ICM's 1/35 Bergepanther (Early Version)
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Bergepanther
 I
suggest you read the 'in
box' review of this kit for more details of kit contents. This kit
is a replica of an early version of the Bergepanther tank recovery vehicle
produced and used by the German army during World War II. This was a turret-less
Panther tank, lacking the heavy ground spade and heavy duty winch which
equipped later versions of this vehicle. It was outfitted with tow bars,
a retractable jib crane which could be set up on either side of the deck,
and was able to lift loads  such
as engines or transmissions. Other fixtures included an extra large and
strong towing pintle, and provision for extra tools and equipment to tow
or assist in repairing disabled tanks, as well as other vehicles.
This example was, for the most part, built box stock. Modifications/additions
include zimmerit coating, engine deck vent screens, more spare track,
tow cables, tools and boxes, and a figure. Most probably during handling
for previous photos, or the chaos of my worktable, parts of the rigging
for the crane were broken, so they were replaced with chain, nylon string,
and scratch-built pulleys. Ambroid Pro-Weld and cyaonoacrylate glue were
used throughout for assembly.
Construction
 Steps
1 through 9, no problems encountered so far. The torsion bar arms lock
positively into place, and line up well. The rubber portions of the road
wheels were dinged and chipped prior to painting and installation. The
hull sides behind the wheels were painted and weathered before the wheels
were installed. The exhaust pipes were left off, as well as parts B-10
& 11, until the zimmerit coating was applied.
Step 10, the jack was repaired as there was a large sink mark marring
the bottom. The mount was scratchbuilt from aluminum strip and Grandt
line wing nuts.
Steps 11 through 14, the tow shackles were cleaned up but were left off
until later. The driver's visor was glued closed, therefore the hinge
mechanism was not used. The periscopes, parts A-20, fit well and look
good, as did the guards over them. All the handles on the various hatches
were replaced with bent copper wire.
Step 15, the driver's roof plate, part B-42, was oversized and will not
fit into its opening without extensive sanding all around. I would estimate
that it is at least 1/32 inch too big in all directions. One of the hatches
fits wellbut the other, B-43, would drop freely through the opening if
not for the hinge pivot. I glued a strip of .020 thick styrene around
the inside of the opening, sanding it flush with the top after curing.
It was at this point that I installed the tracks, using the individual
links supplied in the kit. The links were sprayed a dark grey-brown color
while still on the sprues. When dry, they were cut from the sprues and
cleaned up as needed. Using masking tape secured sticky side up, I connected
enough links to reach from under the last road wheel to half way around
the drive sprocket. They were glued all at once using liquid cement. When
they had stiffened some, the track run was bent to shape and secured to
the model with tape to finish curing. Lower runs for both sides were done
in one session.
When fully dry, the runs were removed and dirtied up on their inner surfaces,
then glued into place, taking care to return each to its original side.
The upper track runs were treated in the same way.
Step 16, the upper hull was fitted to the lower hull. A little filing
and fitting work was needed to get a tight fit. I encountered a gap behind
the rearmost intake grills that needed filling with styrene strip and
sanding. After this assembly was dry, I added the zimmerit coating to
the hull front, sides and back. I used automotive spot putty for this.
After applying a strip of masking tape to adjacent areas, the putty was
spread on with a piece of X-acto saw blade, which gives the horizontal
ridges. Next the back of a #11 blade was used to add the vertical lines.
Using different spreading tools, other patterns can be created.
Steps 17 through 20, the tool racks B-51 and B-8 were flat sanded to thin
them down, and small squares of .015 thick plastic strip added to the
back to replicate the structures as seen in photos. The spare track holders
A-33 received the same treatment. A track changing cable was made and
wound around the jack block bracket. More than the usual complement of
spare track links were added, secured with wire pins. Tool clasp handles
and retainer pins were added where appropriate. The kit supplied tow cable
ends were used with nylon string for a better appearance. Two gas can
racks were made from thin brass strip and located where the rear stowage
bins normally are located. Wedding veil material was cut to shape and
installed for engine inlet and exhaust fan housing grills. Brass screen
could have been usedbut I did not have any the correct gauge. A strip
brass rack with two basswood unditching beams was added to the upper hull
top. Mounting sockets were added to the bottom of the boom legs, and to
the rear deck in the alternate location spots. As earlier noted, a new
pulley assembly and rigging chain were added to the lifting boom, with
a white metal pulley block at the bottom for weight to keep the new lines
straight.
 The
kit supplied four figures in working dress; these will be used on a future
project. I built and painted the figure from the Tamiya Sturmtiger kit,
with a resin replacement head. I like the casual pose of this particular
figure.
Painting of the upper portions began with a dark brown overall color,
being sure to spray upward on the zimmerit covered areas to hide the red
oxide color of the putty. Next a darker wash was applied to the zimmerited
areas. A dark caramel color was lightly sprayed on next, this time only
on the smooth steel areas. German dark yellow was then applied in a random,
spotty fashion, making sure to allow areas of different shades to show
through A highly thinned highlight color was then randomly applied, concentrating
on upper surfaces. Many different shades of light and dark washes and
filters were used, as was light dry-brushing in selected spots. Gas, oil
and dirt colored drips, drops, spatters and smears were added where I
felt appropriate. Lastly, a sparse metallic rub was applied to edges of
tools, the MG-34, cables, etc.
Conclusion
My overall impression of this kit is quite favorable. Surface detail
is nicely done, and fine detail touches are numerous, extending to the
fine tiny wing nuts supplied for the front fender extensions and for securing
the wooden cover over the turret opening, which also shows effective wood
grain texturing. I found good parts fit overall, with two exceptions.
I thoroughly enjoyed a break from the "big gun" subjects. This
kit, for me, is well recommended, and can be built into a nice addition
to any German armor collection. I would like to thank ICM
for the review sample.
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