Calling All Panther G Experts: Historical Accuracy Questions
Posted: Wed May 19, 2021 6:40 pm
Hello Gents,
I have been a very, good boy for the duration of this Pandemic thing. Our business circling the drain made any extra purchases impossible. I just rolled my sports car out of the garage last Friday, after letting it sit for all of last year's driving season due to this dearth of money. I've also been smoking the cheapest, hand rolled cigars I could find. I've almost got the Wife convinced to allow me to have another RC tank, as our business is finally picking up again.
I've had a love affair with the Panther G forever. I've decided that this will probably be my next tank; however, I do have some questions for the Pro's out there. So after researching all my books, this Forum, and the internet, I have these questions remaining. From what I could find the G was built from mid '43 to the final end of the war. I'm fascinated with the "Ambush" camo schemes, and would like to use one from the Eastern Front in Oct. of '44. I know that in mid Aug. of '44 the order for "Ambush" camo patterns to be applied at the factories went out. I believe it applied to MAN, DB, and MNH. I also have a love of Zimmerit. I know that in early Sept. of '44 the order went out to stop applying the covering. Has anyone seen historical evidence of a Zimmerit covered G with the "Ambush" camo scheme? Of course, this would be a G with the "dished", rubber rimmed road wheels like on the early, and mid Tiger 1's (I'm not sure when the Panther started showing up with the late war, all metal road wheels). If the camo pattern and Zimmerit were possible at the same time, what pattern would the Zimmerit have been applied as?
I also love the look of extra road wheels carried on either the rear hull sides, or the sides of the turret of the Panther. I know the Panzer Lehr Division was fond of kitting their Panther's out like this. I have seen photographic evidence of one or two road wheels on either side of the rear hull, along with photos of one or two on the turret sides. Has anyone seen a combination of turret and hull mounted road wheels in any number or combination? In this same matter, I've seen road wheels and even spare track links over sprayed with whatever camo pattern the tank wore. I'm assuming this was probably done in the field? If the tank was painted fully at the factory, would the road wheels (in particular) be painted to blend into the "Ambush" camo, or wear the attractive red, oxide primer? There maybe no hard and fast rules to this area, but any ideas on it would be great.
Finally, a big thanks goes out to our own Tom Hugill for allowing me to use his beautiful Panther G to help illustrate what I'll be talking about next. I know that in May of '44 the Panther exhaust was changed to eliminate the extra pipe of the A model. I also know that the purpose built flame suppressor was implemented in Oct. '44. I guessing Tom's picture would be displaying the temporary, sheet metal covers that started in appearing in June of '44?
Oh, and one more thing! Has anyone seen an MG42 mounted on a Panther for AA defense? I've only seen pictures of MG34's? At one point, some website claimed they only used 34's due to lower amounts of ammo expended and easier barrel changes!?!
So, in essence, could one have a Panther G wearing "Ambush" camo pattern, with the huge curved exhaust coverings, with Zimmerit, and any combination of road wheels on the rear hull and turret, with a MG42? And what color would these said extra road wheels be? Any questions?
As I've said, this project may happen! If it does, it won't be 100% accurate like you "historical purists" pull off all the time (I avoid the use of the term "rivet counters" as I find it slightly derogatory and I'm in awe of your skills and workmanship). But alas, it is not for me. Even as a child building static kits, I've never been able to do one "like the picture on the box". There was always something I would change to make it "my own". A different tactical symbol, combination of numbers, etc. Don't know why, but I've always thought it would look cooler if just tweaked a little. But I have found that holding my breath and stomping my feet has slowly worn down my Wife, this much is for certain! Just don't try holding your breath while puffing on a "big dog log" as you can black out and end up on the kitchen floor!
Many thanks in advance Guys.
Cheers,
Eric.
I have been a very, good boy for the duration of this Pandemic thing. Our business circling the drain made any extra purchases impossible. I just rolled my sports car out of the garage last Friday, after letting it sit for all of last year's driving season due to this dearth of money. I've also been smoking the cheapest, hand rolled cigars I could find. I've almost got the Wife convinced to allow me to have another RC tank, as our business is finally picking up again.
I've had a love affair with the Panther G forever. I've decided that this will probably be my next tank; however, I do have some questions for the Pro's out there. So after researching all my books, this Forum, and the internet, I have these questions remaining. From what I could find the G was built from mid '43 to the final end of the war. I'm fascinated with the "Ambush" camo schemes, and would like to use one from the Eastern Front in Oct. of '44. I know that in mid Aug. of '44 the order for "Ambush" camo patterns to be applied at the factories went out. I believe it applied to MAN, DB, and MNH. I also have a love of Zimmerit. I know that in early Sept. of '44 the order went out to stop applying the covering. Has anyone seen historical evidence of a Zimmerit covered G with the "Ambush" camo scheme? Of course, this would be a G with the "dished", rubber rimmed road wheels like on the early, and mid Tiger 1's (I'm not sure when the Panther started showing up with the late war, all metal road wheels). If the camo pattern and Zimmerit were possible at the same time, what pattern would the Zimmerit have been applied as?
I also love the look of extra road wheels carried on either the rear hull sides, or the sides of the turret of the Panther. I know the Panzer Lehr Division was fond of kitting their Panther's out like this. I have seen photographic evidence of one or two road wheels on either side of the rear hull, along with photos of one or two on the turret sides. Has anyone seen a combination of turret and hull mounted road wheels in any number or combination? In this same matter, I've seen road wheels and even spare track links over sprayed with whatever camo pattern the tank wore. I'm assuming this was probably done in the field? If the tank was painted fully at the factory, would the road wheels (in particular) be painted to blend into the "Ambush" camo, or wear the attractive red, oxide primer? There maybe no hard and fast rules to this area, but any ideas on it would be great.
Finally, a big thanks goes out to our own Tom Hugill for allowing me to use his beautiful Panther G to help illustrate what I'll be talking about next. I know that in May of '44 the Panther exhaust was changed to eliminate the extra pipe of the A model. I also know that the purpose built flame suppressor was implemented in Oct. '44. I guessing Tom's picture would be displaying the temporary, sheet metal covers that started in appearing in June of '44?
Oh, and one more thing! Has anyone seen an MG42 mounted on a Panther for AA defense? I've only seen pictures of MG34's? At one point, some website claimed they only used 34's due to lower amounts of ammo expended and easier barrel changes!?!
So, in essence, could one have a Panther G wearing "Ambush" camo pattern, with the huge curved exhaust coverings, with Zimmerit, and any combination of road wheels on the rear hull and turret, with a MG42? And what color would these said extra road wheels be? Any questions?
As I've said, this project may happen! If it does, it won't be 100% accurate like you "historical purists" pull off all the time (I avoid the use of the term "rivet counters" as I find it slightly derogatory and I'm in awe of your skills and workmanship). But alas, it is not for me. Even as a child building static kits, I've never been able to do one "like the picture on the box". There was always something I would change to make it "my own". A different tactical symbol, combination of numbers, etc. Don't know why, but I've always thought it would look cooler if just tweaked a little. But I have found that holding my breath and stomping my feet has slowly worn down my Wife, this much is for certain! Just don't try holding your breath while puffing on a "big dog log" as you can black out and end up on the kitchen floor!
Many thanks in advance Guys.
Cheers,
Eric.