Befehlsjäger 38 Ausf.M by Gary Boggs

The 1:35 Dragon Smart Kit Befehlsjäger 38 Ausf.M (Marder III) by Gary Boggs was built mostly out of the box with the exception of interior items. The radio wiring is scratch-built as is the ammo rack frame. The model is painted with Tamiya acrylics (Dark Yellow, Red Brown, NATO Green), using an Iwata HP-CS for the base, and freehand with an Iwata High Performance HP-B for the camo.

Weathering was accomplished using a combination of MIG washes, oils, and pigments. The parts fit for the interior was a bit off in a few areas, but otherwise this was a good kit that could use some aftermarket interior goodies.

Jagdtiger - "Eine Fliege in Meinem Kaffee"

Sd.Kfz.186 Jagdtiger 3./Schwere Abteilung 653 - "Eine Fliege in Meinem Kaffee" ("A Fly in My Coffee") - March, 1945 - Two 3./Schwere Abteilung 653 Jagdtigers were abandoned on Landauer Strasse in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. Jagdtiger 331 was left in the middle of the street, while Jagdtiger 323 was parked in a courtyard opposite. Both vehicles had been abandoned due to damage to their final drives, probably as a result of a battle in Neustadt on March 22.

Jagdtiger 331 was captured, inspected, then famously shipped to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for study, trials, and eventually public display.

 

This is the Dragon 1/35 kit (#6285 - Review Here) with Eduard Photoetch, an Eduard correct length metal barrel, Fruil tracks, Tamiya motorcycle, Verlinden cobblestone street, lamp and sidewalk, and a mix of Verlinden and Warriors figures. It was built to model the less infamous of the two Jagdtigers found in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, #323 which was abandoned across the street from #331.

Modifications include the removal of the front and rear mud guards (fenders), and weld beads added in the correct areas of the entire vehicle using Evergreen styrene, Tamiya cement, and a Dremel tool. The model is painted with Tamiya acrylics in an ambush scheme, and has been finished and weathered with a combination of homemade filters and washes, and MIG pigments. The figures are finished with Vallejo acrylics and Archer transfers.

With this model, I attempted to set the hypothetical scene in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse on the morning of March 22, 1945. The Jagdtigers are positioned in strategic locations in the village awaiting orders for the day. Enjoying their morning coffee, the crew of #323 visits with a Feldgendarmerie, discussing the strategic situation, when the Jagdtiger commander realizes he has a little more than he bargained for with his sugar and cream...

#331 and #323 in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse

Jagdtiger #323

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331 (Real color photo?)

 

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331

 

Jagdtiger #331

Jagdtiger #331 (1950s/1960s repaint?)

 

 Jagdtiger #331

Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F2(G) - Tunisia, 1942

DRMM presents the Pz.IV F2 of Pz.Rgt.8, 15.Pz.Div., Tunisia, 1942.

This is the Dragon "Smart Kit", painted in a 4:4:3 ratio of Tamiya Desert Yellow, Tamiya Dark Yellow, and Tamiya Deck Tan. The decals are from the kit, with the exception of the Afrika Korps logos which are from the Archer Dry Transfers range. Fruil tracks were used in place of the Dragon Magic Tracks. The model was weathered with a various combination of MIG filters, washes and pigments.

Finally, the figure is from Doug's Original and is finished in Vallejo acrylics.

Panther D - Kursk

The Panther tank was seen as a necessary component of Operation Zitadelle, and the attack was delayed several times because of their mechanical problems, with the eventual start date of the battle only six days after the last Panthers had been delivered to the front. This resulted in major problems in Panther units during the Battle of Kursk, as tactical training at the unit level, coordination by radio, and driver training were all seriously deficient.

It was not until June 23–29, 1943, that a total of 200 rebuilt Panthers were finally issued to Panther Regiment von Lauchert, of the XLVIII Panzer Corps (4 Panzer Army). Two were immediately lost due to motor fires upon disembarking from the trains. By July 5, when the Battle of Kursk started, there were only 184 operational Panthers. Within two days, this had dropped to 40. On July 17, 1943 after Hitler had ordered a stop to the German offensive, Gen. Heinz Guderian sent in the following preliminary assessment of the Panthers:

Due to enemy action and mechanical breakdowns, the combat strength sank rapidly during the first few days. By the evening of 10 July there were only 10 operational Panthers in the front line. 25 Panthers had been lost as total writeoffs (23 were hit and burnt and two had caught fire during the approach march). 100 Panthers were in need of repair (56 were damaged by hits and mines and 44 by mechanical breakdown). 60 percent of the mechanical breakdowns could be easily repaired. Approximately 40 Panthers had already been repaired and were on the way to the front. About 25 still had not been recovered by the repair service ... On the evening of 11 July, 38 Panthers were operational, 31 were total writeoffs and 131 were in need of repair. A slow increase in the combat strength is observable. The large number of losses by hits (81 Panthers up to 10 July) attests to the heavy fighting.

During Zitadelle the Panthers claimed 267 destroyed tanks. (Wikipedia)

This is the 1/35 Dragon Panther D Premium kit, modeled to represent one of these brand new Panthers that was sent to the Kursk front, as it may have looked after only a few days off of the train. It is finished with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics and sparingly weathered with MIG products. I have added a few mods from Tiger Designs (turret hatch and rear turret armor), and Fruil tracks.

Sd.Kfz.182 Konigstiger - Porsche Turret

This is the 1/72nd scale Dragon "Armor Pro" version of the King Tiger with Porsche Turret and Zimmerit. It is modeled to reflect a vehicle from s.Pz.Abt.506, Arnhem, 1944.

The vehicle was hand (brush) painted with Vallejo Acrylics and weathered with MIG weathering products.

T-34/76 No.112 Factory by Gary Boggs - Part 2

Studio shots of Gary Boggs' outstanding T-34/76 No.112 Factory "Krasnoe Sormovo" Late Production, built using the outstanding book "T-34 Mythical Weapon" by Robert Michulec and Miroslaw Zientarzewski as reference.

Click here for Part 1.

 Click here for Part 1.