SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511. s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region 1946

Dizzyfugu · March 28, 2015, 07:49:00 AM

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
The Parder was a successor of the Tiger I & II tanks, combining the latter's thick armor with the armor sloping used on the Panther medium tank (which was, in fact, inspired by Soviet designs, most of all by the T-34). While several Entwicklungspanzer designs were under development, the Parder was a short-term attempt to overcome the Tiger II's main shortcoming: its weight of almost seventy metric tons (it was protected by up to 180 mm/7.1" of front armor!), the resulting lack of mobility and an overburdened drivetrain originally intended for a lighter vehicle. Leaking seals and gaskets also took their toll on reliability.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

In order to keep the development phase short the Parder used basically the same chassis as the Tiger II, as well as the engine, transmission and the long barreled 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun. But it reveiced a new hull with optimized armor and many detail modifications that reduced the overall weight by more than ten tons, getting overall weight back to the level of the Tiger I

The SdKfz. 191 used a conventional hull design with sloped armor from all sides, resembling the layout of the T-34 a lot. Its was so effective that the front armor could be reduced to 120 mm (4.7 in) with only little loss in protection. The crew was reduced to four, only the driver remained in the hull and the front machine gun was omitted, too.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The 'Parder' (archaic German term for leopard), how the vehicle was semi-officially christened by the Entwicklungskommission Panzer, had a rear mounted engine and used nine steel-tired overlapping road wheels per side with internal springing, mounted on transverse torsion bars.

The turret had been designed by Krupp and featured a rounded front and steeply sloped sides, with a difficult-to-manufacture curved bulge on the turret's left side to accommodate the commander's cupola (often related to as the "Porsche" turret). The powerful 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun was combined with the Turmzielfernrohr 9d (German "turret telescopic sight") monocular sight by Leitz - a very accurate and deadly weapon.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

During practice, the estimated probability of a first round hit on a 2 m (6 ft 7 in) high, 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) wide target only dropped below 100 percent at ranges beyond 1,000 m (0.62 mi), to 95–97 percent at 1,500 metres (0.93 mi) and 85–87 percent at 2,000 m (1.2 mi), depending on ammunition type. Recorded combat performance was lower, but still over 80 percent at 1,000 m, in the 60s at 1,500 m and the 40s at 2,000 m.

Penetration of armored plate inclined at 30 degrees was 202 and 132 mm (8.0 and 5.2 in) at 100 m (110 yd) and 2,000 m (1.2 mi) respectively for the Panzergranate 39/43 projectile (PzGr—armor-piercing shell), and 238 and 153 mm (9.4 and 6.0 in) for the PzGr. 40/43 projectile between the same ranges. The Sprenggranate 43 (SpGr) high-explosive round was available for soft targets, or the Hohlgranate or Hohlgeschoss 39 (HlGr—HEAT or High explosive anti-tank warhead) round, which had 90 mm (3.5 in) penetration at any range, could be used as a dual-purpose munition against soft or armored targets.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Like all German tanks, the Parder had a gasoline engine; in this case the same 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW) V-12 Maybach HL 230 P30 which powered the Panther, Tiger I and Tiger II tanks. The Tiger II was under-powered with it, though, and consumed a lot of fuel, which was in short supply for the Germans, but in the Parder it proved to be adequate, even though performance was not oustanding. The transmission was the Maybach OLVAR EG 40 12 16 Model B, giving eight forward gears and four reverse, which drove the steering gear.

In order to distribute the tank's weight an extra wide track was used, but this meant that each tank was issued with two sets of tracks: a normal "battle track" and a narrower "transport" version used during rail movement. The transport tracks reduced the overall width of the load and could be used to drive the tank short distances on firm ground.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The Parder was, like many German late war designs, rushed into combat, but thanks to its Tiger I & II heritage many mechanical teething problems had already been corrected. Reliability was considerably improved compared to the much heavier Tiger II, and the Parder did prove to be a very effective fighting vehicle, especially in a defensive role. However, some design flaws, such as its weak final drive units, were never corrected due to raw material shortages, and more tanks were given up by the crews than actually destroyed in combat.

