Greg

I think you'd be fairly safe with the Pz IV H and/or J. Any Panthers would be highly unlikely to be Ausf D, I would suggest that any Ausf G would be much more likely. There was a lot of brand new equipment used by the Germans in this campaign, and there is evidence that there was at least one steel wheeled Panther as well, although I'm not sure where.

Hope this helps

Regards

Rob

First off, I'd like to tell you how much I appreciate your help, this stuff has a great meaning to me. I've learned some very interesting things about the particular time frame that I want this kit to represent. (as well as all of the Men who were there.) The German armor had been hit hard by U.S. Fighter Bombers, as well as the U.S. ground forces between D-Day and Oct. of that year, so... they were in the process of getting as many refits back into the field as possible, as well as the newly built ones coming off of the factory line(s)

Also, the info that I have states that field conversions were being made during that time as well. And that, would result in "hybrid" machines, (ie) turret swaps, Russian tracks on a PZ IV or, whatever the field mechanics could do with their tracked crane vehicles in rear field positions.

Oh I almost forgot....where could I find specific information, and pictures of winter camoflage patterns for German Panzers and Tigers during this period? (I want to build a Tiger next) .. "spend that money pal" lol!

This is a fascinating journey that I have stepped into. I thank you again, and if you don't mind I'd like to ask about 30,000 more questions as I continue.

Hi everyone. I want to build a 1/35 scale Panzer kit based around the 5th Panzer Division Bastogne/Meuse counter offensive during the winter of 1944. I had an uncle that was KIA in that battle, and I'd like to be as accurate with this kit build as I can.

I am confused as to which kit to choose for this build. I have done quite a bit of research on the particulars during that time period, and I have learned that the German 5th Panzer Div. did infact attack the U.S. 28th Inf. Div. along this position, but the specific Panzer production models used are very vague.

I have read, that there were mostly refitted IV's and some V Model G's as well as Tigers, but as to which specific ones to narrow it down to, I just don't know

Could someone please tell me which one of Dragon's kits would be accurate for this time period? I was looking at these 1:35 Dragon Panther G SdKfz 171 Late - NEW Tooling - Smart Kit Series #6268 1:35 Dragon Panther D SdKfz 171 - Premium Edition Kit #6299
1:35 Dragon Panzer Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf, J, Last Production ~ Smart Kit #6575

These are some of the kits that I was considering. According to the info that I have found so far, most of what was left during the Ardennes battle were variants of each production model that could be refitted from one series to the other to have a fighting Panzer... That's what has me baffled....Which kit would be a true variant model?

If anybody can help me, I would appreciate the input greatly. This is a great forum, and a wealth of knowledge is here. I love this place

Thanks in advance.

Greg,
Also easy to source, the Osprey "Order of Battle" series covers the Ardennes over several volumes, breaking down by Panzer Army. If you get the 5th Panzerarmee volume, it will break right down to individual divisions, battalions and companies. They also include copious maps with units of both sides shown in position, so you can work out exactly which unit was fighting which. These volumes are comparatively cheap and available from any military book shop.