Running Panthers

ajmac · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Nov 14, 2011 Posts: 37

I know that the JL machine is a runner with the original Maybach V12, as is Saumur and Weald Foundation Jagdpanther. Question is are any of the other running Panthers using original Maybach V12s? I am really looking forward to the day that we get the Wheatcroft Panther Model D and Bovington Tiger I at TankFest Smile

PS. Did anyone go to the Tiger Day at Bovington? What happened?

Pzkpfw-e · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jul 21, 2010 Posts: 1202

The one's at WTS in Koblenz (Panther & Jagdpanther), Flick's, Kubinka's, the Panther II is probably a runner, ditto Bov's Pather & Jagdpanther (Maybe a bit of work needed)

Massimo_Foti · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 7:45 am Post subject: Re: Running Panthers

ajmac wrote:

PS. Did anyone go to the Tiger Day at Bovington? What happened?

You can see some pictures on flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/...032286625/
www.flickr.com/photos/...886851050/

Massimo

Dontos · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Running Panthers

The Panther II was operationally restored in the 1970's and made appearences annually at the Memorial Day, Patton Museum events.

It was 'parked' in the 80's and hasn't been run or even started since that time.

It was restored with a combination effort of the Panther Ausf G that was also in the collection.

The Panther II will probably never be run again, so I don't consider it to be a 'runner'. Especially since it has been moved to Ft Benning.

Regards
Don

Koluchiy · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: May 19, 2009 Posts: 178

Kubinka' Panther Ausf.G has original 230P30.

Koluchiy · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: May 19, 2009 Posts: 178

Do Wheatcroft has completed at least one Panther?

Pzkpfw-e · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jul 21, 2010 Posts: 1202

Not that we know of. His early Panther A looks close to completion, but their website is updated less often than a tramp changes his socks!

Pzkpfw-e · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jul 21, 2010 Posts: 1202

Dontos wrote:

It was 'parked' in the 80's and hasn't been run or even started since that time.
Regards
Don

So it'll take a bit more than a new set of spark plugs, a splash of petrol & a set of jump leads?

Dontos · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: Running Panthers

I would imagine so, but you never know......

Regards
Don

Rikard_Hufschmied · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:02 am Post subject: Re: Running Panthers

If my memory serves I seem to recall that the WTS Koblenz Panther G and Jagdpanther are both fitted with modern MTU diesels, in the pattern of the Münster Panther A, or am I way off?

The Wheatcroft Panthers will all have rebuilt original Maybach engines when competed. The list of possible Panther runners (without to much work) could be made quite long, albeit hypothetical. It's, as always, an issue of funding.

Michel_Krauss · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: Running Panthers

Pzkpfw-e wrote:

Dontos wrote:

It was 'parked' in the 80's and hasn't been run or even started since that time.
Regards
Don

So it'll take a bit more than a new set of spark plugs, a splash of petrol & a set of jump leads?

Dontos wrote:

I would imagine so, but you never know......

Regards
Don

There was an short article at War History Online about the running periode of the Panther II.
They stopped running the vehicle because they burned all most all spare carburetors.
The burning of the carburetors was caused by back fires from the engine.

Because of this they decided to stop.
So I think it will take some more effort to get it back running.

Also this Panther II is not a real tank, it's actual an experimental vehicle made-up of mild steel.
When found it was a empty hull, with only a drivers position, a sabotaged engine and dead weight to simulate a turret.

Michel

Dontos · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:52 am Post subject: Re: Running Panthers

When the Panther II was discovered & then transported to APG (initially) it was turretless.

At APG it was mounted with the turret from Panther Ausf G (FN ukn)

It then went to the Smithsonian in DC for a period of time.

When it was transferred to the Patton Museum in the early 70's, the Panther II and the Panther Ausf G (FN 121455) were completely disassembled. The decision was made to operationally restore the Panther II, using parts from the Panther Ausf G, which had been at the Patton since 1949.

The restoration was done at the Boatwright Tank Maintenance Facility on Ft Knox. Once the Panther II was completed, all the remaining parts were crated and stored.

A few of the long term volunteers who crewed the Panther II when it was operational have related the fire problems which forced a safety decision to park it.

Personally I have always wondered why the Panther II was restored, since it was an incomplete prototype and not a 'combat veteran'. I felt the Ausf G we had, was far more worthy of a tank to restore since it was a fielded vehicle with a traceable history. As such, deserved to be more than a stripped out rusting hulk, that it became.

I guess it really doesn't matter now since its all gone to 'storage' at Ft Benning.

Regards
Don

VonForhud · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 17, 2010 Posts: 162

Uh I dont like the sound of "storage".

What are they doing with it?

Massimo_Foti · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: Running Panthers

VonForhud wrote:

Uh I dont like the sound of "storage".

What are they doing with it?

They store it Laughing

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Actually the reality of artifacts moved from Aberdeen and Ft Knox is so sad that it's better to try to make a joke or two Crying or Very sad

Massimo

WimD. · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:37 pm Post subject: Re: Running Panthers

Hi,

No, the WTS Koblenz Panther and Jagdpanther have original Maybach engines. I saw them both driving in Trier, something I will never forget!!!
Look at youtube "panther Trier" or "jagdpanther Trier" and you will understand what I mean.

The Munster Panther has a diesel engine.

Regards.
Wim.

Rikard_Hufschmied wrote:

If my memory serves I seem to recall that the WTS Koblenz Panther G and Jagdpanther are both fitted with modern MTU diesels, in the pattern of the Münster Panther A, or am I way off?

The Wheatcroft Panthers will all have rebuilt original Maybach engines when competed. The list of possible Panther runners (without to much work) could be made quite long, albeit hypothetical. It's, as always, an issue of funding.