Panzer Aces GB January 2007 to May 31, 2008

Open question for the group-does anyone know of any Panzer Aces that used the Marder III M?

I haven't been able to determine/verify any with my limited resources.

Reason I ask is that I have the Tamiya kit, which shows a camo scheme/decals for one vehicle that has multiple 'kill' stripes on the barrel.  If so, then I could potentially use that kit and reduce my stash, which is starting to get out of control.  Any info, pics, etc is appriciated.

Thanks

bobbaily wrote:

Open question for the group-does anyone know of any Panzer Aces that used the Marder III M? I haven't been able to determine/verify any with my limited resources. Reason I ask is that I have the Tamiya kit, which shows a camo scheme/decals for one vehicle that has multiple 'kill' stripes on the barrel.  If so, then I could potentially use that kit and reduce my stash, which is starting to get out of control.  Any info, pics, etc is appriciated. Thanks

That's a good question Bob.  What units are the markings for that came with your kit?

Scott-I'm at work and the instructions are at home.  Don't think I'll call the wife and have her dig out the instructions....  I'll post later this pm or early tomorrow (son's basketball game this evening-last one of the season -more time for modeling!)

Thanks

The Marder IIIM was my very first kit I ever built    ......way back in the summer of 2006.

The water slide decal sheet provides markings for five vehicles from the following units:

" 346th Infantry Division, 346th PanzerJager Abteilung, 1st Company, Holland 1945
" 348th Infantry Div., 348th PanzerJager Abteilung, 1st Company, Belgium 1944
" Unknown unit, Belgium 1944 (markings limited to Balkan Cross)
" 561st Independent PanzerJager Abteilung, 3rd Company, Russia 1944
" 616th Independent PanzerJager Abteilung Russia 1944 (Balkan Cross only).

You betcha Bob ! 

- a quick Panzer Aces comment -

I just finished reading the bio on Kurt Knispel in Panzer Aces II.  The deeper I get into this topic, the more astounded I become at the heroics and selfless demonstrations of bravery by these panzer aces.  Kurt's story is unbelievable......and humbling. 

Larry

Yeah, I often find it hard to believe that they were on the other side...I suppose that is the result of Allied propaganda portraying all Germans as barbaric...

For those of you who may be interested I finally finished my old Italeri Panther Ausf. A.  You can see it here /forums/750813/ShowPost.aspx

My next armor model in the queue - Dragon's 1/35 JagdTiger 519th Schwerer Panzerjaeger Abteilung commanded by by Albert Ernst.

Cool! That should be a good one!

BTW, Any word on Panzer Aces from 3rd Pz Rgt, 12 Pz Div "Hitlerjugend";  or Pz Abt I, Pz Rgt I, 1st Pz Div "LAH" driving/commanding an Early Panther G? Still crossing my fingers to see if I can still join this. Thanks.  

Hi Duke, I took a break from the 12th SS book (I'm about 2/3 of the way through volume 1) to read about the Flying Tigers while I build my P-40E for the CBI GB.  There are a couple of names I wrote down of Panzer commanders who knocked out a bunch of British and Canadian tanks in the Caen and Tilly areas.  Now if I could only find the piece of paper I wrote them on....

Lethal19, thanks for the comments.  The zimmerit was actually molded in on many of the parts.  The kit provided zimmed and non-zimmed optional parts for some of the zimmerited areas.  The side pieces on the hull, turret and front glacis are plastic applique parts with the zim pre-molded that glue over the original hull parts.  If I had to do it all over again I would have used the non-zimmed parts and would have tried making my own.  In retrospect, I also could have sanded down the backs of the pieces to thin them down a bit. 

I've used the Cavalier zimmerit on my 1/35 Elefant and was very pleased with it.  I just need to finish that Elefant one of these days.  It just needs the camo and weathing done on it and the fruil tracks are almost finished.  That's one of the many things on my to-do list as soon as I get a bit caught up on my GB deadlines.

I'll update your entry on the front page. 

I'm baaaack!!

Returned yesterday from my vacation in China and just got finished catching up on the GB!  

Scott,  read the post on your finished Panther for the Italeri GB!  Great job with that kit despite its deficiencies!  The painting and weathering is top notch!  I'm inspired to start working on my Tiger II!  Also luved your commentary on the kit and the Panther itself! 

I finished reading Panzer Aces I and now I am even more amazed by these Panzer commanders and their crews especially when I read about their combat in the Eastern front!  I heartily recommend this book to anyone in this GB, and even to those who are interested in armor in general.  I definitely will get Panzer Aces II as soon as I can!! 

Well, its great to be back and I hope to get working on some kits soon!

Ernest

bufflehead wrote:

I'm baaaack!! Returned yesterday from my vacation in China and just got finished catching up on the GB!   Scott,  read the post on your finished Panther for the Italeri GB!  Great job with that kit despite its deficiencies!  The painting and weathering is top notch!  I'm inspired to start working on my Tiger II!  Also luved your commentary on the kit and the Panther itself!  I finished reading Panzer Aces I and now I am even more amazed by these Panzer commanders and their crews especially when I read about their combat in the Eastern front!  I heartily recommend this book to anyone in this GB, and even to those who are interested in armor in general.  I definitely will get Panzer Aces II as soon as I can!!  Well, its great to be back and I hope to get working on some kits soon! Ernest

Hi Ernest, glad to hear you made it back safely.  Thanks for your nice comments on my Panther, I had a lot of fun researching and building that Panther Ausf. A

After having read Panzer Aces, I knew we just HAD to do this GB.  Glad to hear you enjoyed the book.  My favorite was Albert Ernst, but all the stories were good... it's amazing how extra-ordinary these men were in the face of horrendous odds, yet still managed to keep their humanity. 

