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Panther-Fibel

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 5:58 pm
by Dr Phibes
Today I received a couple of new books from the Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset, including the Panther-Fibel. This is a faithful reproduction, translated into English, of the original Panther information and operating manual given to new tank crew as part of their training. Apart from the translation into English it is otherwise an accurate reproduction of the original and is intentionally quite humorous and jovial throughout. It was thought at the time that this would better maintain the attention of prospective Panther tankers, though I'm not so sure. It is apparently, though, both a funny and yet very insightful and informative publication (though I have not yet read it through myself :shh: ).
In any case the Tank Museum seem to have done an marvellous job with a novel project. Incidentally, they have also produced a 'Tiger-fibel' but I don't yet have that one.
Anyway, here are a few pages (click on to images enlarge);
Panther Fibel-1.jpg
The inside of the front cover holds a couple extras, a small art poster of the Panther, and a Panther board game!
The inside of the front cover holds a couple extras, a small art poster of the Panther, and a Panther board game!
Panther Fibel-3.jpg
Panther Fibel-4.jpg
Panther Fibel-5.jpg
Panther Fibel-6.jpg
Panther Fibel-7.jpg
Panther Fibel-8.jpg
Panther Fibel-9.jpg
At the back of the manual there are fold-outs with assessments of allied and Soviet tanks the Panther might come up against, and how to deal with them.
At the back of the manual there are fold-outs with assessments of allied and Soviet tanks the Panther might come up against, and how to deal with them.

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2021 8:55 pm
by 43rdRecceReg
Thanks, Doc! :D
By a happy coincidence, this is the tome I linked Eric 'EAO' to, in my recent thread on the fate of Brit-built Panthers. Now he, indeed we all, can see what a great coffee table piece it will be. Certainly an excusable must-have example of Christmas self-indulgence. :D :thumbup:

edit: The cheery-looking illustrations stand in stark contrast to the actual purpose of the tank, and its formidable weaponry. ;)

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 2:46 pm
by Dr Phibes
43rdRecceReg wrote:Thanks, Doc! :D
By a happy coincidence, this is the tome I linked Eric 'EAO' to, in my recent thread on the fate of Brit-built Panthers. Now he, indeed we all, can see what a great coffee table piece it will be. Certainly an excusable must-have example of Christmas self-indulgence. :D :thumbup:

edit: The cheery-looking illustrations stand in stark contrast to the actual purpose of the tank, and its formidable weaponry. ;)

I agree 43rd, the tone is jovial yet as you suggest the contrast with the intended function of these machines is evident. I'm not sure, given what we know was to follow at that time, whether it is comic or rather tragic! 8O That said it is, as you say, certainly a candidate for Christmas self-indulgence. A Panther enthusiast might even want to slip it into a Christmas list or two :D :shh: It isn't cheap at £35 however, although in my opinion well worth the investment for it's place in history and as an unusual discussion piece :thumbup: .

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 6:08 am
by HERMAN BIX
I wish that was on the option list for the routine "secret Santa" this year :/
I was familiar with the Tiger Fibel, but was unaware of the Panther equivalent.
great post of overlooked Tank essentials :thumbup:

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:41 pm
by Herr Dr. Professor
Ooooh! "Friction!" Does she come with the book (which book I will order as soon as the money tree drops a few leaves)? Thanks for the tip on the Pantherfibel. I have two versions of the Tigerfibel, but wasn't even aware of the Pantherfibel.

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:05 pm
by EAO
43rdRecceReg wrote:Thanks, Doc! :D
By a happy coincidence, this is the tome I linked Eric 'EAO' to, in my recent thread on the fate of Brit-built Panthers. Now he, indeed we all, can see what a great coffee table piece it will be. Certainly, an excusable must-have example of Christmas self-indulgence. :D :thumbup:
Well smack my a## and call me Judy! That's what I forgot for Christmas...a gift to myself! :D 43rdRR, thanks for the timely reminder! I've now ordered it and a few other goodies too! The January New Year's sale made the price not too bad. Plus it's nice to support one of the greatest armor museums in existence. I may never get to visit but at least I'll have something from there!

I believe I knew about the existence of the Panther Fibel.:think: It has been a long time, but about 15 years ago I was offered an original Tiger Fibel. Both that I had seen were heavily worn and had loose pages or missing pages. At the time they were pushing $650 to $950 U.S. dollars. I passed on both, saving my money expecting to eventually pick up an original Panzer relic. But alas, that has not yet happened. :( In hindsight I really should have taken the deal, think how much I'd save on shipping! :lolno: At any rate, thanks for the reminder! :thumbup: :wave:

Cheers,
Eric.

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:54 pm
by Herr Dr. Professor
I do hope you noticed the "shot glass" pictured in Bovington's online store. Alas, it's sold out. I hope they get more. Then I can order books and shot glasses for gifts and make the postage worthwhile. Cute story: three or four years ago, a primary-school aged youngster from the UK visited his grandmother, a neighbor here in rural southern Wisconsin. He brought one of the Bovington encyclopedias to my house because he wanted to trade for a U.S. book.

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 5:58 pm
by EAO
Yipee,

11 days from placing the order to receiving it from The Tank Museum! All in perfect shape! The Haynes manual looks like a good read too! Perhaps things in this messed up world are improving?! Or maybe it's just my new medication?!? :wtf:

Cheers,
Eric.

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 6:44 pm
by Jimster
Did someone mention shot glasses! 8)

Re: Panther-Fibel

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 6:47 pm
by Dr Phibes
Glad it arrived EAO, and reasonably quite too it seems. The Haynes manual is good with some excellent images as well.
I'm thinking I must now add the 'Tiger Fibel' but I will hopefully be able to pick it up at the next Bovington 'Tiger day' (this April). I'm very lucky to live relatively near to the Tank Museum (about 60 miles) but never got to this event before so really looking forward to it. No doubt I will waste (so my wife calls it anyway) too much on 'stuff' :clap: :haha: