1/25 Ferdinand - Ponyri 1943

[Zenon1947]

This is a Ferdinand from GPM nr 94. Quite old model, first release (1990s).
I did it in cooperation with my grandson, Kacper (PacificWind). Like in our earlier projects, I built the model, he painted it and took the photos.
We decided to recreate a Ferdinand of 654. schwere Panzerjäger Abteilung staff, Hptm. Karl-Heinz Noak, Ponyri 1943.

Ponyri was a small village located in the Kursk region in the Soviet Union. In July 1943, Ponyri was the site of a major fighting during the Battle of Kursk, one of the largest tank battles in history. The importance of Ponyri in 1943 can be attributed to several factors. Ponyri was a key strategic point during the Battle of Kursk, as it was located on the southern edge of the Soviet defensive line, known as the Orel Salient. Controlling Ponyri was crucial for both the Soviet and German forces in their efforts to gain a tactical advantage in the battle. The battle for Ponyri was particularly fierce, with heavy casualties on both sides. The village changed hands multiple times during the course of the battle, and the fighting in and around Ponyri was some of the bloodiest of the entire conflict. The Battle of Kursk is often seen as a turning point in World War II, marking the end of Germany's ability to launch large-scale offensives on the Eastern Front. The fighting at Ponyri symbolizes the determination and sacrifice of the Soviet troops in defending their homeland against the German invasion. Overall, the importance of Ponyri lies in its role as a key battleground in the larger context of the Battle of Kursk, and the bravery and resilience shown by both Soviet and German soldiers during the fighting.

[whulsey]

Nice model, good work of painting the camo.