Berge-Panther Ausf.D mit Pz IV turret 653rd

[panzerace007]

Here are some shots of My completed Berge-Panther D . One of the Obsolete Berge-Panthers that was converted to the XO's Panzer of the 653rd. Jagd-Abtl. It has a Pz IV G turret bolted in place of a Panther turret. This rendered the Turret Immobile, but since it belonged to the XO it really wouldn't see too much action & b/c it belonged to a Jagd-Abtl the crew was used to the feel of an Immobile turret. This can be found in Karl-Heinz Munches book - Combat History of the 653rd. There are only about 2 pictures in exsistance of this Rare Kitty ! One picture actually captures it on a Flat-Car with the Only Tiger(p) to see Combat & that belonged to th C.O. of the 653rd.

It's a Cyberhobby/Dragon kit #6340. In reality it was a Berge D , but since Dragon has failed to release a Berge D there are parts that were inherent on the Berge that are not present in the Kit. The Jib-Crane & it's "anchors" & also the Short lived Heavy Tow Hitch( which later was deemed to much of a hindrance & caught too much debris to be useful in th field, on any Panther ) . These were all Nicked out of an Old Precision Models Resin Up-Date set for ICM's Berge-Panther D(#REF.:35.053.A ) Good Luck finding one Now. I'd like to use one one the Flak-Panther I'm currently building. Another Obsolete Berge-Panther D from th 653rd. ! Th absence of the Rear Schurtzen on the Turret & Stowage box is by design- As this would have restricted access to the Engine & removal of the Engine Deck.

OOpss..... :woohoo: I ran outta time. I'll post th Pix when I get back from Class !! :evil:

ERIK

 

[panzerace007]

O-B-K-B ... Houston ... We have Lift-Off. Sorry for th Earlier post.

Here is My Berge-Panther mit Pz IV turret. It was painted with:

Tamiya Dark Yellow (XF-60 )
" " Red Brown (XF-64 )
" " Dark Green (XF-61 )

The D.S. Trax were based with Tamiya Flat Black(XF-1 ) & the spot-painted with Tamiya Flat Earth( XF-52 ).

It was then given a Dry brushing of XF-60 & a pin-wash of Windsor & Newton's Raw Umber. Then finished off with Mig's Russian Earth & European Dust. The Mufflers were treated to a slight Rusting. I didn't want to show too much wear to the Panther since it was relatively New to th Battle Field( th Modded Version) & the Turret would've been Re-Painted to match th rest of th Panther ! Since it was for th XO I'm sure , th German's being German , They got it a bit Spiffy for It's New Crew !

This , One of Two known pictures is Super Rare , as it shows the Only Tiger(p) to have gone to Battle. It was Factory Ordered( :woohoo: ) By th Commanding Officer of the 653rd.

Here's yet, another War time ... Oh, wait a minute ... This is My model. I was playing around with th Sephia mode ! :woohoo: :laugh: B)

Th Driver's Vision Block was treated to a shot of Tamiya Chrome Silver & then Overcoated with Tamiya Clear Green !! The rest of the Periscopes were first painted with Tamiya Clear Green, then painted Chrome Silver ( careful to miss the "glass"), The finally coated in Tamiya Flat Black. This produces somewhat of a Mirrored finish & really reflects the Light through the Periscopes !!

Here on th Panther's rear deck we can see the Purpose stripped Rear Turret Schurtzen & Stowage Box. This hampered access to the Engine & was thus, discarded. You can also see the Pilsen Mounts that I addded from the Precesion Models Up-Date set for ICM's Berge-Panther D. I also nicked th Heavy Tow Hitch. :evil:

Another thing neglected in the Kit - The Gun Cleaning rods for the L/43 Gun !!

Here, the Other known photograph of the Berge-Panther D mit Pz IV turret under way somewhere in Eastern Russia( June '44 ). It was last reported in the Combat History in Sept. '44. Whereabouts .... Unknown !

Any body wanna go to Russia on a Scavenger Hunt ?

ERIK

 

[John Short]

Erik
The model looks great, but it is sure strange to see the Panther with the small turret!!

 

[Brokeneagle]

Interesting subject. Nice dynamics on the track and wheels. You don't see many models of this one.

Ian.

 

[Iron Mike]

Looking good, Erik! I like the suspension treatment!

 

[panzerace007]

Hey Guys,

Thanx for th kind words. The Suspension was really easy to Articulate. The Arms are actually Octagon shaped that correspond to the side of the Vehicle & can be posed how ever. Any of the Dragon D hulls have this as , also I think their Newer G's.

I tried to emulate one of the Pictures ( the last one) but I was also short on Figures ! :woohoo:

Thanx again !!

ERIK

 

[carabinier]

thats an excellent model of a rare beast,i love the way the suspension fits the ground great job

 

[modelguru]

Now youre just showing off....... Once again ive seen this piece in person as well.
STUNNING
Erik is one of my best buds so i will say it for him because he is to humble .......byt everywhere he has taken this vehicle to competition he CRUSHES everything else on the table with it .
Sorry Bro I had to throw you out there on that one ...... it is just a beautiful piece.

 

[lupanzer]

Dear ERIK.

...very cool project...excelent model of this rare one!

Regards my friend.

Luiz.

 

[panzerace007]

CHRIS- Thanx for the Vote of Confidence !!!

LUIZ, - Thanx for the Kind Words. & Keep up that great work on the Pz IV !!!


ERIK

 

[Tim A.]

Dang Erik, you've been busy!

I love the paint! and the pose is really nice too

Tim

 

[panzerace007]

hood wrote:

Dang Erik, you've been busy!

I love the paint! and the pose is really nice too

Tim

THANX for th Kind Words HOOD. But these latest have been done for a While. I'm just gettin' My Lazy Arse hmy: around to Posting them !!!


NOW, What I DO have on th Bench -

Berge-Panther mit Flak-vierling 38 ( 653rd. )

Sd.Kfz 7/1 Flak-vierling 38( Dragon ) - Coupled with that Mega P.E. Royal Edition from Griffon :gogo

KFZ 1 Stoeher ( ICM - Review for AMPS)

UpArmored/Up-Gunned Pz IV D ( DML ) -With FULL Interior !! :gogo :gogo :duh


I need some serious time back on th Bench !!

ERIK