Here is my entry into the Ardenne Offensive. The Germans added some sheet metal to the sides of Panther tanks, painted them olive drab and added stars to try and trick the US forces into thinking they were M10 tanks destroyers

Here are some shots





I don't have a US M10 but I have a British Achillies to compare side to side

what about friendly fire issues?

Good one Alan, I like the concept! And hey, good looking panther for a M4 aholic!

Cheers,

Garry

For something like this, I don't think friendly fire was as big as an issue as one would think. You woudl throughly brief all parties involved. An ID panel would usually suffice. Plus, and correct me if I'm wrong, this wouldn't be just one disguise in a sea of undisguised Panthers. I'd use a company of them, with minimal infantry as they would give it away.

Your idea of friendly fire is exactly what the German's wanted. They wanted that extra moment of hesistancy from American forces to get off the first shot.


Shermie, VERY GOOD. It does seem that the OD is a lot lighter in comparison to your Achilles, but I know about the variations of OD, so thats a non-issue. Somehow I figured that for you huge secret you would do something not American, yet still have a reference to a Sherman variant in some form or another. Splended job.

Jeff

Thanks all. The reason the Panther OD is lighter than the Achilles OD is because I dusted it with white for a possible snow dio.

As I understand it the disguised M10s worked in groups as the point of the German armored columns driving towards key bridges. I suppose all they really had to do was cause a few minutes confusion and delay among the US defenders while the Panzers closed in. I'm also pretty sure the German High Command considered these infiltrators sacrificial lambs.

By the way there were many infiltration operations launched by the Germsn at the Bulge. In addition to OD painted tanks....

1) Jeep loads of Germans dressed as US MPs drove around the battle area cutting communications line, misdirectiong traffic and capturing key crossroads

2) German paratroopers were supposed to capture key positions but their drops were so scattered that they were ineffective and headed back to their own lines.

nice sheep in wolves' clothing

Wow! The Ersatz M-10! Very nice work Shermiesrule! Good thing you've pulled this out before Academy made an OOB kit of this (as rumored)

wow...an Ersatz M-10. i've been dreaming of building one for years now. Nice build and painting job mate!


correct me if i'm wrong, dont the 'panther' have some sort of identification marking on the front armour plate so that german MP will recognise the disguise panther?

That should be in the rear of the vehicle. It is a bright color (red I supposed?)

Nice job Alan. Excellent choice of subject. Looking at those road wheels, it appears you had the makings of a fun and interesting camo scheme!

Shermiesrule -

Totally outstanding!!! I was hoping someone would try this Panther build (not enough confidence in my own ability to try yet). You meet the challenge and succeeded in a superb manner. There were 10 such Panther (B01 - B10) assigned to Obersturmbannfurer Skorzeny's Panzer Brigade 150 under Kampfgruppe Peiper and his 1 SS Panzer Division. There are some good pictures in Osprey's "Ardennes 1944: Peiper and Skorzeny". Hope to see it in a diorama? Great subject and great job!

Blade48mrd

Thanks all. It was really not that difficult. I just cut two side panels and a rear panel. I thought it would be different that my normal shermies