The Parder was issued to heavy tank battalions of the Army (Schwere Heerespanzerabteilung – abbreviated s.H.Pz.Abt) where it replaced the Tiger I & II.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Specifications:
Crew Four (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Weight 54 tonnes (60 short tons)
Length 7.02 metres (23 ft in) (hull only)
10.64 metres (34 ft 10 1/3 in) with gun forward
Width 3.88 metres (12 ft 9 in)
4.14 metres (13 ft 6 3/4 in) with optional Thoma shields
Height 2.84 metres (9 ft 4 in) w/o AA machine gun
Suspension torsion-bar
Ground clearance: 495 to 510 mm (1 ft 7.5 in to 1 ft 8.1 in)
Fuel capacity: 820 l (180 imp gal; 220 US gal)

Armor:
30–120 mm (1.2 – 4.7 in)

Performance:
Speed
- Maximum, road: 41.5 km/h (25.8 mph)
- Sustained, road: 38 km/h (24 mph)
- Cross country: 15 to 20 km/h (9.3 to 12.4 mph)
Operational range: 240 km (150 mi)
Power/weight: 12,96 PS/tonne (11,5 hp/ton)

Engine:
V-12 Maybach HL 230 P30 gasoline with 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)

Transmission:
Maybach OLVAR EG 40 12 16 B (8 forward and 4 reverse)

Armament:
1× 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 with 80 rounds
1× co-axial 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with 3.000 rounds
1× anti aricraft 13mm Maschinengewehr 131 with 250 rounds on the commander's cupola

The kit and its assembly:
Something different... a whif tank! This was spawned from curiosity and the "wish" to build a German vehicle that would fit right into the E-25... E-100 range of experimental tanks.
It was to become a battle tank, and while browsing options and donation kits, I settled upon a replacement for the formidable but heavy and cumbersome Tiger B, also known as Tiger II, Königstiger or (wrongfully translated) King Tiger.

Anyway, creating a tank that would look (late war) German and still be whiffy was trickier than expected, and finally easier than expected, too. My solution would be a kit bashing: using many Tiger B parts (including the stylish Porsche tower and the running gear) and combining it with a hull that would offer better armor angles and look less "boxy".

I effectively bashed two kits: one is the excellent 1:72 early Tiger B from Dragon, the other is Roden's Soviet IS-3 tank – also very nice, even though the styrene is somewhat brittle.

My biggest fear was the running gear – combining the IS-3 hull with the Tiger B's totally different legs scared me a lot – until I found that the parts from both kits (the Tiger B's lower hull with all the suspension and the IS-3's upper hull) could be combined rather easily combined. Just some cuts and improvised intersections, and the "new" tank hull was done!

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

As a side effect, the huge turret moved forward, and this considerably changes the silhouette. The IS-3's opening had only to be widened slightly in order to accept the Porsche turret. Things matched up pretty well, also concerning size and proportions.

Otherwise, not much was changed. All wheels and tracks come from the Trumpeter Tiger B, the turret was also borrowed wholesale. I just changed some details (e. g. moving the spare track elements to the hull front), added some handles and also a heavy AA machine gun on the commander's cupola, which is OOB, too.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Too simple? Well, for me it was not enough. For a more personal edge to the kit I decided to add Thoma skirts! Not the massive 5mm plates you frequently see on late Panzer IV tanks and its derivatives, rather the mesh type – lighter, less material-consuming, and a very special detail.

These were scratched. There are PE sets available, but that was too expensive and I was not certain if such items would fit in shape and size? So I made a cardboard template for the flanks and built a pair of skirts from styrene strips and a fine PET mesh that I had salvaged from a wallet long time ago.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The stuff is hard to glue onto something, so the styrene frame had to carry the mesh parts – and it works! The attachments to the hull were also scratched from styrene.
The Thoma shields add more width to the flat tank, but I think that they set the kit even more apart than just the borrowed IS-3 hull?

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Painting and markings:
Hmmm, not totally happy with the finish. This was supposed to become a simple Hinterhalt (Ambush) paint scheme in Dark Yellow, Olive Green and Red Brown, but I did so much weathering that not much from the scheme can be recognized...

Painting was straightforward, though – I used Humbrol 94 and 173 as well as Modelmaster's RAL 6003 as basic colors. The scheme's benchmark is the "official" Tiger B scheme.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The basic colors received mottles in green on the yellow and yellow on the green and brown, and then the thing was thoroughly weathered with a black ink wash, dry-brushing, some aquarelle paint to simulate dust, and finally some pigments that simulate mud.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The tracks are made from soft vinyl, and also received a paint treatment in order to get rid of that shiny vinyl look: at first, with a mix of black and silver, which was immediately wiped off again, and later with a second, similar turn with silver and dark brown.

