Wanting to do another Steel Wheel’er and having the RFM kit on hand I started this Project. The already much published and built Steel Wheel Panthers #211 & 221 did not really catch my creative attention yet. Not wanting do anything “fictional” #201 became a tempting candidate.
Here is a brief summary of #201 history I found on the net:
“Panther Ausf .G №201 was commanded by SS-Obersturmführer Friedrich Christ of 2. Kompanie, SS.Panzer-Regiment.1, Kampfgruppe Peiper. The rest of the crew consisted of gunner SS-Unterscharführer Hans Pletz, loader Heinz Hepp, driver SS-Unterscharführer Otto Lesau and radio operator SS-Unterscharführer Helmuth Dietz. It was abandoned on 23 December 1944 in front of “Aux Écuries de la Reine” (Rediger Hotel) in La Gleize.”
To date I only found two pictures of this Panther …. any additional info would be much appreciated.
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The Echelon “Interpretation” is useful but unfortunately they interchanged the colours as the original photo proves.
Next thing is the Fahrgestell-Nummer stencilled on the front hull plate.
Having previously built Panther #231 the number 125052 is confirmed on this photo. The last 2 digits on #201 I haven’t been able to identify yet. My theory is that, looking at the camo scheme, #201 was finished shortly before #231. My original reasoning lay with the reduction of the RAL 7028 % when comparing both tanks, but then again Panther #211 / Fahrgestell-Nummer 121047 was produced prior with hardly any RAL 7028 portions in comparison to # 231 & 201.
Panther #221 is believed to have had Fahrgestell-Nummer “121055”, although not having the raised heating unit installed as the other two, which could otherwise indicate one of the earlier produced tanks. But #221 has also significantly reduced portion of RAL 7028 in its appearance.
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So here is my interpretation of how #201 could have looked like so far ….
I will confess that the camo scheme on the front hull plate does not really cause true enthusiasm on my behalf, as I can’t embrace the “wavy” RAL 7028 arrangement. ….. a matter of personal “Ethetics” if that makes much sense.
Cheers
Christopher
PS: This is not the final scheme yet … minor alterations to be expected … as always. 
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So with the basic camo layout finished I then “sprinkle” the whole vehicle with a heavily diluted mix of Black & Dark Brown using a soft toothbrush. No science behind it …. just randomly cover everything. On the top decks I wait a while for the mixture to “thicken” after vaporating a bit and then apply more opaque splatters mostly around the engine deck.
When that has dried a bit I then use a more prominent mixture to shadow weld seams, nuts & bolts, recessed areas and individual larger spots a basis for later applied “spills”. After everything is dry I seal the whole kit while VMS Flat Varnish.
Cheers
Christopher
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Once everything has dried I then go over each individual colour again with a diluted mixture of the same. This way I tone down the “Sprinkels” to a lesser prominent appearance but enough to create a subtle weathered base coat. In this instance I used the final /different Green tone which is of a little lighter shade than the more brighter colour I applied previously. This final Green mixture was running low in my stock being the reason I chose a similar Green in the previous steps as a base coat.
Comparing the overall chosen colours in comparison to the original BW photo seem relatively authentic in my eyes.
Cheers
Christopher
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Here’s a little progress getting the 3D printed tracks on and the basic weathering of the road wheels. Applied the decals …. my assumption Panther #231 with the documented Fahrgestellnummer 121052 was completed shortly after #201 … I chose to number it 121050 with no proof of authenticity. Also not confirmed is if #201 had the turret numbers replicated on the top rear left corner. The other Steel Wheeler’s apparently didn’t so I thought … why not … this project stays 60% fictional anyway. I intend to finish the rear hull camo this weekend and other minor tasks to complete the kit ready for the actual weathering process.
Cheers
Christopher
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So here some minor progress ….
Finished the pre-weathering with oil paints and finished most tools with 3D clamps.
Added the spare tracks as per foto evidence …
I used the track set offered by DN Studio for the spares and I must say these are the best 3D printed set of tracks I have used to date. Nice crisp detail, no cleaning up and after about 15 min. I assembled all the track-section needed. A fabulous product indeed 
Cheers
Christopher
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Slowly but surely …
After adding the tools I tried out some camo netting to give this model a “individual” touch in comparison. Some foliage will be added and figures are in the making. I’ll have to find the right balance not covering up too much of the unique camo.
As you might have noticed … finishing a model is a longer endeavour with me.
Cheers
Christopher
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Wow that looks excellent. Great job on the camouflage!
I think I have a set of tracks from DN Studio in my stash, can’t remember for which kit lol…..
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