±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: cgsimpson
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6645

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 543
Total: 543
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Community Forums
03: Community Forums
04: Community Forums
05: Community Forums
06: Community Forums
07: Photo Gallery
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: Community Forums
11: Community Forums
12: Community Forums
13: Community Forums
14: Community Forums
15: Photo Gallery
16: Downloads
17: Photo Gallery
18: Community Forums
19: Your Account
20: Photo Gallery
21: Community Forums
22: Downloads
23: Community Forums
24: Your Account
25: Community Forums
26: Photo Gallery
27: Community Forums
28: Photo Gallery
29: Community Forums
30: Community Forums
31: Photo Gallery
32: Community Forums
33: Community Forums
34: Community Forums
35: Downloads
36: Community Forums
37: Community Forums
38: Community Forums
39: News
40: Member Screenshots
41: Community Forums
42: Community Forums
43: Home
44: Community Forums
45: Community Forums
46: Community Forums
47: Photo Gallery
48: Community Forums
49: Community Forums
50: Community Forums
51: Home
52: Home
53: Community Forums
54: Community Forums
55: Community Forums
56: Your Account
57: Photo Gallery
58: Community Forums
59: Community Forums
60: Community Forums
61: Community Forums
62: Community Forums
63: Community Forums
64: Photo Gallery
65: Community Forums
66: Home
67: Photo Gallery
68: Community Forums
69: Community Forums
70: Downloads
71: Photo Gallery
72: Community Forums
73: Home
74: Home
75: Photo Gallery
76: Community Forums
77: Community Forums
78: Community Forums
79: Downloads
80: Community Forums
81: Community Forums
82: Community Forums
83: Statistics
84: Photo Gallery
85: Community Forums
86: Photo Gallery
87: Home
88: CPGlang
89: Home
90: Community Forums
91: Community Forums
92: Community Forums
93: Member Screenshots
94: Photo Gallery
95: Photo Gallery
96: Community Forums
97: Community Forums
98: Community Forums
99: Member Screenshots
100: Community Forums
101: Community Forums
102: Home
103: Downloads
104: Community Forums
105: Community Forums
106: Photo Gallery
107: CPGlang
108: Home
109: Community Forums
110: Your Account
111: Home
112: Community Forums
113: Community Forums
114: Community Forums
115: Home
116: Downloads
117: Photo Gallery
118: Community Forums
119: Community Forums
120: Downloads
121: Downloads
122: Community Forums
123: Community Forums
124: Community Forums
125: Community Forums
126: Photo Gallery
127: Community Forums
128: Home
129: Community Forums
130: Community Forums
131: Community Forums
132: Community Forums
133: Photo Gallery
134: Community Forums
135: Photo Gallery
136: Community Forums
137: Community Forums
138: Community Forums
139: Community Forums
140: Home
141: Community Forums
142: Photo Gallery
143: Community Forums
144: Community Forums
145: Photo Gallery
146: Community Forums
147: CPGlang
148: Community Forums
149: Community Forums
150: Downloads
151: Your Account
152: Community Forums
153: Community Forums
154: Community Forums
155: Home
156: Community Forums
157: Community Forums
158: Community Forums
159: Community Forums
160: Community Forums
161: Community Forums
162: Community Forums
163: Community Forums
164: Community Forums
165: Community Forums
166: Community Forums
167: Your Account
168: Home
169: Community Forums
170: Your Account
171: Community Forums
172: Community Forums
173: Community Forums
174: Home
175: Home
176: Community Forums
177: Statistics
178: Community Forums
179: Photo Gallery
180: Community Forums
181: Community Forums
182: Your Account
183: Community Forums
184: Community Forums
185: Home
186: Photo Gallery
187: Community Forums
188: Community Forums
189: Photo Gallery
190: Photo Gallery
191: Photo Gallery
192: Community Forums
193: Community Forums
194: Community Forums
195: Home
196: Photo Gallery
197: Community Forums
198: Community Forums
199: Community Forums
200: Community Forums
201: Community Forums
202: Community Forums
203: Home
204: CPGlang
205: Community Forums
206: Community Forums
207: Community Forums
208: Community Forums
209: CPGlang
210: Community Forums
211: Community Forums
212: Community Forums
213: Community Forums
214: Community Forums
215: Community Forums
216: Community Forums
217: Community Forums
218: Community Forums
219: Community Forums
220: Community Forums
221: Community Forums
222: Community Forums
223: Photo Gallery
224: Community Forums
225: Home
226: Community Forums
227: Community Forums
228: Community Forums
229: Community Forums
230: Home
231: Photo Gallery
232: Member Screenshots
233: Community Forums
234: Community Forums
235: Community Forums
236: Community Forums
237: Community Forums
238: Community Forums
239: Photo Gallery
240: Community Forums
241: Downloads
242: Home
243: Home
244: Community Forums
245: Photo Gallery
246: Community Forums
247: Home
248: Community Forums
249: Community Forums
250: Community Forums
251: Community Forums
252: Photo Gallery
253: Photo Gallery
254: Community Forums
255: Community Forums
256: Community Forums
257: Photo Gallery
258: Photo Gallery
259: Community Forums
260: Community Forums
261: Photo Gallery
262: Home
263: Photo Gallery
264: Community Forums
265: Photo Gallery
266: Photo Gallery
267: Community Forums
268: Community Forums
269: Photo Gallery
270: Community Forums
271: Community Forums
272: Community Forums
273: Community Forums
