Meng Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer Build Pt.1

In this episode our Jagdpanther project moves into the building phase. We look at the process step-by-step, by focusing on potential challenges, pointing out helpful building tips, and we even scratch build trim pieces to replace some difficult-to-bend photo etch parts. See how the pieces fall together to build up into an impressive replica of this feared late-war tank hunter. Stay tuned for the build and painting/weathering episode to follow over the coming weeks.
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[@gruppenfuhrer45]

Wow Tom great job!!! Looks great

[@stevieRay3211]

Hey GF, thanks for the note. Now I just have to finish the damn thing!!! Kind of lost my mojo but I'm hoping to get it back soon. Good luck with your own projects and thanks again!

[@staredsky]

Hya Tom! Nice subject, because it is not usual but offers lot of freedom and creativity in the painting phase

[@stevieRay3211]

Yes, very much looking to painting. May even try the ambush pattern although I don't think the Jagdpanther ever wore that scheme. Nice to hear from you my friend. Hope you're well!

[@staredsky]

@@stevieRay3211 the ambush pattern for sure is the most teasing one ;)

[@anthonyfoley3401]

Excellent video, Tomas!

[@stevieRay3211]

Thanks Mr. Foley. Can't wait to start painting, but I'm saddened I haven't seen any JPs in ambush pattern - been dying to try it again since the Jadgpanzer. Thanks for stopping by and for the awesome remark!

[@ahmadesa6475]

Great vidios thomas!

[@stevieRay3211]

Thank you Ahmadesa for the very nice comment. Good luck with your own projects!

[@MVeminor7]

Hi Tomas, good to see you. I'm glad you chose to mix the variants. I always look to put a model together with the coolest looking parts. I like the details in this kit. They seem to offer more options. I think Meng did a good job on this one. I'm looking forward to the painting and weathering. I like your style with this. You always give us great, informative insight in your videos. Thanks a lot.

[@stevieRay3211]

The kit strikes a good balance with detail and not going whole hog on the part count - minus the tracks which make up for it! I really wanted to use the little tie-downs but I preferred the one-piece gun so my frankenjagdpanther was born. Thanks as always for the inspiring comment!

[@steveankin2682]

​@@stevieRay3211 I'm pretty sure I'm from Wales - UK 😂

[@stevieRay3211]

That's okay, we still love you. I can't find the post but sorry if I mixed you up with one of our Aussie friends. It's probably the "mate" thing or I likely wrote the comment first thing in the morning before my pail full of coffee. I'll try harder next time, I promise.

[@steveankin2682]

A well engineered tank and very detailed. Hope you have calmed down after those tracks. You have done a great job Tom now looking forward to paint. Hope you're well Mate.

[@stevieRay3211]

I'm suffering from post-track-assembly syndrome. Makes me appreciate link and length and magic tracks! Thank you for the awesome comment and always nice to hear from our friends in Australia. All the best and good luck with your own projects!

[@tonyde6423]

Nice job Tomas entertaining video cheers ✌

[@stevieRay3211]

Thanks TD, always nice to hear from you and I appreciate the hello.

[@tonyde6423]

@@stevieRay3211 All good mate looking forward for next update cheers ✌️

[@lesthiele4921]

Hi Tomas, this build is looking great so far, I liked the idea of your 'after market' tow cabels, best regards from Australia 👍👍👍👍

[@stevieRay3211]

Thank you Mr. lesthiele4921. I prefer brass ones since the steel ones are a bit stiff but a little CA seems to tame them pretty well. Thank-you for stopping by!

[@michaeldean1289]

Brilliant build video tutorial mate! I love your presentations Tomas, always informative and very interesting. Looking forward to seeing your next segment. An Aussie fan ❤😂

[@stevieRay3211]

Thanks Michael. Amazing how we have hobby friends in all corners of the world. Greetings from Canada and best wishes on your next scale project.

[@simonbowen4254]

Great video mate! I wish I thought about paint the fan/grills black underneath, too late now 😢 lol

[@stevieRay3211]

Thanks for the note Simon. Once you get the PE grills on, the detail beneath is pretty hard to see so you should be okay. I'm a pre-paint fanatic so I'm probably too fastidious when it come to these type of matters. Truth be known, I've forgotten to paint a few "raspberries" in my time so we're brothers in suffering. Good luck on your project nonetheless.

[@simonbowen4254]

@@stevieRay3211 When can we expect Part 2 of the build? Also, any tips of assembling these tracks in terms of gluing and being able to bend them?

