Need help choosing a Sherman and a Panzer

Yep, Patton did face Rommel's Afrika Corp. As for teh tanks involved, I would have to reserach it. The movie Patton is not accurate with their tank representation in that battle as we all know.

Kind of ... Patton's II Corps faced and defeated Rommels forces at El Guettar on Mar 23, 1943. But Rommel had already been replaced as commander of the forces in N.A. and and left the theatre of operations.

If you just wish to build a kit representing these two Generals, I would suggest building an Africa Korps Panzer III or a Panzer IV Ausf.D as they were more prevelent there for the Germans.

To represent Patton .... Tamiya's M4 Sherman Early or even better yet the rare and OOP DML M4A1 would be perfect.

Hope this helps a wee bit.

Hey stinger, the Tamiya M4A3 actually comes with decals for a tank of the mighty 4th Armored Division -- Patton's killer armored vets. The model itself is old and has a few problems, but it's still a good enough kit. Just one thing. Leave the applique armor off. M4A3's didin't use it. Other problems are for the armor purists only.

For the Panzer, I'd suggest a Marder! Marders were used to great effect in the Desert -- so why not use Tamiya's great kit (the Marder III -- the one with the Russian 76.2mm gun)? It even comes with 15th Panzer Division decals, and instructions on painting the neato sand over grey camo pattern. You can see inside the fighting compartment, which is great in this case, as the stuff inside is cool.

(Don't use the Marder IIIM --which has the fighting compartment in the back. Use the Marder III, with the compartment in the middle, and the Russian gun. Those are the ones sent in lergest numbers to Rommel's crew.)

Off the top of my head I believe that i have seen shermans and Panzer IV face off in North Africa... that is my recommendation

I agree with Robert, DML's M4A1 and a Panzer III H or J.

Whew!! Thanks guys. I knew the forum would come through.
I'll look right now for the kits you suggest.

May an Angel always be your wingman, and the sun always at your six.

Stinger

Hi Stinger

If I were to do a vehicle for Rommel, In lieu of a panzer I would do the Tamiya 1/35th scale SdKfz 250/3 Greif ... it should be relatively cheap if you can find it.

This kit is of the actual command halftrack used by Rommel in Africa; it is not a tank but it still has tracks! It even has a few figures, one of which is a Rommel figure himself.

Excellent suggestion Peter !!!

Forgot all about the Greif.

Thanks Peter and Sherm - Keep the ideas coming! I haven't bought them yet, so I'm still hearing you all. I think, though, that Janet really wants a Panzer, just to match up with the Sherman. I think she'll be surprised though at the comparison. From what I've seen on the History Channel, the Panzers totally outclassed the Shermans. It was just by pure numbers that gave us the advantage, or am I wrong?
Keep it coming friends.

Stinger

Personally I think the Sherman and the Panzer III / IV were pretty much evenly matched. It's when the Panther and Tigers got thrown into the fray that things tilted in the German's favour. At least one on one.