my Jagdpanther. Turns out there are clamps to hold the cables like this-



They make aftermarket clamps but I had some leftover parts on sprues and fashioned some "C" clamps and mounted them on the rear deck as follows-

I've also seen a lot of historic photos with the cables looped and hooked like above. The key for this would require the correct length metal tow cables.

[Studiocat13]

No worries, I wasn't trying to be rude or anything, and because they are DIY I am doubly impressed. I like to do plenty of that, I feel more accomplished at the end of the day if I could make something especially if I have stuff laying around than spending $$$ on it.

Kudos, keep it up sir.

Thanks Again Mr.Chef ! I do have a question though. How did you secure the tow cables to the back of the tank on yours ? I don't like the way the cables for the kit attach...they just look like they are hanging there with no real attachment point.
Thanks in advance !

[MrChef]

Thanks for the heads up on the grills but due to these being DIY and not specifically made for the tank, I had to attach from the bottom. Maybe on my next tank I will spring for the pre-made grills.

Thanks again !

No worries, I wasn't trying to be rude or anything, and because they are DIY I am doubly impressed. I like to do plenty of that, I feel more accomplished at the end of the day if I could make something especially if I have stuff laying around than spending $$$ on it.

Kudos, keep it up sir.

[Studiocat13]

Looking really good Srudiocat12! I like the pigment work, exhaust rust and soot.


Just FYI the screens on the rear deck go on top of the grills to prevent any grenades or other such from getting tossed in and mucking up the works.

Thanks for the heads up on the grills but due to these being DIY and not specifically made for the tank, I had to attach from the bottom. Maybe on my next tank I will spring for the pre-made grills.

Thanks again !

[MrChef]

Looking really good Srudiocat12! I like the pigment work, exhaust rust and soot.


Just FYI the screens on the rear deck go on top of the grills to prevent any grenades or other such from getting tossed in and mucking up the works.

[Studiocat13]

Fun with Pigments !

[Studiocat13]

Nice wheels!

When you took them off to paint did you also remove the suspension leading or trailing swing arms and springs?

Keep it up...

Thanks MrChef ! I just removed the wheels themselves and as much as I would like to upgrade the arms and springs, I'm probably going to wait awhile on that part.

[DevilDog77]

Good to know.

[DavidN]

Those belong to the Jagdpanther.

[DevilDog77]

Okay, I have three plastic parts left over and I have, to the best of my knowledge, gone through the instructions and I do not see where parts #8, 9, and an unnumbered part should go. I have attached pictures of the parts in question. On page 6 of the manual parts 8 and 9 are shaded. Part Private Messages (item on the left in the picture) looks like a periscope. Part Albums (item on the right in the picture) looks like a rangefinder. I have no idea as to what the third part is (center).

Did anyone figure out what these parts are for?




Warbirdfan, great looking Panther. What color(s) did you use on the towing cables? How did you attach the jerry can? Any other color suggestions for the accessories?

[MrChef]

Tank looks great Chef ! I am planning to do pretty much the same thing as far as painting the wheels just a different color layout. What did you use to paint and weather the metal tracks ? Also, where did you score the bucket for the rear ? Thanks !

The tracks I use Gun Bluing fluid then weather and paint to finish. Heres the fluid I like best- https://www.brownells.com/tools-clea...g/oxpho-blue~/

I've tried several bluing fluids and like this one the best. I buy the big bottle 32oz. it's more cost effective and provides at least 4 to 5 sets of tracks if not more.

Heres a video showing how to blacken/weather metal tracks with another fluid. The Brownells stuff does the same thing and is cheaper by volume-

The buckets you can get lots of places I had a few left over from Taigen Tanks- https://www.taigentanks.com/collecti...ket-set-1-pair

[MrChef]

Nice wheels!

When you took them off to paint did you also remove the suspension leading or trailing swing arms and springs?

Keep it up...

[Studiocat13]

More progress on the new Heng Long Panther G Professional Edition !

[Studiocat13]

Tank looks great Chef ! I am planning to do pretty much the same thing as far as painting the wheels just a different color layout. What did you use to paint and weather the metal tracks ? Also, where did you score the bucket for the rear ? Thanks !

[MrChef]