I've just purchased the CMK Panther G Ersatz M-10 convertion set. It says it's for the Tamiya Panther G. I have the Tamiya Late G.
My question is was the "late G" in production at/before the Ardennes offensive? Would the late model G be a proper kit for the convertion?
I seem to be having no luck finding info so I thought I'd try here.
Any info or coments would be greatly appreciated.
Matt

Yes! The Panther G was produced between March 1944 to April 1945.


Jeff

In Squadron's "Panther in Action" book on page 38 there's a picture of an ausf G which, according to the caption, was abandoned during the Ardennes offensive. This tank has the chin mantlet and revised read engine deck indicating the late model G.

Hope this helps.

...Kevin

Matthew,

The late G was in the "Bulge". All the pics that I have showing the Panthers posing as M-10's suggest that they are not late G's. Why? The late G has what is referred as a "chin" on the mantlet which is not found on any of those Panthers used. The late G also had flame arrestors - not found on any of the M10 mock-ups. The late G had a crew heater found on the rear-deck (the raised "U" shaped thing) - not seen on any of the M-10 mock-ups.
Those could be G's or even A's. I am assuming that the CMK kit you have was based on the Tamiya G and that's why it says to use that kit. Historically, from what I can see in pictures, you can't use a late G. Then there is the problem of pieces not fitting that you may run into as well should you use the late G kit.

I've done some more research since my post and cannot confirm that the late G's were used in the conversion either. But, if the false turret front fits the late G kit, then use it!

The 'Ersatz' M10 Disguise was used on Panthers belonging to the Skorzeny 150 Brigade during the Ardennes offensive towards the end of WWII.


Jeff

matthew9 -

Agree with the info provided by "PantherF" and "Vadster". All the references I can find that show the Panther "ersatz" M10s refer to them as Gs, but not the "Late" version and photos seem to confirm this. Skorzeny's PanzerBrigade 150 had five "ersatz" Panther Gs. Osprey's "Ardennes 1944" and Concord's "Panzers of the Ardennes Offensive" show several photos of Panther's B5, B7, & B10.

Blade48mrd

Thanks for the feedback and advice. I think I'll clean up the resin peices and see how they fit. I suspect I'll be Looking into the Tamiya "early" G instead.
Thanks again everybody.
Matt