Steel Wheel Panthers

[Hagen]

Does anyone know what Divisions/units ended up with the 24(?) steel wheeled Panthers. I thought I remembered a picture of one in the Ardennes. Any help would be appreciated.

[McCoy]

I'm not sure of it's autencity but it's a good start for further research. This information is taken from the instructions that follows Dragon's Steel Wheel Panther (DML #6370). It gives the builder four options n' that's Pz.Rgt. 1, 'LAH', LaGlieze 1944, Pz.Rgt. 2, East Prussia 1945, Pz.Rgt. 24, Eilendorf, Germany 1944 n' Pz.Rgt. 24, Aachen 1944.

That gives at hand three different panzer regiments to research further on in order to confirm Dragons claims. I don't distrust 'em but on the other hand I'd say that they're not the best source on such things but it's a pointer in the right direction at least that could ring true.

[LAH 1 SS]

yeh you are correct mccoy nice one mate i have some photos of the LAH panthers hope they help




here is one of another regiment for you

and just some other shots i have

[McCoy]

Nice pictures mate but I wouldn't classify M.A.N. station eight steel wheels as Panther Steel wheels as only the last roadwheel on 'em had steel wheels.

[LAH 1 SS]

yeh you are right there were only a couple of all steel wheel panthers used by LAH the eighth station steel road wheel of which 28 were produced appears to fall into the category just becuase of the last road wheel only the factory designation is the differing point it is surprising how many modellers etc do link them all together

[McCoy]

I recall that I've read somewhere (don't remember where) that the crews didn't like the all steel wheel Panthers due to 'em bein' noicy n' a bit stiffer thus makin' the ride less enjoyable for the crew. But I agree that it's strange that so many mix 'em up 'cos the difference isn't that small n' we really need to separate 'em...

[LAH 1 SS]

i havent heard of that one before about the crews seems strange seeing as the tiger, tiger2 and jagdtiger all had them i know the steel wheels were easier to produce and required less rubber etc maybe it wasnt as noticible on the tigers due to weight, surface area and suspension set up of them? that's very interesting mccoy mate would like to hear more about this

[McCoy]

Sadly I'm not able to confirm it as I would like to know more 'bout it for myself n' have only read it once.

[Hagen]

Originally Posted by McCoy

I recall that I've read somewhere (don't remember where) that the crews didn't like the all steel wheel Panthers due to 'em bein' noicy n' a bit stiffer thus makin' the ride less enjoyable for the crew.

Maybe thats why there were only 24 or so built. We do know that the design was successful with the Tigers, maybe in the end it just boiled down to an uncomfortable ride.

Also thanks for dusting off my old post.

[McCoy]

No problem mate! There's no such thing as a thread bein' too old to post in. I just stumbled upon it today n' thought that I could provide a little help along the way.