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

[DavidN]

Those belong to the Jagdpanther.

[DevilDog77]

Good to know.

[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.

[Studiocat13]

Fun with Pigments !

[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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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 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]

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

[Studiocat13]

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

[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]

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

Thanks Chef, I greatly appreciate it and I'm quite happy with how it turned out ! With that said, after building a couple 1/35 scale tanks, these are a ton more work but they are a lot of fun and I'm actually already looking at the Heng Long M26 Pershing as my next RC purchase. Figured it would pair up nicely with the Panther !

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing more of your build in the future !

[MrChef]

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

I took your inspiration for the hooks and came up with my own. I had some sprues with tank parts already primed from other projects and came up with these. The square base fits and secures perfectly into the hole on the engine deck. I snipped and filed the opposite side of the "U" to make it a hook. Sanded and painted with Khaki and voila similar to your good idea. Safe and secure-

[MrChef]

[Studiocat13]

I took your inspiration for the hooks and came up with my own. I had some sprues with tank parts already primed from other projects and came up with these. The square base fits and secures perfectly into the hole on the engine deck. I snipped and filed the opposite side of the "U" to make it a hook. Sanded and painted with Khaki and voila similar to your good idea. Safe and secure-

Looks great Chef and so much better than the way it was designed !

[MaverickTank]

I have had my professional edition Panther G for about a year. recently, it started having trouble with the inner track teeth climbing up the idler wheel on one side. It makes a constant click-click as the teeth intermittently ride up the edge of the wheel. This is happening in straight-line, smooth surface running. I checked the road wheels- same alignment and slop on both sides. It looks like the plastic track tension adjuster has weakened a bit, allowing the idler to flex just enough to rub on the inner teeth of the track, and maybe the hull flexes a bit. A few washers under the idler bearing helped, but it still does the jumping in turns.

I put plastic tracks on it to help reduce the tension, but really want the cool looking metal tracks back on it. Any suggestions? I tried finding replacement tensioners with no luck. Maybe modify tiger metal tension blocks?

[MrChef]

Maverick can you take a few pictures and show us exactly what you think is going on? What part of the idler adjustment is worn? The plastic teeth that mesh with the metal adjustment?

I installed driveshaft bearings when I upgraded my Panther a few months ago. I didn't yet have a detracking issue but since installing the bearings I notice less flex and don't expect any issues. My idler wheels are on the original stock settings.