Growl of the Panther Tank

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by McCoy

The bow MG is inside. When in use the radiooperator open the port n' stick it out. The first 50 or so Ausf. A had the same front glacis as the Ausf. D, the hull was otherwise the same n' it's only Ausf. G that have a different hull of the Panthers.

I don't know. I just compared it with six photos in three books and I keep coming up "D" with a cast commander's cupola.

Can you point out where you are getting a "A" from. Maybe I'm missing something.

[McCoy]

The zimmerit design is more like the one used on the A.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by McCoy

The zimmerit design is more like the one used on the A.

Wait, how does zimmerit link to an Ausf. designation? I've seen varying designs and thickness of application.

[McCoy]

Ausf. D pattern

Ausf. A pattern

Ausf. G pattern


Variations from this was common later on late A's n' early G's

Zimmerit designs in German AFV's

[LAH 1 SS]

mccoy is actually correct the early ausf a shared the zimmerit and the hull machine gun slit of the ausf d the ausf a actualy had the joins of the hull welded and not dovetailed like the ausf d the a was also fitted with 100mm cast cupola unlike the drum cupola fittted to the d NO panther d was ever fitted with a cast cupola the ausf a also had a loaders periscope fitted the d never did. this photo shows two panther a's the closest panther being produced before november 43 becuase it still has the machine gun slit and the other panther is after november 43 becuase the ball mounted hull machine gun was introduced and produced after 43 along with a couple of changes to the main gun and optics

[cyberia]

OK, give me until tomorrow. I have some photos that might interest you.

[LAH 1 SS]

with out seeing the side veiw of both tanks to confirm if the dovetailing or welding of the hull commen to both the d and a models it is hard to tell dont forget guys the hulls were identical so both turrets could be used on either hull. the turret is the factor that points towards both panthers being of the a series

[Whiterook]

Originally Posted by McCoy

Ausf. D pattern

Ausf. A pattern

Ausf. G pattern


Variations from this was common later on late A's n' early G's

Zimmerit designs in German AFV's

Good heaven's Urban...you're amazing!

[Hagen]

Command Panther;

[Pirate-Drakk]

Originally Posted by Hagen

Command Panther;

You mean the one on the right with the special splay antennae?