Panther tanks with Panzer IV turrets

[AshMann]

I found these while browsing the Tanks Encyclopedia. And these really caught my eye, I might try to make one of these after i get my sherman tank. I found a picture of one as well. I also included my own spin on one of these tanks.

[Woz]

This was a Bergepanther that had a Pz IV welded on top so the turret couldn't turn.

[AshMann]

This was a Bergepanther that had a Pz IV welded on top so the turret couldn't turn.

So.....the panther couldnt turn the turret if it had a panzer IV turret on it?

[Markocaster]

That is cool Ash, I have seen it in a book I have , will have a look and see if there is any info on it

[Gillaspy2005]

That's a really cool photo, not least for the Porsche tiger 1 in front of the panther chassis. Good find!

[Woz]

This was a Bergepanther that had a Pz IV welded on top so the turret couldn't turn.

So.....the panther couldnt turn the turret if it had a panzer IV turret on it?

From what I've read about this one it was just welded on and couldn't turn. Just came across this-

"This unique vehicle is another from the inventory of schw. pz. jäg. Abt. 653. This chassis and hull is clearly that of a Panther Ausf. D., while the turret appears to be from a Panzer IV Ausf. G, H, or J (with the additional side armor). The vehicle was used in the command section of the unit.

This vehicle apparently has a rather long history. The first modification to the original Panther was conversion to Bergepanther. At some point it was decided to then convert the Bergepanther to a command vehicle. At this point, the Panzer IV turret was added (apparently along with the Panzer IV turret ring to replace the hull top removed to create the Bergepanther). "

Most command tanks carried extra radios and didn't have room inside the turret for a gun so they had a dummy barrel. As it had a dummy gun I don't think they'd go to all the trouble of trying to get the turret to rotate.

In your photo there is a Tiger (P) which was also used as a command vehicle (it was also the only Tiger (P) to see combat)


This guy did a good 1/35 build of it-

http://panzerserra.blogspot.co.uk/2014/ ... fw-iv.html

[AshMann]

This was a Bergepanther that had a Pz IV welded on top so the turret couldn't turn.

So.....the panther couldnt turn the turret if it had a panzer IV turret on it?

From what I've read about this one it was just welded on and couldn't turn. Just came across this-

"This unique vehicle is another from the inventory of schw. pz. jäg. Abt. 653. This chassis and hull is clearly that of a Panther Ausf. D., while the turret appears to be from a Panzer IV Ausf. G, H, or J (with the additional side armor). The vehicle was used in the command section of the unit.

This vehicle apparently has a rather long history. The first modification to the original Panther was conversion to Bergepanther. At some point it was decided to then convert the Bergepanther to a command vehicle. At this point, the Panzer IV turret was added (apparently along with the Panzer IV turret ring to replace the hull top removed to create the Bergepanther). "

Most command tanks carried extra radios and didn't have room inside the turret for a gun so they had a dummy barrel. As it had a dummy gun I don't think they'd go to all the trouble of trying to get the turret to rotate.

In your photo there is a Tiger (P) which was also used as a command vehicle (it was also the only Tiger (P) to see combat)


This guy did a good 1/35 build of it-

http://panzerserra.blogspot.co.uk/2014/ ... fw-iv.html

Well would the turret still be functional if radio equipment wasnt put inside the turret?

[Raminator]

No, the turret is just there to house the radios and disguise the tank's purpose from the enemy; a command tank would be a high-priority target.

[AshMann]

No, the turret is just there to house the radios and disguise the tank's purpose from the enemy; a command tank would be a high-priority target.

Dang. I really wanted to build something like this, with the turret being functional and everything. Not sure if it can even be done though

[Raminator]

There's no reason you can't, loads of people make paper panzers and experimental vehicles. Build a tank you think looks cool, you can always rationalise it later if you need to!