The mud was added just before the whole running gear was mounted as one of the final assembly stages, and final retouches were made with acrylic umbra paint.

Alas, I think I overdid it – much of the formidable and very attractive paint scheme was lost, even though the yucky, brownish finish now also works fine and looks like rough duty?

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

So, an experiment with good and bad results. Certainly not the last whif tank (at least one more on the agenda), and after so many aircraft a new kind of challenge. ^^

PR19_Kit · March 28, 2015, 11:14:35 AM

Strewth, he builds tanks too!

Thorvic · March 28, 2015, 01:36:58 PM

Yeap just what i was thinking Kit and its a pretty damn good looking tank too. Excellent work

Captain Canada · March 28, 2015, 01:43:23 PM

Nice one ! I like the look of that hull and turret combo for sure. Great job on this one, and nice to see you branch out !

ChernayaAkula · March 28, 2015, 03:42:07 PM

What a wicked design!

Very cool!

zenrat · March 29, 2015, 03:54:19 AM

Nice.

Dizzyfugu · March 29, 2015, 04:32:52 AM

Quote from: Captain Canada on March 28, 2015, 01:43:23 PM
Nice one ! I like the look of that hull and turret combo for sure. Great job on this one, and nice to see you branch out !

Thank you. Just a detour to a much earlier phase. I built some (many?) 1:76 and 1:72 tank kits (Matchbox an ESCI) when I was in school, ans also some in 1:35 later - and the mecha kits in between are also close to military vehicles. It's still there... and trying out a different subject does not hurt.

Glad you like it - things unfolded in a different way than expected, but the result is good.

buzzbomb · March 29, 2015, 03:46:04 PM

Lots of wow there, the back story, the idea and the finished model

Dizzyfugu · March 30, 2015, 12:14:43 AM

Thank you very much!

Cobra · March 30, 2015, 01:42:25 AM

This was a Masterpiece Build

You did a Top Notch Job,IMHO! Keep up the Superb Work

Dan

Dizzyfugu · March 30, 2015, 07:51:29 AM

Thank you, Dan.

ChernayaAkula · March 30, 2015, 08:34:48 AM

Okay, all modern tanks being inspired by the T-34 is one thing, but it just occurred to me that this design, with the well-sloped sides and rounded mantlet, looks like somebody took the basic T-34/76 design and simply scaled it up a few notches.

I really like the pointed glacis plate.

Again, very cool design and build!

Dizzyfugu · March 31, 2015, 03:51:24 AM

That impression is not far-fetched. The IS-3 was the first of the Soviet heavy tanks (KW heritage) that sported the T-34-style hull with sloped sides and especially the front. All models before had more or less flat surfaces - even though thick armor. As a side note, German designers also had things on the drawing board that resembled the T-34 a lot - alternatives or successors to the Panther, including the angled rear and the turret in the forward position (called VK 3001, IIRC), so this whif tank is not as fantastic as it might seem...

SpicyJuan · July 23, 2018, 02:41:06 PM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on March 28, 2015, 07:49:00 AM
1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
The Parder was a successor of the Tiger I & II tanks, combining the latter's thick armor with the armor sloping used on the Panther medium tank (which was, in fact, inspired by Soviet designs, most of all by the T-34). While several Entwicklungspanzer designs were under development, the Parder was a short-term attempt to overcome the Tiger II's main shortcoming: its weight of almost seventy metric tons (it was protected by up to 180 mm/7.1" of front armor!), the resulting lack of mobility and an overburdened drivetrain originally intended for a lighter vehicle. Leaking seals and gaskets also took their toll on reliability.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

In order to keep the development phase short the Parder used basically the same chassis as the Tiger II, as well as the engine, transmission and the long barreled 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun. But it reveiced a new hull with optimized armor and many detail modifications that reduced the overall weight by more than ten tons, getting overall weight back to the level of the Tiger I

The SdKfz. 191 used a conventional hull design with sloped armor from all sides, resembling the layout of the T-34 a lot. Its was so effective that the front armor could be reduced to 120 mm (4.7 in) with only little loss in protection. The crew was reduced to four, only the driver remained in the hull and the front machine gun was omitted, too.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The 'Parder' (archaic German term for leopard), how the vehicle was semi-officially christened by the Entwicklungskommission Panzer, had a rear mounted engine and used nine steel-tired overlapping road wheels per side with internal springing, mounted on transverse torsion bars.