274: Home
275: Photo Gallery
276: Photo Gallery
277: Downloads
278: Community Forums
279: Statistics
280: Community Forums
281: Community Forums
282: Home
283: Home
284: Photo Gallery
285: Community Forums
286: Downloads
287: Community Forums
288: Community Forums
289: Community Forums
290: Community Forums
291: Photo Gallery
292: Community Forums
293: Downloads
294: Community Forums
295: Community Forums
296: Community Forums
297: Home
298: Photo Gallery
299: Community Forums
300: Community Forums
301: Community Forums
302: Community Forums
303: Community Forums
304: Community Forums
305: Community Forums
306: Community Forums
307: Community Forums
308: Community Forums
309: Community Forums
310: Home
311: Community Forums
312: Community Forums
313: Photo Gallery
314: Community Forums
315: Home
316: News Archive
317: Community Forums
318: Photo Gallery
319: Community Forums
320: Community Forums
321: Community Forums
322: Community Forums
323: Home
324: Photo Gallery
325: Photo Gallery
326: Community Forums
327: Home
328: Home
329: Community Forums
330: Photo Gallery
331: Photo Gallery
332: Downloads
333: Community Forums
334: Downloads
335: Community Forums
336: Community Forums
337: Community Forums
338: Community Forums
339: Home
340: Community Forums
341: Home
342: Community Forums
343: Community Forums
344: Photo Gallery
345: Community Forums
346: Community Forums
347: Community Forums
348: Home
349: Community Forums
350: Community Forums
351: Community Forums
352: Community Forums
353: Photo Gallery
354: Community Forums
355: CPGlang
356: Photo Gallery
357: CPGlang
358: Community Forums
359: Community Forums
360: Home
361: Community Forums
362: Member Screenshots
363: Community Forums
364: Community Forums
365: Photo Gallery
366: Community Forums
367: Community Forums
368: Home
369: Community Forums
370: Photo Gallery
371: Community Forums
372: Community Forums
373: Downloads
374: Downloads
375: Community Forums
376: Member Screenshots
377: Photo Gallery
378: Community Forums
379: Photo Gallery
380: Community Forums
381: Community Forums
382: Community Forums
383: Photo Gallery
384: Community Forums
385: Member Screenshots
386: Photo Gallery
387: Community Forums
388: Downloads
389: Community Forums
390: Community Forums
391: Photo Gallery
392: Member Screenshots
393: Community Forums
394: Community Forums
395: Community Forums
396: Photo Gallery
397: Community Forums
398: Photo Gallery
399: Community Forums
400: Community Forums
401: Community Forums
402: Downloads
403: Community Forums
404: Photo Gallery
405: Community Forums
406: Community Forums
407: Photo Gallery
408: Home
409: Downloads
410: Photo Gallery
411: Community Forums
412: Community Forums
413: Community Forums
414: Community Forums
415: Community Forums
416: Community Forums
417: Community Forums
418: Community Forums
419: Downloads
420: Community Forums
421: Community Forums
422: Photo Gallery
423: Photo Gallery
424: Community Forums
425: Community Forums
426: Community Forums
427: Community Forums
428: Home
429: Community Forums
430: Community Forums
431: Community Forums
432: Community Forums
433: Your Account
434: CPGlang
435: Community Forums
436: Photo Gallery
437: Community Forums
438: Community Forums
439: Community Forums
440: Photo Gallery
441: Photo Gallery
442: Downloads
443: Community Forums
444: Community Forums
445: Photo Gallery
446: Photo Gallery
447: Photo Gallery
448: Your Account
449: Community Forums
450: Community Forums
451: Photo Gallery
452: Community Forums
453: Community Forums
454: Home
455: Community Forums
456: Community Forums
457: Community Forums
458: Community Forums
459: Home
460: Member Screenshots
461: Photo Gallery
462: Community Forums
463: Community Forums
464: Home
465: Downloads
466: Home
467: Community Forums
468: Community Forums
469: Home
470: Community Forums
471: Photo Gallery
472: Community Forums
473: Photo Gallery
474: Home
475: Community Forums
476: Community Forums
477: Community Forums
478: Community Forums
479: Community Forums
480: Community Forums
481: Photo Gallery
482: Downloads
483: Community Forums
484: Photo Gallery
485: Statistics
486: Community Forums
487: Photo Gallery
488: Community Forums
489: Your Account
490: Community Forums
491: Community Forums
492: Community Forums
493: Community Forums
494: Home
495: Photo Gallery
496: Community Forums
497: Home
498: Photo Gallery
499: Downloads
500: Community Forums
501: Community Forums
502: Statistics
503: Community Forums
504: Photo Gallery
505: Community Forums
506: Community Forums
507: Community Forums
508: Community Forums
509: Community Forums
510: Community Forums
511: Home
512: Community Forums
513: Community Forums
514: Community Forums
515: Photo Gallery
516: Downloads
517: Photo Gallery
518: Community Forums
519: Downloads
520: Community Forums
521: Community Forums
522: Photo Gallery
523: Community Forums
524: CPGlang
525: Community Forums
526: Community Forums
527: Community Forums
528: Community Forums
529: Community Forums
530: Community Forums
531: Community Forums
532: Community Forums
533: Community Forums
534: Community Forums
535: Community Forums
536: Community Forums
537: Photo Gallery
538: Community Forums
539: Community Forums
540: Community Forums
541: Community Forums
542: Community Forums
543: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
California Panther Restoration
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
elauterbach
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 16

PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:30 pm
Post subject: California Panther Restoration

Does anyone have any information on the Panther that is being restored in California? In all the pictures that I have seen, it looks like it is progressing very nicely.
Eric
Back to top
View user's profile
toadmanstankpictures
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 704

PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:40 pm
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

I'm up there about once a month visiting. Click this link to my website to see a series of photo updates starting with March of 2004: Littlefield Panther restoration

I'll have a new update next week as I plan on visiting again next Saturday.

_________________
Chris "toadman" Hughes
www.toadmanstankpictures.com
www.cafepress.com/toad...ksandstuff
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
zundappuk
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 65
Location: Behind the Westwall, really!
PostPosted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:37 am
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

- toadmanstankpictures
I'm up there about once a month visiting. Click this link to my website to see a series of photo updates starting with March of 2004: Littlefield Panther restoration

I'll have a new update next week as I plan on visiting again next Saturday.


Yup, Jacques is coming on nicely.

This is Kevin Wheatcrofts in the UK, I visit Kevin every couple of months or so.
He has three Panthers. This is his early Ausf A. This should roll under its on power in 2007.

DAvid

Back to top
View user's profile
Maple_Leaf_Eh
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 517

PostPosted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:39 pm
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

After seeing the 'as found' condition of many of these parts, I am utterly amazed at the workmanship of their restoration. Yes, the number of new build parts is not always clear, but man are these guys good! Please express our collective amazement and appreciation.
Back to top
View user's profile
Rikard_Hufschmied
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 458
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:50 pm
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

David,

Those tracks are the ones Kevin had cast new aren't they? Do you know if Littlefield had a part in the track batch? I know that the "Panther Collectors" try to team up for manufacture of replacement parts to keep costs down.

I could have sworn that that Panther was a late Ausf. D though ...



Cheers,
Rik
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
zundappuk
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 65
Location: Behind the Westwall, really!
PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:51 am
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

Rik,


I am no Panther expert (Zundapp KS750 and Steyr 1500 I am) So I had assumed that the later cupola indicated one of the main differences between D and A Ausfs ? The three main private Panther restorers have co-operated on certain parts. The main one was in producing new torsion bars. Originally the WTS in Koblenz had some made for their JagPanther, so Mike Gibb, Jacques Littlefield and Kevin Wheatcroft jumped on board too. Kevin showed my some time back the new made track links (now black cad plated) also new made drive sprockets and new made rubber tyres (tires for the US readers).

