1/16 Panther G, M.N.H. December 8, 1944 Build

Greets everyone,

I just purchased a new RC Torro IR Metal version Panther G from the Heng Long Panzer shop Germany and am researching for a paint scheme, Unit, Theater, etc. I'll be honest & say I am somewhat of a "Rivet Counter" and due to the significant investment involved with these tanks I want to get it "right". I have done a ton of research already on this model but still need some blanks 'filled in' on information I have not been able to find. I own at least a dozen books on the Panther but the one that really gets down to nuts-and-bolts is the late Thomas Jentz and Mr. Hilary Louis Doyle's book "Germany's Panther Tank, The quest for combat supremacy". This books is a deep dive into very specific details and time lines regarding all things 'Panther Tank'. Another book that compliments that work is Authors Roddy Macdougall and Martin Block's "PANTHER External Appearance & Design Changes".

Without boring you with too much minutiae... If your familiar with the Torro / Taigen metal version Panther G model this tank model has some very specific details, out of the box, that pinpoint almost the exact date and Chassis Number of Manufacture. I'm no expert here, but just follow along and you'll see my point. If you are into this tank, I've already got you hooked anyways....

It had to have been produced by either M.A.N. or M.N.H. as Daimler Benz added hooks to mount road wheels on the tops of the rear turret side plates around this time. (Ref: Page 172 of Roddy & Martin's book) This model does not come with those hooks. Because the information available is great from M.N.H., I'm going to make the assumption this tank was built by Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen Hannover. Based on the notes on pages 96 and 97 (5.3.22 & 5.3.23) in Thomas Jentz and Mr. Hilary Louis Doyle's book regarding the Flammenvernichter Exhausts beginning with Fgst. Nr 128875 and the installation of Cover Plates on the right side gratings for the radiators on the rear deck beginning with Fgst. Nr 128877. This means that this tank had the MNH Chassis Number (Fgst. Nr.) 128875 or 128876 which rolled off the assembly line in Hannover on the 8th of December, 1944. These would have been the 99th & 100th respective tanks from Order # 60 0697. This tank has the Flammenvernichter exhaust but does NOT have the gratings on the right rear engine deck over the radiator intake grilles. It is interesting to note that all of the other details on this tank model, down to the bolt locations on the rear engine access hatch, are correct for this specific time period. Good on Torro / Taigen for doing their research.

What I would like to know is once they left Hannover on or about 8 December, 1944. Where did they go? What unit did they serve in? What theater did they operate in? This would have been 8 days prior to the beginning of the Battle of The Bulge in the Ardennes. Hard to get a tank to the front that fast by rail. The assumptions are easy to guess of course, but where can I find data to know this information? If you haven't guessed by now, this IS part of the fun, for me at least....

Thanks for the 'Tread Head' help everyone!

Mark L.