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Back when the Early G was announced, there were various discussions about Panthers 'outside the norm', ie. those used by non-German forces, or unusual variations. A number of threads started about the two Panthers used in action by the British (Cuckoo and Deserter), and the 'ersatz M10' conversions used by Peiper in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). And I note that someone has commissioned the factory to make one of the French ones at Saumur. It seems, therefore, that people have really thought 'outside the box' about this particular Armortek release, which can only be a Good Thing .

I was originally minded to build Cuckoo, which was used by the Coldstream Guards (6th Guards Tank Brigade) in Holland and Germany from October 1944 to February 1945. But someone else expressed a desire to built that one, so I (reluctantly at the time) said I'd take on Deserter. And I'm glad I did, as she proved to have a fascinating history !

So here's the story, broken down into what I always think are the 3 key dimensions of this hobby of ours: the Build, the Research, and the Playing. I think we all have these in varying degrees.

The Build

This essential stage is the bit that I have the least interest in. I'm no engineer, although I'm pretty good at following instructions, and I can bodge (a bit) when I find desirable changes as dictated by history. I knew from the start that Deserter was going to be tricky - torsion bar suspension, all those wheels, zimmerit ........... all that would take me an age to get my head around, and I didn't want it turning into a neglected part-built lump in the corner. So I took the easy (cowards ) way out and sub-contracted it ! Steve Norris kindly took the job on, with helpful advice and alternative parts from Mark Lawson. Steve started work in March 2023, and I collected her in November - many years faster than I could have done it !

I'm very pleased with the build. Everything works as it should (I had all the option packs fitted except the smoker, which I've never really seen the point in), some parts have been replaced with Mark's excellent Werkstatt ones, the Dunkelgelb looks great, and the zimmerit looks superb. So thanks to Steve, and Mark !

I wanted her in a pretty basic state, as the rest of it was down to me. So on with the Research (History) bit, which is where my heart really lies .....

All the best,

Chris

The Research

Funnily enough, history never lit me up at school. It's only since becoming a wargamer and modeller that I've discovered a passion (OK, an obsession ) for it. For me, digging out obscure little facts brings the whole subject to life, and often puts things in their historical context. And I think that's especially true of our big toys - giving them a history, a theatre of operations, a name / number, and possibly even a named crew, really brings them to life. It also impresses the hell out of the General Public (although most of them get excited enough about what they do, how heavy they are, and how much they cost ).

You have to dig a bit to find out much about Deserter, but I've found it an intensely rewarding experience. There's only 8 grainy monochrome photographs known, all of which can be found in the book "Italienfeldzug - German Tanks and Vehicles 1943-1945" Volume 2 (thanks to Mark Lawson for the tip !). But they give a basis for more research. I won't go into too much detail, because (a) it would bore some of you to death , and (b) there's probably a magazine article in it. But here are some bullet points:

In German service

Built by Daimler-Benz in June 1944.
Shipped to Italy (1 Abteilung, Panzer Regiment 4), probably between 18-21 September 1944 (part of the final batch of 20 shipped).
Painted in basic Dunkelgelb, with zimmerit in the Daimler-Benz pattern. Gun barrel left in heat-resistant grey paint. Rusty exhaust pipes noted.

In British service

Captured 22 October 1944. This was part of a Victoria Cross action by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (the recipient, Sergeant Ernest Alvia 'Smokey' Smith, was one of life's mavericks. Before being shipped back to England for his investiture at Buckingham Palace, he was locked up in Naples Jail - not because he'd done anything wrong, but to stop him doing anything stupid that might get him killed ! )
Originally offered to 'Popski's Private Army', but then to 145 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) (formerly 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment), 21st Tank Brigade. Assigned to A Squadron. Apart from the removal of explosive charges (including two egg grenades in the engine bay), sourcing two missing pieces of the firing mechanism from local Panther wrecks, and re-netting the radio (suggesting that it wasn't replaced with a British set). found to be in perfect working order. Named Deserter, which was not a popular choice amongst the Ranks but all 145's tank names began with a D .......
There is no evidence that Deserter was repainted by the British. Suggestions of a 'blow over' of SCC15 or brown paint are unsubstantiated.
In use at the Eastern end of the Gothic Line, on the Adriatic coast near Cesena. Used for live shoots against German emplacements (with impressive accuracy at 3,000 yards+). Also used for comparison track trials with Shermans and Churchills.
145 RAC disbanded in December 1944. Deserter then transferred to the RAC School for instructional purposes. It is possible that it was then used by the New Zealand 20th Armoured Regiment until May 1945, and ended its days in a minefield .