David





- Rikard_Hufschmied
David,

Those tracks are the ones Kevin had cast new aren't they? Do you know if Littlefield had a part in the track batch? I know that the "Panther Collectors" try to team up for manufacture of replacement parts to keep costs down.

I could have sworn that that Panther was a late Ausf. D though ...



Cheers,
Rik
Back to top
View user's profile
Rikard_Hufschmied
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 458
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:41 am
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

David,

Could you please ask Kevin what make it really is, because I see some indications that it's not an A but indeed a D (altough late). The main D factor is the slot/flap MG mount in the front glacis, this was replaced by the ball mount on the Ausf.A.

However, there was a substantial production overlap in the shift from D to A and there are some indications that it's an early A, the main factor here being the doubled amount of reinforcing rim-bolts on the roadwheels.

The turret with the new style commanders cupola and pistol ports could go either way, it was fitted both to late D:s and early A:s. On the mid and late A:s the pistol ports were deleted once and for all.

So what do we have here, a late D, an early A or a D/A hybrid?

Mr.Wheatcrofts Panther as it was first presented on the web:



An Early production Ausf.A:




It's a fantastic restoration nevertheless and it will be amazing to see it move under its own power!

Cheers,
Rik
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Jens_O_Mehner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 511
Location: Giessen, Germany
PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:44 am
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

Rikard,

throw away your old references, as a matter of fact the cupola is the main indicator if it's an A or a D- no As were built with the drum cupola, as indicated by the latest research by Tom Jentz, there was no physical way to mate the drum cupola to the A turret, since the mounting points were of a totally different design.

The glacis MG mount is no indicator, as you've already noted, early As were built with the flap.

Cheers,

Jens O.
Back to top
View user's profile
Rikard_Hufschmied
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 458
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:20 pm
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

- Jens_O_Mehner
Rikard,

throw away your old references, as a matter of fact the cupola is the main indicator if it's an A or a D- no As were built with the drum cupola, as indicated by the latest research by Tom Jentz, there was no physical way to mate the drum cupola to the A turret, since the mounting points were of a totally different design.

The glacis MG mount is no indicator, as you've already noted, early As were built with the flap.

Cheers,

Jens O.


Ok, point taken but as there is a hybrid Panther D/A still in existence (Thun) I thought the question merited some consideration. I know there were no A:s built with the drum cupola. And it still doesn't explain why there were D:s built with same turret as on the early A:s (with the periscope commanders cupola) or are my references totally shot on that point as well? I'd love to see if there is an episcope for the loaders position on the Wheatcroft turret cause that would settle it, it would be an A.

I'm the first to admit though that I'm no expert on the Panther ... yet. So any help and insight in correcting or discarding sources are most welcome.

Cheers,
Rik
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:40 pm
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

A question which comes to mind about the variant confusion...

Would a 'field maint point' have pieced together the ausf A & ausf D based on getting combat power back in the fight?

From the perspective of a 'tanker', with very basic understanding of the Panther, I would think that an inventive (& resourceful) maintenance crew would canibalize whatever they had on hand.

My perception of German maintenance personnel is that they kept the force going by recovering & recycling a massive amount of combat power.

Would there be merit in this idea?

Can the 'ausf A' hull or turret be matched with the 'ausf D' hull or turret?

_________________
"Gonna hold my breath until Armor returns home..."
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Dubliner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 94

PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:35 am
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

nt


Last edited by Dubliner on Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:07 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile
Rikard_Hufschmied
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 458
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 11:11 am
Post subject: Re: California Panther Restoration

- Dubliner
Jentz's Panzer Tracts No. 5-2 - Panzerkampfwagen "Panther"Ausf.A clears up the Ausf D / Ausf A differences once and for all. You can not tell them apart just based on the drum cupola. A few As had drum cupola.


I'm a tad embarrassed to say I haven't sampled it yet, it's on my list on "have to get" though.

I've always had the D/A discrepancies down to the rushed nature of the Panthers development and production; with recalls, combat repairs and quick production line shifts producing more or less hybrid veichles.

Thank's for the help!

Cheers,
Rik
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 6 Hours



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum