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Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
E-50 Standardpanzer build log
spitfire303
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Posted: Monday, November 10, 2014 - 03:59 AM UTC
Hi Folks,

It has been a while since I posted a build log here on Armorama. This time I've chosen to model the E-50 German tank. It will be upgraded with several items from Paper Panzer Productions ( http://www.paperpanzer.com/ ), a new company coming from Belgium driven by my friend and a long time Armorama forum member.

So what do we have here:

the base: The E-50 Tank by Trumpeter, well.. I'll need few parts from this box



A newly designed Paper Panzer Productions (PPP) turret which is accompanied by a RB model gun barrel (it is included in the PPP turret set)



An additional armour plates for this turret (it's not yet listed on the PPP site and I think I got a pre production set! It's good to know the owner LOL



Resin PPP wheels:



Resin set of exhausts, exhaust covers and ... a towing device seen for example on a unfinished King Tiger in the Kassel factory









Set of "mystery brackets" seen on some Panthers and Tigers during WWII. As the name says they are quite a mystery today as no one really know what was their intended role (if any one knows ... just share this information pls ). It's a short way from Panther to a E-50 (let's say so..) so I decide to use this item here



If I have enough of skill and patience I'll use some photo etched PPP casting marks



Finally, with ha help of a friend I should add those figures at the end of the journey "Panzer Crew 1946"






I'll post some build pics very soon. I hope you'll enjoy it. Any comments are welcomed.

spit



MikeyBugs95
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Posted: Monday, November 10, 2014 - 11:48 AM UTC
Definitely looks interesting. It's nice having friends in high places. Paper Panzers Productions sure does look promising. If they ever come out with a US armor/detail line I'd definitely have to give them a look-see.

Kind of hard to believe that something weighing between 50-75 tons could be a medium tank but the the M48 Patton weighed just under 50 tons so...
PantherF
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Posted: Monday, November 10, 2014 - 03:00 PM UTC
I'll be watching!


Jeff
Klinker
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Posted: Monday, November 10, 2014 - 03:40 PM UTC
Great to see you back Pawel ... looking forward to what you do with the E50 after the Panther G and the KingTiger. I got this kit last week along some PanzerArt KT late war wheels and a RM 7.5cm KwK 44 L/70 barrel to fit, go figure?
The Paper Panzer products are very well done and I am very tempted by their E50 turret, especially because of that KT adaptor ring that comes with the turret.

Subscribed
spitfire303
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Posted: Monday, November 10, 2014 - 05:57 PM UTC
Thank you guys.

Yes, the turret fits a lot of kits. King Tigers, Panthers, E-50/75. It's really a solid kit. I'll post some more detailed pictures during the build.

thx

spit
ninjrk
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Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 - 03:09 AM UTC
Yeah, this will be a blog that I will follow closely as those aftermarket sets look great. One thing I learned from my build (not sure if it will apply with the aftermarket roadwheels) was that the wheels are really loose on the cylinder mounts. When I build the kit again, I'll glue the roadwheels to the mounts and leave the assemblies loose. Especially because they will friction fit to the hull nicely.
PantherF
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Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 - 03:12 PM UTC
Yes, the thread and the current Panther Campaign had me dusting off my old E-50 project that needs final assembly. Even though it's only OOB, I'm even thinking of a second kit now that I see what can be done to her.

Thanks Pawel!




Jeff
spitfire303
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Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 - 10:33 PM UTC
You are welcome Jeff. I've always wondered how many panther like tanks you have modelled (your nickname may have something to do with it)

spit
leonhzy
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Posted: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - 10:19 AM UTC
Looking forward to it!
spitfire303
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Posted: Friday, November 14, 2014 - 09:23 PM UTC
Hi,

I was wondering about the kit tracks. I certainly won't use those clumsy ones that come with the kit. I could use the Tiger II late (single links) but I don't really like their look as they are a bit too wide (visually). So this is the last choice but not the most wanted one. Other choices? KT transport tracks? Panther tracks?

thx for any input
spit
PantherF
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Posted: Friday, November 14, 2014 - 09:35 PM UTC
The kits sprockets are pretty wide... maybe a replacement here if going with a narrower version?

LIKE a KT 18-T?



Jeff
spitfire303
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2014 - 01:08 AM UTC
I'll check the sprockets and compare them. Shouldn't be a problem to find dragon's 18 teeth in my stash
ComradeMP
#0
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2014 - 06:51 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi,

I was wondering about the kit tracks. I certainly won't use those clumsy ones that come with the kit. I could use the Tiger II late (single links) but I don't really like their look as they are a bit too wide (visually). So this is the last choice but not the most wanted one. Other choices? KT transport tracks? Panther tracks?

thx for any input
spit



I'm working on one of these kits for the WOT II campaign, while my version has lots of differences,it's nice to see someone build one of these.

Hobby Boss KT late tracks are smaller than the kit tracks, though just slightly, about .8mm. But are pretty nice, I have some waiting to be put on.

Don't know if you've started on the suspension yet but to make things a bit easier I'd suggest you only glue the outer road wheel arm first. I managed to get those straight and level easily enough but the inner arms were harder to get right. There's some small play in the slot for them. Glue the wheels on, and after she's dry and ready you glue the inner arms and wheels so you'll surely get them nice and level.
John_O
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Posted: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - 12:16 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi,

I was wondering about the kit tracks. I certainly won't use those clumsy ones that come with the kit. I could use the Tiger II late (single links) but I don't really like their look as they are a bit too wide (visually). So this is the last choice but not the most wanted one. Other choices? KT transport tracks? Panther tracks?

thx for any input
spit



Hey Spit,

The E-50 was intended to roll on KT transport tracks, the E-75 on KT combat tracks, or at least that's how the story goes AAIK.

Thanks for this build!

John
PantherF
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Posted: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 - 01:16 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Hi,

I was wondering about the kit tracks. I certainly won't use those clumsy ones that come with the kit. I could use the Tiger II late (single links) but I don't really like their look as they are a bit too wide (visually). So this is the last choice but not the most wanted one. Other choices? KT transport tracks? Panther tracks?

thx for any input
spit



Hey Spit,

The E-50 was intended to roll on KT transport tracks, the E-75 on KT combat tracks, or at least that's how the story goes AAIK.

Thanks for this build!

John




Now the Panther II was to use the narrower transport track, but I believe the E-50 they wanted to decrease the ground pressure even more so the even wider tracks were supposed to be offered.

On MY E-50, those wider tracks look odd and with the fender extensions removed they stick out so I intend to use regular Panther combat tracks with the standard sprockets. Transport tracks (I already tried) look too small. I hope the guide teeth will allow them to line up with the roadwheels.


That's my opinion and from what I read. Of course, we all enjoy the opportunity of varying the standard. LOL







Jeff
spitfire303
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Posted: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 02:00 AM UTC
Hi,

sorry for the delay but I had to finish a little thing before.

Well, I started with the rear plate. I used the PPP exhausts set. The kit exhausts (Tiger II style) didn't seem to match the E-50 to me. The more like Panther solution seemed natural.
The wholes for fittings for the wooden block and the jack were filled with putty as it is pure heresy on the E-50. They were already not issued from October 1944 and all fittings were to be abandoned completely by march 1945.



I started work on the upper hull. A lot of wholes to fill... before starting the real work.



I must check my spare box but I thought using the Panther G raised heater on the right side. Could be nice?

spit
Braille
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Posted: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 11:26 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I must check my spare box but I thought using the Panther G raised heater on the right side. Could be nice?
spit



@spitfire303 – Pawel,

It’s good to see you fiddling around again with the plastic, knife, glue and putty . . . it’s been a long while for me too! Count me in. I’m checking this one out in between diaper changes . . .

The rear deck configuration on this kit and the E-75 represents that of the proposed July ’45 Tiger II of which introduced a number of new features one being that of a low profile crew compartment heater around the right air exhaust fan (represented in the same area by the raised oval shaped plate(s) on the kit). This feature appears to stand a bit more proud of the rear deck on the Jentz & Dole VK45.02 to Tiger II book reference drawing – just saying! Don’t know if these were separate parts or cast as part of each right side air exhaust plate to make room for the heater underneath?

Also, as you may or not already know, that these vehicles were designed from the onset to have the drive wheels located at the rear and idlers up front.

Looks like you already have a good start on this big kitty what with plenty of add-on goodies to keep you busy for a while.

~ Eddy
leonhzy
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Posted: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 01:13 PM UTC
The steel road wheel suppose to be double layer or single? I mean Trumpeter offers single layer but i believe double layer is better both in visual and logic.
spitfire303
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Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 02:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I must check my spare box but I thought using the Panther G raised heater on the right side. Could be nice?
spit



@spitfire303 – Pawel,

It’s good to see you fiddling around again with the plastic, knife, glue and putty . . . it’s been a long while for me too! Count me in. I’m checking this one out in between diaper changes . . .

The rear deck configuration on this kit and the E-75 represents that of the proposed July ’45 Tiger II of which introduced a number of new features one being that of a low profile crew compartment heater around the right air exhaust fan (represented in the same area by the raised oval shaped plate(s) on the kit). This feature appears to stand a bit more proud of the rear deck on the Jentz & Dole VK45.02 to Tiger II book reference drawing – just saying! Don’t know if these were separate parts or cast as part of each right side air exhaust plate to make room for the heater underneath?

Also, as you may or not already know, that these vehicles were designed from the onset to have the drive wheels located at the rear and idlers up front.

Looks like you already have a good start on this big kitty what with plenty of add-on goodies to keep you busy for a while.

