Befehls Panther G 151, Ardennes '44 1/35

[MattSz]

Hello.
I started new project, this time something more embedded in the history. Befehls Panther G no.151
from I./SS- Pz.Rgt, Kampfgruppe Peiper, Battle of Stoumont, 12.19.1944, Ardennes offensive.
For this build I will use this kit: Dragon 6847

This is my video review:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/busLYoGJokA
Pötschke's abandoned Befehls Panther in La Gleize

The 151 Befehls. Panther commander: SS-Sturmbannführer Werner Poetschke.
By the way he was very interesting personality, when the first attack on Stoumont broke down, Poetschke left his Panther, went on foot to first-line vehicles and ordered commander 2. Company Panter Friedrich Christ to resume the attack when he refused captured Panzerfaust and threatened to destroy his tank If it does not resume the attack. 2 hours later Gearmns get the town. The Americans lost 315 men, of which 284 were taken captive. As at the same time the Americans recaptured Stavelot, cutting off Kampfgruppe Peiper from the rest of Leibstandarte troops.

Panther 151 position during the battle, 12.19.1944


I found that Potschke's Panther was delivered to the unit at 10th November, so it was produced in October. 151 has two differences in compare with this drawing: earlier mantlet type and lack of mg on the turret top.

I need to use the following parts, corrected for the production time.
-Small idler wheel
-flame vernichter exchausts
- earlier rounded mantlet
- pilzens on the turret top
- a welded handle on the hatch in the back of the turret
- rain guards over the driver's periscope
- the peak between the mantlet and the turret
- rain guard for the gunner's periscope
- increased fan cover with compartment heater.


That's it for this moment, build picture soon.

[MattSz]

I started build last night and this is my current progress:
The suspension is finished.

As you see even this DS tracks, looks not too bad. They are little bit too long, so the idler wheel arm should be glued withdrawn as much as possible
I also made the suspension worklable


It acting on the principle of torsion bars.

The suspension behind the wheels is very well detailed and it's a pits that all graet details are invisible after final assembly. The delicate texture of rolled steel is also visible.

Some hatches and access lids are moulded on the hull bottom.

Welds are good recreated, they are visible but not exaggerated.

So far, the kit is very pleasing, the typical Dragon high quality.

[mick]

good start