HM Journal Issue 19 French Chatillon Panhard Artillery Truck

The Blitz 1:32 scale model of the French Chatillon Panhard Artillery Truck is an all-resin kit consisting of 105 numbered parts of which there are 131 separate white metal castings (some, two or more of each), NO decal sheet, basic assembly instructions, but no painting guidelines other than on the box art. This kit is for experienced modelers.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 1

BASIC CHASSIS ASSEMBLY: The chassis is one piece and includes the engine compartment. The four springs are separate.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 2

AXLES and DRIVE SHAFTS: The axles are driven by the arrangement shown above. Power is transferred from a central drive box to four drive shafts. The drive shafts are supported by four brass rods replacing the kit parts which are too fragile.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO Nos. 3

DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT AND CARGO BOX: The driver's compartment as shown consists of a single resin piece that butts up against the engine compartment and consists of the floorboard, seat, and backrest. The cargo box is a one-piece casting open at the top.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 4

SIDE UTILITY BOXES: Two utility boxes, one for tools and one for spare gas cans, are located on either side just to the rear of the central drive differential.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 5

ANOTHER VIEW: This view shows the left side box and a little of the top opening to the cargo box.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 6

CARGO TOP AND FRONT DETAILS: The cargo top fits snuggly into place. The front end has a semi-circle radiator guard and winch added. Framework for the driver compartment's top is made from brass rod to replace the resin kit parts. Two driving lights and large lamp are added to the top edge of the firewall.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 7

MORE DETAILS: The steering column is a brass rod. The the immediate right of the driver's seat on the side are the the bulbous horn and the brake. Following that line forward, you can barely see the brass rod supports for the fender, three in number. At the front are brass bumper guards/tow hooks.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 8

REAR BUMPER GUARDS/TOW HOOKS: Again, these are made from brass rod.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 9

DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT: The canvas canopy top over the driver's compartment has been super glued in place. The steering wheel is added here for show because it will be removed for painting. Not clearly visible are the front fenders glued to the brass rod supports.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 10

FIRST PAINTING - My version of a typical French three-color vehicle camouflage was created free-hand using three Vallejo colors: 846 Mahogany Sand, 890 Reflective Green, and 914 Green Ochre. I haven't gone over with a second coat, yet. I'm thinking that the brown has a bit too much of red and the ochre is a bit too dark. The underside of the vehicle was painted in Vallejo 870 Medium Sea Gray. I believe metal parts were factory-primed in gray so I left some parts in that color. The next step is to decide on the shades of brown and ochre and apply a second coat.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 11

SECOND PAINTING - The first version shown above in photo #10, was modified by substituting 914 Green Ochre for 912 Tan Yellow which is lighter and, to me, looks better.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 12

THIRD PAINTING - Satisfied with the lighter 912 Tan Yellow shade, I went ahead and applied Vallejo 950 Flat Black as the separator between the camouflage colors. None of the camouflage colors will now have their second coat of paint.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 13

SERIAL NUMBER AND POLY OVERSPRAY - Looking like a brand new "off-the-production-line" vehicle, my Panhard has a serial number which I took from Archer sheet AG084W British War Department Numbers, Non-stencil Type (White). I am researching the few photos I have that may have additional markings for my model.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No. 14

DUSTED AND DONE - My on-going research into further markings with historical background has not yet turned up any reliable references other than a couple of photos showing unexplained markings. To complete the model at this stage, I opened a bottle of MIG Pigments P028 European Dust and liberally applied dust all over the vehicle using a 1/2" makeup brush. "Voila - c'est finis!"

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No.

ANOTHER VIEW: This view shows the left side box and a little of the top opening to the cargo box.

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