Prague Uprising (Pražské Povstání) 05-09 May 1945

[RichB]

As a filler, I've started work on a Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer, one of the vehicles "liberated" from the Skoda factory and employed by the citizens of Prague to liberate their city from German occupation. On 08 May a ceasefire was signed and the German units allowed to withdraw from the city. Some Waffen SS units did not withdraw and fighting continued until 09 May when the Red Army entered the nearly liberated city.

This is the Academy Late Jagdpanzer 38(t) with added bits for the machinegun mounted in place of the 75mm PAK 40 and decals for three different vehicles. The Airfix boxing of this kit also includes Czech markings, but this boxing was on clearance with another 10% off for a New Years sale so it won the procurement process. No complex camouflage schemes for this one, most of the body was Primer Red, the mantlet Steel, the mud guards Green and the wheels and fittings Dark Yellow.

Let the fun begin.

Chhers,
Rich

 

[RichB]

At the end of play last night, the lower hull was together and the suspension bits all cleaned up. Being a small vehicle it builds up quickly so by the end of tonight it might be ready for painting. And being a 38(t) there isn't a mass of little road wheels to prepare.

Off to the bench!

Cheers,
Rich

 

[Heavens Eagle]

 

[moon puppy]

 

[Sharkmouth]

Watching with great interest, especially if you choose the scheme with the eyes on the gun mount (no topfblend on it). One point, the gun on all wartime Jagdpanzer 38 (I won't called it Hetzer as it confuses it with the actual vehicle with that name, the E-10), was the Pak 39. Postwar builds (including completing wartime assembled hulls not completed) used the Stuk 40, a modified KwK 40.

A few photos to help you decide on a scheme... I also have photos of the one on display which is moved to Prague on anniversaries.

Interior view of the museum example.

Regards,

 

[RichB]

Thanks for the pictures. My plan is to do the box art markings.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[errains]

This will be a fun build to follow along with. The paint scheme alone is super Kool.

 

[sharkman]

Cool project Rich!

 

[Tojo72]

Looking forward to seeing this

 

[Sharkmouth]

My plan is to do the box art markings.

Great! The one with the eyes!

This is the correct color scheme. Thomas Jakl sent Bison decals photos and corrected their mistakes on several schemes:

The original scheme for this same Jgd.Pz. 38 was this:

Regards,

 

[RichB]

With that new info I'll have to tweak the figures and base that will go with it.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[Sharkmouth]

With that new info I'll have to tweak the figures and base that will go with it.

Keep in mind that the decals, a provided in the Academy kit, seem accurate for after the fighting ended. The eyes went away post-war when it was sent to the museum. Keep in mind the memoriam of the KIA wouldn't be there during the fighting.

Some photos of the anniversary of the Uprising:

Of course, I have much more.

Regards,

 

[RichB]

If it meets with the rules of the campaign, the kit markings with memorials were applied to the vehicle for a parade honouring the fighters of the Prague Uprising at the end of May 1945. The vehicle belonged to the Neubauer battle group.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[jugjunkie]

Well I for one will definitely be looking in here regularly.

 

[Sharkmouth]

If it meets with the rules of the campaign, the kit markings with memorials were applied to the vehicle for a parade honouring the fighters of the Prague Uprising at the end of May 1945. The vehicle belonged to the Neubauer battle group.

Well, I happen to like that scheme a lot and do hope it is allowed. However, note that there were parades on the 15th and the 30th of May while VE Day was the 8th. For the parades, the vehicle had been cleaned up and patch painted.

These are the stages of the vehicle's color scheme.

During the fighting, note the open mantlet, no circular shield at this time.

When the fighting ended on May 9th.

At this time, the Russian Liberation Army (Cyrillic POA) which fought alongside the Czechs against the Germans, evacuated towards the approaching Americans as the Soviets entered Prague. Sadly, the Americans turned them over to the Soviets.

This is the same vehicle for the parade when the Soviets had entered and 'liberated' Prague, Note the Soviet flag.

With the Americans in Prague, another parade was thrown.

Some videos for inspiration:

Regards,

 

[moon puppy]

Do it...

 

[Brokeneagle]

Interesting.......