Battle of Cologne Tanks questions

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I have a couple questions for all tank experts here.

1 - Which Pershing tank was involved in the famous tank battle of Cologne? I know it was the M-26 Pershing but was it the Super Pershing or not?

2 - I know a Panther that was knocked out by the Pershing tanker. But which Panther tank was it? There are so many different Panther tanks; I can’t make heads or tails from each one particular version at the time of the battle in Cologne.

I want to build both for my collection of tank builds. Any insight wil be appreciated.

2

The Pershing was a T26A3 (not an E4 Super Pershing), commanded by Staff Sgt. Robert Earley of E Co., 32nd. Arm. Reg., 3rd Arm. Div.

Description of battle at bottom of page;

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2020/06/12/clash-of-heavy-tanks-at-cologne/

The Panther was a late Ausf A, believed to be a field-converted Befehlspanther, commanded by Co. commander Obltn. Wilhelm Bartelborth of Pz. Abt. 2106, Pz.Brg. 106.

Discussion about the Panther;

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/missinglynx/panther-ausf-a-markings-and-camo-at-cologne-t318941.html

3

That really helps. Thank you!!

4

I can recommend reading “Spearhed” by Adam Makos. It’s about Early and his crew, as told by Clarence Smoyer, the gunner. It’s a great read as is, with an excellent description of the action in Cologne between Early’s Pershing and the Germans there.The photos are largely new (to me) as well.

5

I already read that book when it was first released.

6

I think the Hobby Boss (they do several versions of the Pershing) M26 is able to represent the T26E3 Pershing used during the battle. Dragon also does the T26E3 but the kit is 25 years old. Tamiya has one that is good for the time frame too. I’d recommend the Tamiya if you just want one for the collection.

7

The movie is fascinating if only useful for understanding the situation.

8

Aside from the individual link tracks being a time consuming process, the Dragon Pershing kit is an otherwise mostly trouble free build. I have the Tamiya kit, but haven’t built it yet. When I do, it’ll likely be in Korean War markings for the 70th Tank Battalion at Pusan. The Tamiya kit is a bit nicer and has a fancier articulable suspension. I havent seen the Hobbyboss kits, so I can’t comment there.

9

HobbyBoss and Tamiya are both good kits, and both will work for the Pershing in question. I can’t say for sure about the HB kit’s need for mods, but I have built the Tamiya kit as a WWII period tank. All that it needs is to have the reinforcing ribs shaved off the inside of the final drive housings and the infantry interphone left off. It builds quick and easy. I’ve used parts of a HB kit to do an in-progress Super Pershing, and I seem to remember it’s a good build too.