The turret had been designed by Krupp and featured a rounded front and steeply sloped sides, with a difficult-to-manufacture curved bulge on the turret's left side to accommodate the commander's cupola (often related to as the "Porsche" turret). The powerful 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun was combined with the Turmzielfernrohr 9d (German "turret telescopic sight") monocular sight by Leitz - a very accurate and deadly weapon.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

During practice, the estimated probability of a first round hit on a 2 m (6 ft 7 in) high, 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) wide target only dropped below 100 percent at ranges beyond 1,000 m (0.62 mi), to 95–97 percent at 1,500 metres (0.93 mi) and 85–87 percent at 2,000 m (1.2 mi), depending on ammunition type. Recorded combat performance was lower, but still over 80 percent at 1,000 m, in the 60s at 1,500 m and the 40s at 2,000 m.

Penetration of armored plate inclined at 30 degrees was 202 and 132 mm (8.0 and 5.2 in) at 100 m (110 yd) and 2,000 m (1.2 mi) respectively for the Panzergranate 39/43 projectile (PzGr—armor-piercing shell), and 238 and 153 mm (9.4 and 6.0 in) for the PzGr. 40/43 projectile between the same ranges. The Sprenggranate 43 (SpGr) high-explosive round was available for soft targets, or the Hohlgranate or Hohlgeschoss 39 (HlGr—HEAT or High explosive anti-tank warhead) round, which had 90 mm (3.5 in) penetration at any range, could be used as a dual-purpose munition against soft or armored targets.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Like all German tanks, the Parder had a gasoline engine; in this case the same 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW) V-12 Maybach HL 230 P30 which powered the Panther, Tiger I and Tiger II tanks. The Tiger II was under-powered with it, though, and consumed a lot of fuel, which was in short supply for the Germans, but in the Parder it proved to be adequate, even though performance was not oustanding. The transmission was the Maybach OLVAR EG 40 12 16 Model B, giving eight forward gears and four reverse, which drove the steering gear.

In order to distribute the tank's weight an extra wide track was used, but this meant that each tank was issued with two sets of tracks: a normal "battle track" and a narrower "transport" version used during rail movement. The transport tracks reduced the overall width of the load and could be used to drive the tank short distances on firm ground.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The Parder was, like many German late war designs, rushed into combat, but thanks to its Tiger I & II heritage many mechanical teething problems had already been corrected. Reliability was considerably improved compared to the much heavier Tiger II, and the Parder did prove to be a very effective fighting vehicle, especially in a defensive role. However, some design flaws, such as its weak final drive units, were never corrected due to raw material shortages, and more tanks were given up by the crews than actually destroyed in combat.

The Parder was issued to heavy tank battalions of the Army (Schwere Heerespanzerabteilung – abbreviated s.H.Pz.Abt) where it replaced the Tiger I & II.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Specifications:
Crew Four (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Weight 54 tonnes (60 short tons)
Length 7.02 metres (23 ft in) (hull only)
10.64 metres (34 ft 10 1/3 in) with gun forward
Width 3.88 metres (12 ft 9 in)
4.14 metres (13 ft 6 3/4 in) with optional Thoma shields
Height 2.84 metres (9 ft 4 in) w/o AA machine gun
Suspension torsion-bar
Ground clearance: 495 to 510 mm (1 ft 7.5 in to 1 ft 8.1 in)
Fuel capacity: 820 l (180 imp gal; 220 US gal)

Armor:
30–120 mm (1.2 – 4.7 in)

Performance:
Speed
- Maximum, road: 41.5 km/h (25.8 mph)
- Sustained, road: 38 km/h (24 mph)
- Cross country: 15 to 20 km/h (9.3 to 12.4 mph)
Operational range: 240 km (150 mi)
Power/weight: 12,96 PS/tonne (11,5 hp/ton)

Engine:
V-12 Maybach HL 230 P30 gasoline with 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)

Transmission:
Maybach OLVAR EG 40 12 16 B (8 forward and 4 reverse)

Armament:
1× 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 with 80 rounds
1× co-axial 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with 3.000 rounds
1× anti aricraft 13mm Maschinengewehr 131 with 250 rounds on the commander's cupola

The kit and its assembly:
Something different... a whif tank! This was spawned from curiosity and the "wish" to build a German vehicle that would fit right into the E-25... E-100 range of experimental tanks.
It was to become a battle tank, and while browsing options and donation kits, I settled upon a replacement for the formidable but heavy and cumbersome Tiger B, also known as Tiger II, Königstiger or (wrongfully translated) King Tiger.

