[tankguy]

Originally Posted by Cavtanker

And then if Dragon started producing 'captured back again' models, then those would sell!

Definitely!

Actually, instead of adding a figure to that german sherman, they should just repaint them in UK markings and they would sell for sure!

[MoMo]

Thanks for the speculative thoughts, Cavtanker and tankguy,

We recently received intimations of the ' captured ' Panther which should be coming our way soon. We have also seen a ' captured ' Sturmtiger ' being examined by GIs ( but obviously NOT pressed into service ). I wonder if we'll ever see a 'captured' Tiger or King Tiger in an Allied camo scheme and markings? Now that would be a real switch!

The Russians were great at pressing anything which moved into the service of their army, but how good were the British or Americans at utilising captured AFVs? I can see the obvious point of pressing trucks and horses, but I haven't read any specialist study of this question. Perhaps some of you have.

Any thoughts?

[wmosner]

approx. 30 to 40 thousand Shermans in the Euopean theater, don't think they worried too much about using captured German armor. A lot of the captured German tanks were sent back to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, USA for testing purposes and are still on outside display at the APG today.

[Legio LXXII]

I've seen pictures of captured Panthers and halftracks being used by American and British forces during WWII.

[chascbv]

Originally Posted by Legio LXXII

I've seen pictures of captured Panthers and halftracks being used by American and British forces during WWII.

Yes, you're right. A handful of Panthers were used in combat by the Allies in the Western front. Here is a photo of "Cuckoo", a Panther used by the 6th Coldstream Guards Tank Brigade.

[DirtyACE]

I've seen a picture somewhere of a captured 251 which was used as an ambulance (painted white with red crosses). I wouldn't having a model of that.

[MoMo]

Thanks, Guys,

LegioLXXll's information about the pics he's seen means that I'll have to do a bit of surfing. Chascbv's pic of the captured Panther makes me want to find out more about it. I wonder how the Coldstreams took to the cat. Was there ever a Panther V Panther duel? Now that would make an interesting diorama for any collector or model-maker !

I wouldn't mind seeing that captured 251 which Dirty Ace has cited. It wouldn't be too hard to cover the top of a standard 251 C and also plunder the Red Cross decals from an Italieri Command/Ambulance Opel Blitz.

Now to something which I'd like to see Dragon take on : I keep harping on about various wish-lists of vehicles and AFVs which I'd like to see emerge from Dragon before we are knee-deep in various captured Shermans and T34s!

The old ESCI range of 1.72 kits was an adventurous Italian company which served the world of 1.72 kit-builders well.
The moulds of this company are now owned by Italieri, and are being reissued a few at a time ( which I am glad of! ).

If Dragon don't make their own versions, I would like to see Italieri get into the pre-build market ( like Easy Models ) before it is too late!

My first choices for prebuilds would be this recently reissued pair :

and


Now wouldn't that be nice?

MoMo

[chascbv]

While a Brummbär is surely needed, I find the Camionetta Sahariana much more exciting, and other Italian hardware would also be real good news. I'll second that, MoMo!

Also, here you have a couple links regarding the Coldstream Guard's Panther, which indeed would make a most interesting diorama subject!
http://tubious.com/cuckoo-tank, http://www.twenot.nl/cuckoo.htm

[Legio LXXII]

Here are captured Panthers in Russian service during 1944...



The captured Panther that Dragon used for inspiration for their upcoming Dragon Armor Russian Panther...

[DirtyACE]

Legio, I have seen Dragon's captured panther and to be honest it seems like a pretty poor effort from Dragon. All they did was use the panther they already have released but just covered up the tactical number on the turret and replaced it with a red star. They didn't even alter the camo to make it look the least bit different from the already existing release.

I wouldn't mind seeing at least one of the tanks Italy used. And what about a heavy hauler with an 88 attached to it? Now that would be a hot seller for sure!