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DRAGON MODELS LIMITED
Product Specifications.
6561, Ersatz M10 Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 572 styrene parts (including 16 clear), one bag of Magic Tracks, one photo-etched brass fret, two decal/marking schemes and six pages of instructions in 16 steps.
Introduction.
During the preparations for the Ardennes Offensive, German special operations forces were assigned to play a prominent role. These units were to include parachutists dressed as Americans dropped behind the lines to sow confusion and an American tank unit composed of captured tanks and other vehicles, crewed by Germans dressed as US soldiers. In the event, captured American vehicles were not forthcoming in the desired numbers; no tanks were to be had as well. Therefore, five German Panther Ausf.Gs were disguised with special sheet-metal cladding to appear to be US Army M10 3-inch GMCs. Some StuG.III Ausf.Gs were also configured to mimic the American M7 105mm HMC and committed to action. Together with the Panthers, these constituted the main armored punch of Panzer-Brigade 150. When finally deployed (conventionally, contrary to their mission) these Panthers fooled no one and were all quickly eliminated.
Military failures can often spawn an unusual modeling subject; witness the attention the Panzerkampfwagen Maus has garnered amongst modelers. In this case, DML, after announcing this kit several years ago, has finally released an Ersatz M10 based on their well-done panther Ausf.G series of kits. This variant includes a new superstructure part without tool or stowage mounting points, no opening for a gun tube travel lock and new mounting points for track link stowage. A new upper turret shell with hinges molded on for the new hatch lids is provided as well as an additional 45 new parts. These include: two fender configurations, two glacis configurations, two mantlet configurations, all disguise panels and various fixtures, plus new decals complete the kit.
Tracks.
The Magic Tracks are of the later pattern with the small ice grips on the face of the links. The tracks come from a slide-mold, so the integral guide horns not only have proper rib details on their outer surfaces, but they have also been hollowed-out. There are also four smaller sprues that have a total of 16 links with separate and properly detailed guide horns; these are to be wrapped around the drive sprockets.
Suspension System.
The torsion bar swing-arm units are separate parts and depict the three different types that were used at various locations on this Panzer. Internal torsion bar details are also given, including the holders and various other bits. The idler wheel swing-arm is also separate, which will make fitting individual-link tracks much easier. Do not glue the idler wheel swing-arm into position until you are satisfied with the sag of the track. There are other separate detail parts for the suspension system that are fitted to the hull side plates, including bump-stops, track pin return plates and two pairs of cast final drive housings; one pair has the small return roller that mounted aft of the drive sprocket, while the other pair mounts the skid.
The drive sprockets feature the late-style hub-cap molded in place, while the original type of idler wheels are in four parts including separate outer rims for maximum realism. The standard rubber-tired road-wheels feature 32 rim-bolts and have subtle rim detail where the tires are mounted.
Hull.
In order to accept the separate torsion bar swing-arms, the slide-molded hull pan has openings for them molded in place, as well as plate details, which correspond to the torsion-bars on the opposite side. Other bolt detail is included as well. At the front end there are separate plates that allow for complete detail on both sides of the final drive housings. The belly plate is of the final type that came in two sections, with the front being 25mm-thick and the remainder being 16mm-thick. All drain plugs and access plates are provided and are in their proper locations and configurations. The sponson plates are separate parts and attach to inner sub-plates for a very positive fit; they are exquisitely detailed with weld beads, bolt patterns, recessed screw heads and an opening for the power conduit (also included) that ran to the fender-mounted Bosch head-lamp.
The hull rear plate has fine weld seam and access lid details, as well as the prominent tow coupling that was mounted on the circular access plate. New exhaust pipe ends, which fit into openings on the rear disguise cladding, compliment the already-extant configurations provided. Early exhaust pipes are provided as are both welded and cast armored guards for where the pipes entered the hull rear plate; this option also includes the sheet metal heat shields that were wrapped around the exposed pipes. Not for use, but still included, are a pair of marvelously-rendered slide-molded Flammvernichter (flame-dampening) exhaust pipes, which are complimented by optional separate upper elbows. The final parts are the convoy light including clear part, and U-shaped tow clevises.
Superstructure.