~ Eddy



Hi Eddy,

Nice to see you again mate! It makes me think about the old times when I started over here Well , diaper episode is finished for me (children are 8 and 5!). Good luck!

Good point on the heater. I wanted to ask as I thought that there would be a catch here. If I get it right you say that the sprocket should be on the rear and the idler on the front? I've made a quick search and haven't found any info about it. I'm not a paper panzer specialist so... I don't know.

leonhzy,

do you mean the tracks with single guiding horn?

thank you all
spit
Klinker
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Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 12:45 PM UTC
I really like the look of the PPP exhaust set and it looks very well cast.

The problem with both the E50 & E75 is that the drawings/designs are just that 'Design proposals' the way the hull is suggested, a final drive will not fit at either end but as 'Braille' rightly says the E50 was intended to have a rear drive set up, so you could go that way.
Given that and the Paper Panzer aspect of the model and the E50 M turret is fanasty just have fun with it all, that's what it's all about right.

Do a Google search for .....'e50 rear drive' ..... you'll get some drawings of people's interpritaions etc.

Looking forward to whichever way you go with it, I'm going for a final drive up front with all the suspension units (the same as the E75) with KT wheels and transport tracks a more likely version I reckon.

All the best Duncan.
spitfire303
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Posted: Thursday, November 27, 2014 - 11:58 PM UTC
Thanks a lot Duncan. Nice to see you too over here

Well, I don't know if I go into the path of idler on the front and sprocket in the rear. We'll see.

I was obliged to return to the real plate. Wanting add the towing device seen on this unfinished T II



I had a small problem as the part I had didn't want to go between the two exhausts (not enough place). It was explained to me that I should cut off the inner bolts of the exhaust covers as most probably the device was using them to be attached. A bit of surgery and ..; it's done




now the back plate is really finished (minus rear mudguards).

I will attack the upper hull now. It's sure I'll use a lot of Dragon T II parts.



spit
spitfire303
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Posted: Saturday, November 29, 2014 - 01:07 AM UTC
Hi,

the work on the upper hull has started. I used the Paper Panzer Productions Panther mystery brackets seen on some rare vehicles







A question. Trumpeter has made the air intake solid. Is it normal? Was it to be that way? I wanted to add AA plates over all four but if it's solid maybe the protections were to be integrated from the very beginning?

thx for any advice.

spit
Braille
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Posted: Saturday, November 29, 2014 - 11:55 AM UTC

Quoted Text

A question. Trumpeter has made the air intake solid. Is it normal? Was it to be that way? I wanted to add AA plates over all four but if it's solid maybe the protections were to be integrated from the very beginning? Thx for any advice.
spit



@spitfire303 – Pawel,

It appears that on each of these air intake panels there are a series of metal shields placed almost tightly against each other at a very low angle like an almost closed window blind and in this scale they appear as a solid piece. I suspect these panels were preset at such an angle as to prevent debris, shrapnel, small arms fire, etc., from entering the compartment and accumulating against or damaging the radiators or the fuel tanks sitting beside the air intake ramps?

Towards the end of the war the allies had air bursting artillery rounds and the shrapnel from these rounds may have had the capacity to easily penetrate these panels if the round happened to detonate in close proximity above the vehicle and they don’t appear sturdy or solid enough to stop the larger caliber rounds from aircraft? Me, I’d go with the AA panels. As a matter of interest (and haven’t seen that done yet) I’d go with multi-layered spaced AA panels over both the intakes and exhaust openings as used for the turret, just an idea!

What, no lifting hooks for the center rear deck panel? Why would there only be two securing latches for three engine hatches? Is this because you would have to open the center engine hatch first in order to allow for opening of the rear engine hatch?

You’re making good progress on this vehicle; those mystery brackets do look interesting. Funny these brackets in the photograph would appear on an earlier production Panther, perhaps an experimental vehicle?

~ Eddy
spitfire303
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Posted: Saturday, November 29, 2014 - 08:43 PM UTC
Thanks Eddy a lot for your help.

I have an idea,I think I'll use on the rear intakes the Panther G AA plates from voyager they're not like those for KT. On the two on the front I'll fit those from KT as otherwise the turret wouldn't turn.

I'll take a look on the hooks. If you take a look on the PPP site you'll find similar brackets for Tiger I. John has a pic of them too. Fascinating story. Two theories about the possible usage: new, heavier shurtzen or... rocket launcher device (like on the sdkfz 251). I guess we'll never know
spitfire303
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Posted: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 - 03:19 AM UTC
Hi gents

a little progress. AA plates are in place on the upper hull. Also it was not quite visible but all wholes where the shurzen should be fixed received resin hexagon bolts from master club.
Also two handles were added on the engine plate. Two because it's a "late" version






I'm working on the river and radio operator hatches who will also receive double handles following the T II march 45 modification.

bye

spit
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