Tamiya 1:48 Panther Ausf G

This is our first 1:48 scale kit after a string of 1:76 and 1:72 kits, so it's interesting to see the comparison 

Converting Martini into Undercarriage Assemblies 1/2 

Converting Martini into Undercarriage Assemblies 2/2 

Testing base sizing / placement 

Base contoured with plaster (Spakfilla) and track sections used to make impressions in the plaster prior to assembly 

Word of warning with this kit, you'll be instructed to install the lower frontal plate quite early in the build - DO NOT DO IT - Wait until you're ready to mate the upper and lower hulls, otherwise you could end up with a massive misclose with the parts like I did 

LFP / UFP misclose very visible 

Completed Assembly 

Completed Assembly 

Completed Assembly 

Completed Assembly 

Primed in Tamiya TS-3 Dark Yellow 

AK Terrains Muddy Ground used to cover UFP/LFP misclose after filling/sanding did not produce a satisfactory result
A mix of dark acrylic paints were brushed into recesses that will likely be in the shadow of airbrushing during base-coating 

Two coats of AK Terrains Muddy Ground were applied over the plaster base to improve texture and seal plaster 

Pre-Shading and Post-Shading isn't expected to add much value to this kit with its 3-tone camouflage, so I've taken some advice to try simulating some of the deeper weathering. In this case, I've chased the undercarriage and panel lines with Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black 

It's coming up alright pending a few touch-ups...