Barcode: 0 89195 86561 8
Case Pack: 20
Box Size: 9.8" x 15" x 3.1"
One of Germany’s last desperate gambles of WWII was its offensive in the Ardennes
on 16 December 1944. Known today as the Battle of Bulge, the aim was to split
British and American forces in half and drive all the way to Antwerp. Panzer
Brigade 150, commanded by Otto Skorzeny, had a role in this plan. This formation
was supposed to create surprise and confusion with clandestine armored vehicles!
His force included several Panther Ausf.G tanks physically disguised and painted
to resemble U.S. Army M10 tank destroyers.
Modifications included removal of the Panther cupola and stowage boxes on the
rear of the hull. Sheet metal on the hull front, turret and turret overhang
was fabricated to disguise the form of the Panther. The transformation was completed
with an olive drab paint scheme and Allied stars painted on the turret and glacis.
This handful of vehicles was designated Ersatz M10.
Dragon has produced an amazing 1/35 scale kit of these Ersatz M10 vehicles.
This is the first time this unique tank has been created in plastic in this
scale. The kit is logically based on Dragon’s Panther Ausf.G Smart Kit, but
the original Panther incorporates a host of new items to suit this Ersatz M10.
The turret is brand new, and all the sheet metal plates are included in plastic
to a true-to-scale thickness. Dragon has produced various items stemming from
the Battle of the Bulge – Kingtiger, Fallschirmjager figures, Volksgrenadier
figures and U.S. Airborne figures – but this is the ultimate Ardennes accessory!
This kit possesses all the convenience of a Smart Kit, but has a distinctive
and jaw-dropping appearance. This long-awaited item is an icon of the Battle
of Bulge, and will surely produce an authentic Ardennes diorama!