The British Crew

Commander: Sergeant James Henry Brocklehurst MM (Military Medal, awarded for actions in the Western Desert in April 1943 - originally nominated for the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)). Nicknamed 'Rommel'
Gunner: Trooper Walter Houlbrooly Pollard, born 1915. Tragically killed the day after his first shoot by stepping on a schumine . Five of his brothers also served - one died of disease in India, one wounded, and one made Prisoner of War. An unlucky family.
Trooper Wilson (nothing else known so far)

Sources

Books: Italienfeldzug Vol. 2, Panther (Haynes Guide), Panthers in foreign service (Osprey), Germany's Panther Tank (Jentz / Doyle)
Bovington Tank Museum archives - 145 Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps

My model

All this has given me the information I needed to produce a reasonable representation of Deserter as she was in November / December 1944. The key issue, of course, was the markings. Deserter needed to show that she was British, even though she was used for long-range shoots and evaluation and not in tank v. tank actions. The markings chosen were not 'textbook' but they do tell a story:

Front glacis (left to right): 21st Tank Brigade diabolo / Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Arm of Service (AoS) symbol /145 RAC AoS symbol
Turret sides (front to back): '10' (radio callsign) / British Army flag / A Squadron triangle / '145 RAC' lettering
Gun mantlet: '10' (radio callsign)

And. of course, a dolly in the turret . The photos show the crew in standard Battledress with black berets, so a bit of kit bashing was needed. The Duke of Wellington's capbadge was sourced from the inestimable Tony Barton (https://www.antheads.co.uk/catguide/badges), and appropriate RAC shoulder tabs and sergeant stripes from eBay (I had to print the 21 Tank Brigade diabolo).

So markings were duly made (I love this bit !). But I had to chisel away some of Steve's lovely zimmerit to make a flat service, which was done historically. It almost broke my heart to do that . It was suggested to me that I should also chisel out the areas where the Balkenkreuz would have been, but I couldn't bring myself to do it !

And now (if you've borne it this long ) for some pictures of how it all turned out:


I think that'll do for this section - thanks for bearing with me ! Next stop, Playing ..............

All the best,

Chris

The Playing

It hasn't really been the weather for it in England - we seem to have had an unending series of named storms . And, of course, Christmas and New Year to cope with. But I have taken Deserter down to Bovington Tank Museums a couple of times for meetings of the Southern Armour Group.

She's controlled via a Spektrum DX8, which is a transmitter I haven't used before. But, with a bit of guidance from Dennis Jones, Paul Sparkes and Steve Stuart, I got everything set up pretty well as I wanted it.

And, of course, it gave me a chance to run Deserter alongside some of Bovvy's Big Cats:



I'll be running Deserter over this year's show season. Tankfest at Bovington is a given. And I''ll be taking her to Germany in August to run with the German and Dutch guys, which is always good fun (I hope she won't offend my German friends in particular ). If you see me at a show, feel free to come over for a chat !

It's also nice to be able to show something from the Italian theatre. WW2 didn't just happen in Northern Europe and Russia - diversity at our shows is always nice to see. I see it as one of our roles to educate, as well as entertain, the Great Unwashed .

So that's my story. I hope you've enjoyed it and, in particular, seen the joy that can be found in good historical research. It can add a whole new dimension to our weird and wonderful hobby.

All the best,

Chris

It looks great Chris.
Vince

Thanks, Vince - very happy with it .

I must have a go at reprinting and fitting your rifling insert - when the weather is about 20 degrees warmer !

All the best,

Chris

16C here.


Vince

Deserter is looking really good, first time I have seen pictures of the Panther. I'm looking forward to seeing it in the flesh so to speak.

Hi Chris,

Very interesting story and very well researched. Thank you for sharing with us „General Public“.

Nicely looking model, but for me as a German a bit strange - even though I´m aware that a lot of captured erquipment was turned around and used against their former owners by all parties - like driving on the left (wrong) side oft he road…

Looking forward to getting it into my KT´s or JP´s gun sights at Reichshof. Under martial law, for desertion, there is only one punishment…

In the meantime enjoy driving it!! Will see you at Tankfest by the latest!

Cheers
Peter

Great research Chris and a unique, handsome model. I wonder if A Sqn used to give it a close escort and how did the crew feel every time the RAF or more worryingly, the USAAF went over? Blue on blue must have been a real concern. Now, about weathering……. I know she’ll acquire some patina with running but I’d just be itching to apply some oil paints…..thanks for three interesting posts.

Thanks for all your interest and comments !

In particular Adrian Harris, who has done a complete proof-read (he clearly needs to get out more ) and suggested a few corrections, which I've made. I've also added in a few more bits to my potted history.

One other point that might amuse you. The British found that, when driving a Panther over a Bailey Bridge, there was only 2 inches clearance either side ! It'll be interesting to see if that holds true for an Armortek one ............

Stephen White has suggested another line of research - RAF / USAAF close support in Italy in late 1944. My initial thoughs are that it wouldn't have been a greater risk for Deserter than any other British vehicle (I think some of them might still have been in Desert Sand). And Deserter was really long-range artillery, not used as a gun tank as such. Blue-on-blue might have been more of a risk to Cuckoo in Holland and Northern Germany - surviving photos do suggest a lot of Churchills close by ..... and, of course, its white stars were prominent.

All the best,

Chris

Hi Chris.

Lovely model and with a very interesting background.

Re your comment regarding the AT Bailey bridge, I hope this photo helps;-
The Panther isn't AT but the bridge is, so I hope i can get away with the picture.

take care.

Charles

Only Panther´s big bro.... But for demonstration purposes, might do...