I have Panzer Aces II in the stash which I plan to read as soon as I finish the Flying Tiger book I'm reading (for inspiratoin on my P-40E).  That should work out good as I'll be working on my JadgTiger while I read Panzer Aces II. 

espins,

Please add SS Unterscharfuhrer Bobby Warmbrunn to the Aces list. He was Kling's gunner in the opening days of Kursk and really racked 'em up.  Warmbrunn eventually wound up with his own Tiger I in the 101 sSS LAH of which Kling was Battalion CO during the last few months of the war. Kling was also CO of the 13th Co. SS Panzer Regt 1.

-thePostman

I was supposed to fly back to my home in the Bay Area today, but my company decided I should stay in Los Angeles for 2 weeks of training!!  AARGGH!!   I was SOO stoked thinking I was going to resume my model building!!  Now I have to wait another 2 weeks!!! 

I can't even work on any kits because everything is at home, 400 miles away!

Sorry, just ranting because I need my model fix.......   All I can think about is Panzers...Panzers....Panzers....

Ernest

bufflehead wrote:

I was supposed to fly back to my home in the Bay Area today, but my company decided I should stay in Los Angeles for 2 weeks of training!!  AARGGH!!   I was SOO stoked thinking I was going to resume my model building!!  Now I have to wait another 2 weeks!!!  I can't even work on any kits because everything is at home, 400 miles away! Sorry, just ranting because I need my model fix.......   All I can think about is Panzers...Panzers....Panzers.... Ernest

Well, if you want to talk Panzers, I'd love to meet up, or at least chat. I live in the Los Angeles area. Send me a PM and I'll pass on to you any contact info if you want. 

bufflehead wrote:

I was supposed to fly back to my home in the Bay Area today, but my company decided I should stay in Los Angeles for 2 weeks of training!!  AARGGH!!   I was SOO stoked thinking I was going to resume my model building!!  Now I have to wait another 2 weeks!!!  Ernest

Bufflehead - Here's an idea: Maybe you could pickup a kit locally to work on during the two weeks that your trip has been extended. You'd have to buy some basic supplies like an exacto-blade, sandpaper and bonding solvent of course.  And maybe have to wait till you're back home to paint/weather etc.  But this could be a way to maintain your sanity (or insanity, like in my case) during your exile out of town.  I think you can bring the blade, etc on your return flight if you put it in your checked baggage.  Or you can pack the materials + the progressed model and ship it to your house/apt before you leave to return home.

I'm guessing there may be a shop or two in the LA area

 Larry 

Larry, I've already decided to go that route!! Nothing will keep a dedicated builder down.  Like you said, I will just have to build OOB and paint/weather when I return home!  Now I just have to find an LHS nearby and an easy build that I can finish in 7-8 evenings!

Duke, I would love to talk Panzers with you!  Will PM you as soon as I can.  I'm using my buddies laptop since I didn't bring mine on vacation and he's busy doing work on it so my time is limited!! 

Ernest 

Ernest - Glad to hear you have a plan of attack.  I'm currently out of town (in Houston) for only3 days - just long enough to start climbing the walls, but not enough time to find a shop and do some damage.

I probably actually should take a break from my Hornisse for a few days anyhow. I've been making mistakes at every turn on that fine kit, and the time away might help me re-focus.   

So this evening I've been researching old German gothic style lettering.  There's one picture that Eric and I have found of a Hornisse with the name Falke on it.  The name is written in a gothic old font that I want to replicate on my model.   Whether that particular Hornisse eventually wound up with Ernst - I can only guess.  But it can at least serve as an example for what it might have looked like.  Since I doubt that there are any available dry transfers or decals to use for this, I will need to hand paint the name on the model (gulp).  I found two True Type fonts on the net that I will be using as guides.  I've reposted the Hornisse photo, and at the bottom of the picture added what the name looks like in the two fonts.  I think they look pretty close.   I have a brother who is a professional artist who could paint the lettering in his sleep.  But he lives about 1000 miles from me.  So I'll at least make an attempt

Larry

Bufflehead, I'll be looking forward to your PM. I know of several Hobby shops in the area, but most you may have to travel some distance to get to. Depending on where you go, I could possibly even meet you. Not this weekend though, I'll be in San Diego celebrating my birthday at the USS Midway museum.

Larry, I'd go for the first, bold font. Also, you could make some stencils of the font by printing the name out on a piece of paper the size you want, then cut out the letters along the edges with a fine Exacto blade. Tape the paper to the side of the model as tightly as you can, then lightly a/b mist several coats of paint on it until the letters are solid enough. Remove paper and your name should be clear and complete. Then all you have to do is weather over it and it'll look awesome. On a 1/35th scale modle this shouldn't be hard. On my scale (1/72) it would be very interesting to try!

Good luck my friend! 

Duke "waiting for an Ace to try my hand" Maddog 

Thanks a lot for the advice Maddog.  I like the sound of that approach.....a lot.  It gives me multiple opportunities to get it right before committing it to paint.  I will go with the first font.

Many Thanks,

Larry

Another great suggestion.  Thanks a lot hermesminiatures.  I am going to experiment with both methods.

Larry