Need some help to clarify information for finishing up my Dragon JagdPanther (Early). I want to represent a JagdPanther from schwere Panzerjaeger Abteilung 654 from the fighting in France June/July 1944. From research and pictures, I know that Jagdpanthers from sPzJaegAbt 654 saw service during Normandy Battles in the Summer of 1944. The schwere Panzerjaeger battalion consisted of three companies of 14 Jagdpanthers, with a platoon make up of 3 to 4 vehicles. My question comes from conflicts shown in color prints (black/white photos always a problem) as to the colors used for the vehicle numbers. I've seen numbering of "312" in red with white outline, black with white outline and just white outline. Can anyone help clarify this for me and maybe recommend a good brand and source for the decals? Thanks ever so,

Blade48mrd

Hi Mike,
I just took a look at the JP pics in "The Combat History of sPzjager Abt. 654". FWIW I found one very clear close up shot of JP #302 showing the numbers and the Balkenkreuz. It is B & W, but upon close examination, and knowing the Balkenkreuz is for sure black with white outline, I would say the numbers are black with a white outline because the colors appear to be identical to the cross. Now having committed myself to that, the color plates in the book all show the numbers as red w/white outline. Maybe the artist had more info than me, because I have been unable to find anywhere in the almost 700 pages any mention of colors used. I will also throw out that there are B & W pics in there of late JP's the unit had during the winter of '44-'45 where there is a discernable difference between the colors of the numbers and the Balkenkreuz. All I've probably done is confuse you even further with this "info" , but maybe this last small tidbit can help out a little. Whichever color you go with, Archer dry transfers has you covered, and their numbers match the style the 654 used.

Good luck,
Mike

"Kelley" -

Thanks for the info. The Dragon JagdPanther came with the red/white outline numbers, but they don't lay well even with Microset and looked too large. I'm thinking that the black/white outline numbers are probably the best way to go. I like your accessment, so I think I'll pull the ones I have and go with the Archer. I've been meaning to try the "dry transfer" anyway so this looks like the right time to give it a go. Thanks again,

Blade48mrd