The superstructure features integrally-molded front fender/mud flaps, which have separate detail parts as well as a single multi-part Bosch head-lamp (it is based on a slide-molded core with a separate clear styrene lens if the cap is left off) for the port side; there is a detailed mount under the fender with a separate power conduit, illustrating the dedication to fidelity of the kits designers. There are a couple of large, deep ejector pin marks under there as well, but they are hidden from normal view.
Two configurations are provided for the cladding section that covered the glacis plate. Their difference lays in the lift ring and tie-down locations. A separate plate to cover the MG is also given. A finely-detailed, slide-molded MG34 and mount is provided; the machine-guns muzzle is pre-bored, and there is a separate cap to be used if the MG is not in place.
The separate drivers and radio operators hatch lids (there are two styles provided) feature separate grab handles (check photos; some Panthers had handles; some did not) and complete underside detail. The springs seen on the inside of the transmission access plate that attached to the lids are present as are external bump-stops. Separate periscope armor guards for the driver and the RO are given as are clear styrene periscope heads; the drivers scope also has a separate rotator plate (remove the location tab and it can be movable) and sun-shade. The Heckzurrung (external travel lock for tank gun) is still there but is not for use on this version. The turret ring race has complete detail and does not have cut-outs to keep the turret locked in place; personally, I prefer this method as it will allow the modeler more latitude in display. Just be aware that although the turret fits quite snugly, it may fall out if the model is inverted.
The engine deck has a number of options and also contains some internal bits. It includes etched brass screens for the various air intake and exhaust grills. Internally, there are the baffles and fan blades for the engine cooling system; this includes the option of two different fan blade styles. Externally there are two different styles of cast cooling air exhaust armor guards, with the third option, the raised tower associated with the Kampfraumheizung (fighting compartment heater) included but not to be used. Two main engine deck plates are given; the differences are extremely subtle and quite difficult to distinguish, consisting of the same number of openings around the rim, but with differing styles of fasteners within them. A separate engine deck access hatch lid is given as are various fittings, hooks and filler caps.
A new section of cladding is provided for the rear of the hull/superstructure. It is based on one main part to which lift-rings, etched brackets, tail-lamps and exhaust pipe ends are attached.
The re-tooled superstructure side plates feature proper weld bead and interlock details. Fine lines indicate where the spare track links, peculiar to this version, should be placed. The standard Panther Ausf.G stowage items are all missing from this variation, so DML does not include tools, tow cables, etc in the box. New fenders are provided which add further to the illusion of this Ersatz M10. They come in two configurations, one of which is embellished with etched brass parts. The difference is in their rear ends, so these are separate sections.
Turret.
The upper turret shell is a new part, with the main addition being hinge plates for the new commanders hatch lids. These can be shown opened or closed, but have their lift handles molded in place. This vehicle dispensed with the standard cupola as presumably its inclusion would have compromised its mission. One wonders what the blinded tank commanders had to say about that! The turret is surrounded by a new braced cladding system meant to simulate the appearance of the US Armys M10. This is based on an extremely thin-walled, slide-molded cladding part to which separate braces are then attached; a pair of separate lift-rings is then added.
Two new gun mantlet cladding configurations are provided; these are differentiated by their shapes and the locations of their lift rings. Either is topped by the sheet metal debris guard. The 7.5cm KwK42 L/70 gun tube is a conventionally-molded one-piece all-styrene item, capped by a three-part slide-molded styrene muzzle brake. The gun tube matches drawings in Panzer Tracts 5-3 very precisely and includes the subtle change in taper seen towards the rear; internally, there is basic breech detail for it. The turrets rear plate, as well as its attendant escape hatch, are provided, with the latter being movable
Separate grab handles, lifting hooks, two different fan vent cover plates (forged and welded), separate armored splash guard for the vent, molded-on Pilsen (crane mounts) with excellent weld and drain details, separate clear styrene loaders periscope (with armored guard), and gas detection panels provide turret details. The Nahverteidigungswaffe (close defense weapon) is not for use; it is replaced by a blanking plate and an Antennefußß (flexible antenna base). No rod antenna is provided.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Molding and engineering is first rate, resulting in excellent overall fit of parts. No sink marks were found, and in every case except for the above-mentioned individual link tracks, there were no visible ejector pin marks. The super-thin M10 cladding for the turret is an especially noteworthy example of DMLs Razor Edge molding technique.
Accuracy.
The recent four-volume series from the Panzer Tracts team, backed up by their classic work for Schiffer (see listing below) was the base reference for this scale models physical attributes. After removing many of the major components from the sprues, I began laying them on the various sets of drawings in the Panzer Tracts book (No.5-3). Without exception, the fit was superb. Given that these drawings are widely held to be the ultimate reference for this Panzer, I can probably safely conclude that the overall accuracy level of this kit is quite high. It has been said that the turret rear plate has the escape hatch opening in the wrong place. Using drawings in the cited references, I could not find this discrepancy; the kits part matched the drawing very well. Recently, I was provided information from an ML denizen who took his own measurements from a surviving turret; they do show the discrepancy, although it is a minute one. If the modeler wishes, simply shave down one side of the part and add a strip of sheet styrene to the opposite side. Problem solved.
Instructions.
The instructions are presented in the conventional manner, with intricately-detailed line drawings. Almost all of the main steps contain one or more sub-steps separated into small boxes; this will assist the modeler in preparing subassemblies for placement when needed. Where specific features are to be paired with a particular set of markings, the instructions clearly call this to the modelers attention.
Decals and Markings Information.
The decals are from DMLs usual supplier, Cartograf of Italy. All items are in perfect register, feature crisp edges and fine color saturation. Carrier film is thin, matte and closely cropped to the edges of the designs.
Markings for two vehicles are provided, B4 and B7, from Panzer-Brigade 150, as seen in the Ardennes in December of 1944. They match up with photos quite well and can be considered substantially accurate. The markings consist of typical US Army stars as well as bumper codes, with their peculiarly-German additions. Some sources state that a yellow triangle was seen on the rear plate of these tanks; none are provided on the kits decal sheet.
Conclusion.
This kit is well-engineered and well-presented, making the relatively long wait between its announcement and its appearance worthwhile. It beautifully represents a unique subject that saw action in one of the most famous battles of the Second World War in Europe, making it quite desirable, particularly to modelers who are also students of the Battle of the Bulge.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. Panther & Its Variants; Spielberger Series Vol.1, Schiffer, by W. Spielberger.
2. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz.
3. Panzerkampfwagen Panther Ausf.G; Panzer Tracts No.5-3, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
4. Germanys Panther Tank: The Quest for Combat Supremacy; Schiffer, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
5. Battle of the Bulge, Then and Now; After The battle, by J-P. Pallud.
6. Ardennes 1944: Peiper and Skorzeny; Osprey Elite 11, by J-P. Pallud.
7. Battle of the Ardennes 1944 (1), St. Vith and the Northern Shoulder; Osprey Campaign 115, by S. Zaloga.
8. Battle of the Bulge 1944 (2), Bastogne, by S. Zaloga.
9. Panther Variants 1943-1945; Osprey New Vanguard No.22, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
10. The Pz.Kpfw.V Panther; Osprey Vanguard No.21, by B. Perrett.
11. Modelling the Panther Tank; Osprey Modelling No.30, by S. Van Beveren.
12. Panther; Squadron Armor in Action No.11, by B. Culver.
13. Panther vs. Sherman, Battle of the Bulge 1944; Osprey Duel 13, by S. Zaloga.
14. Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Vol.1; Tankpower No.1, AJ Press, by W. Trojca.
15. Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Vol.2; Tankpower No.2, AJ Press, by W. Trojca.
16. Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Vol.7; Tankpower No.7, AJ Press, by W. Trojca.
17. Panther; Sturm & Drang No.5.
18. Panther, Jagdpanther & Brummbär; Achtung Panzer No.4.
19. Panzerkampfwagen V Panther; Aero, by W. Spielberger & U. Feist.
20. Panzerkampfwagen V Panther; AFV Profile No.10, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
21. Panther; Concord Armor at War 7006, by T. Anderson & V. Wai.
22. Panzers of the Ardennes Offensive 1944-45; Concord 7042, by T. Cockle.
23. The Battle of the Bulge; Concord 7045, by S. Zaloga.
24. Panther Ausf.A/G, Photosniper 11; Kagero, by G. Parada, W. Styrna & M. Suliga.
Reviewers note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