Anyway, creating a tank that would look (late war) German and still be whiffy was trickier than expected, and finally easier than expected, too. My solution would be a kit bashing: using many Tiger B parts (including the stylish Porsche tower and the running gear) and combining it with a hull that would offer better armor angles and look less "boxy".

I effectively bashed two kits: one is the excellent 1:72 early Tiger B from Dragon, the other is Roden's Soviet IS-3 tank – also very nice, even though the styrene is somewhat brittle.

My biggest fear was the running gear – combining the IS-3 hull with the Tiger B's totally different legs scared me a lot – until I found that the parts from both kits (the Tiger B's lower hull with all the suspension and the IS-3's upper hull) could be combined rather easily combined. Just some cuts and improvised intersections, and the "new" tank hull was done!

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

As a side effect, the huge turret moved forward, and this considerably changes the silhouette. The IS-3's opening had only to be widened slightly in order to accept the Porsche turret. Things matched up pretty well, also concerning size and proportions.

Otherwise, not much was changed. All wheels and tracks come from the Trumpeter Tiger B, the turret was also borrowed wholesale. I just changed some details (e. g. moving the spare track elements to the hull front), added some handles and also a heavy AA machine gun on the commander's cupola, which is OOB, too.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Too simple? Well, for me it was not enough. For a more personal edge to the kit I decided to add Thoma skirts! Not the massive 5mm plates you frequently see on late Panzer IV tanks and its derivatives, rather the mesh type – lighter, less material-consuming, and a very special detail.

These were scratched. There are PE sets available, but that was too expensive and I was not certain if such items would fit in shape and size? So I made a cardboard template for the flanks and built a pair of skirts from styrene strips and a fine PET mesh that I had salvaged from a wallet long time ago.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The stuff is hard to glue onto something, so the styrene frame had to carry the mesh parts – and it works! The attachments to the hull were also scratched from styrene.
The Thoma shields add more width to the flat tank, but I think that they set the kit even more apart than just the borrowed IS-3 hull?

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Painting and markings:
Hmmm, not totally happy with the finish. This was supposed to become a simple Hinterhalt (Ambush) paint scheme in Dark Yellow, Olive Green and Red Brown, but I did so much weathering that not much from the scheme can be recognized...

Painting was straightforward, though – I used Humbrol 94 and 173 as well as Modelmaster's RAL 6003 as basic colors. The scheme's benchmark is the "official" Tiger B scheme.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The basic colors received mottles in green on the yellow and yellow on the green and brown, and then the thing was thoroughly weathered with a black ink wash, dry-brushing, some aquarelle paint to simulate dust, and finally some pigments that simulate mud.

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The tracks are made from soft vinyl, and also received a paint treatment in order to get rid of that shiny vinyl look: at first, with a mix of black and silver, which was immediately wiped off again, and later with a second, similar turn with silver and dark brown.

The mud was added just before the whole running gear was mounted as one of the final assembly stages, and final retouches were made with acrylic umbra paint.

Alas, I think I overdid it – much of the formidable and very attractive paint scheme was lost, even though the yucky, brownish finish now also works fine and looks like rough duty?

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 191 "Parder" with Thoma shields; 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

So, an experiment with good and bad results. Certainly not the last whif tank (at least one more on the agenda), and after so many aircraft a new kind of challenge. ^^

Sorry for necroing this thread but could you please reupload some of your photos as they don't exist anymore?

Dizzyfugu · July 23, 2018, 11:55:41 PM

The pics exist, but have been updated in the original source - the embedding code changes through this, unfortunately. I am too lazy to update all the posts - pls. click on one of the still working/original pics, and you will land in the respective FlickR photostream with the pics you are looking for close by.

Or dive through the thematic albums in my FlickR account - the Heer '46 kits are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/albums/72157651545481996