Entry 1: The "Original" 1/35 Scale Bergepanther Model Kit from Italeri.

 

Released in 1995, the kit was the first for a vehicle based on the famous German Panther Tank that was not used for fighting purposes but as a recovery and repair platform. Even though the molding was not as sharp as Tamiya or Dragon model's products, but none of them had a BergePanther. 

Then in 2006, ICM Models released it's version of the bergepanther but using majority Italeri mold parts.

 Modellers would have to wait until Takom Model's release in 2018 and Hobbyboss rendition in 2021.

The Build

The built was comparative simple compared to the latest offering by major kit makers. As this kit provided partial interior. I made up more parts from Evergreen Plastic products and surplus parts to enhance the details. Given the original rubber tracks were lacking in details. A set of aftermarket Panther Tank Tracks from SKP Model was added together with Voyager Model PE35981 set for Panther Tank A version, which greatly improved the details on this project. 

Additional Field Mount for Engine (made from Evergreen Plastic products and an engine from a FAMO halftrack  from Tamiya )

Interior 

Building scale models with interior requires painting before the parts are seal off.  Some modellers prefer to approach the interior by paint them on the sprue trees before assemblying. Personally, i prefer build each section as it is (engine, crew interior, etc) then airbrushing them before detailing painting. Experience have shown again and again, gluing painted parts together sometimes causes the plastic to dissolve and mess up the paint, though use thin cement like Tamiya Extra Thin Cement may fix this.

As for painting assembled parts, i have found that as long as it can be seen by the eye, any assembled part or section can be painted, be it very small paint brushes. 

As for the Bergepanther, the interior was painted, weathered and masked off before tackling the exterior assemblies like the hull, tracks, idler and sprocket and the big spade.

Black and White Painting method.

There are many ways to paint scale models. Some preferred priming all black or gray before applying colours. Others, would only shade the areas of shadow with back before applying colours. Some would do a mixture of both approach depending on the model kit and and their colours.  My painting style has been heavily influence by Spanish model builders for armour vehicles such as Mr. JOSE LUIS LOPEZ RUIZ and Mr. Miguel Jiménez. Both artist's published books have been good references for improving the scale model. These books are 

Painting Guide for AFV: of World War Two and Modern Era by Jose Luis Lopez (2014-07-19) 

F.A.Q.: Frequently Asked Questions on Afv Painting Techniques

To such, this time round i have attempted the Black and White method on this scale model kit.

 More on the painting the Bergepather on the next post.