[@stevieRay3211]

Hey Simon, been taking a break from model building but I hope to get back to finishing part two of this series soon. In the meantime, a brief explanation of assembling plastic linked tracks is covered in my Stug episode, about 11 minutes in. Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZzdaICgqr93q80. The stug kit has length and link tracks but the procedure is the same for all separate links. If you managed to assemble all those pesky guide horns in the Jagdpather kit, my eternal respect for your perseverance!

[@davidfedorko8148]

Great work Tom, I am also working on this kit. I broke down and bought the PE bending tool 😂. I am waiting for delivery

[@stevieRay3211]

That's not helping with my bender envy. 😁I think it's still going to be a challenge since the bend is so damn close to the edge. Let me know how it goes for you.

[@georgemclay2862]

Make sure to heat the PE with a lighter and let it cool, this anneals it and makes it MUCH easier to bend 😊

[@stevieRay3211]

That's a great tip but....I did the old anneal trick on one of the PE parts on the Meng Stug build and the damn thing went up in flames! I had to go back to my beloved stash of styrene to replace the piece. So I'd add the caveat; anneal only if the PE is of rather a thick gauge. Thanks for dropping us a comment though George and all the best to you!

[@ocsplc]

Ahh.. your lower hull build section cut out right before my questioned part

[@ocsplc]

Tomas: where can I buy the movable torsion suspension because I didn’t install A4? I searched Google high and lo. Nothing!

[@alvaroortiz9346]

Hey Tomas, I have to buy a jagdpanther. Should I go with this kit or with the Rye Field models one? I have heard that RF is super detailed, do you know if it has fotoetched parts? Please, i need help... :( Im looking for detail and quality. Thanks!

[@stevieRay3211]

RF has two kits, one with full interior and the other is almost as detailed - torsion bars and lots of subassemblies. The Meng JP falls somewhere between the Tamiya kit - easiest - and the RF kit - the most complex. Price-wise you can't beat Meng. This page, if you scroll down, has all the sprues and other bits displayed for one of the RF kits. On that page you can also have a look at the instructions. GL with your GP!! www.scalemates.com/kits/rye-field-model-rm-5031-jagdpanther-g2--1240885

[@alvaroortiz9346]

@@stevieRay3211 thank youu!! The prize doesnt bother me. And between dragon takom and Rye Field? Sorry for been a little bit anoying hehehe

[@stevieRay3211]

Questions are never annoying. Dragon kits are always complex but their "Smart Kit" series tends to be a little more simplified. Dragon kits are expensive and sometimes hard to find, and are comparable to the Takom kits for complexity. Some of the Dragon kits have zimmerit molded on. If you go to this link, scroll down to the time line where you can click on each release and see their details. If you decide on the Takom or Dragon kits, be prepared to spend quite a bit of time on them but some people like that level of detail and the work that's involved. I've built a few Dragon kits but I'm always put off by the price. Once you throw in your paint and supplies, I sometimes find it hard to justify the price. Still if you've never built a Dragon kit and love lots of detail and work, then give it a try. www.scalemates.com/kits/dragon-6924-jagdpanther-ausfg1-late-production-ausfg2--1186022

[@alvaroortiz9346]

@@stevieRay3211 many thanks!

[@ocsplc]

Dear Tomas: I’m building this kit and on Section 3 of the lower hull build I’m confused: there’s a symbol that there’s an optional part but it’s not clear which one it is. Is it the D7-D14 component or the A26-F35 component?? It’s holding me up!,@#& Dan

[@stevieRay3211]

Each option is made up of two parts - option 1 is D7&+D14 and option 2 is A26+F35. You decide which subassembly to use. The instructions call it "optional" but since the kit is made in China, sometimes their English translation is a bit dodgy. They probably meant "option" as in use either one but not both. 🙂

[@ocsplc]

@@stevieRay3211 Duh. You make these maddening conundrums easy to understand which is why I subscribed and follow all of your videos on the kits I’m building. I’ve always had an issue with some mechanical writers which include model building instruction writing. The way it looks on paper is that one of them goes in the only possible last spot but then they mention another part is optional but have no arrows going to the attachment location but you just solved the cypher my friend. Thanks!

[@stevieRay3211]

Navigating the land mines in instructions comes with experience. Makes one appreciate Tamiya since even a baboon could likely follow theirs. Some are absolutely hideous; some Trumpeter kits and the early ICM kits come to mind. Easier to throw the instructions away rather than trying to wrestle with them. Dragon kits are a real rat's maze too. Good luck.