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This is a later-production Pz.Kpfw.Panther Ausf.A: the radio operator has a ball mount for his machine gun instead of the earlier "letter flap" arrangement. The outline of the driver's direct vision port is visible, as are his two fixed periscopes pointing ahead and off to the left. Between the driver's and radio operator's positions is a ventilator housing. The port for the coaxial machine gun is to the right of the main gun, and the opening for the gunner's monocular T.Z.F.12a sight is visible under the barrel of the Kw.K.42. The commander's cupola has the ring for mounting an AAMG welded around it, and the apertures for his viewing periscopes ring the cupola. The downward notch in the hull side pannier can just be seen near the rear of the vehicle.
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The notch in the hull side is more easily viewed in this picture. Stowage brackets for the track adjusting tools and a sledgehammer are visible on the hull front side, and spare track blocks were stowed on the hull rear.
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This tank is not fitted with the crew heater that necessitated two extra exhaust cooling pipes on either side of the left exhaust pipe. Stowage boxes for the crew's personal items were usually mounted on the corners of the rear plate, and these were unfortunately not very watertight. Between the exhaust pipes is a mount for a 20-ton jack. The large hatch between the exhaust pipes' armored guards was for engine access, and just below the right exhaust pipe's armroed guard is a guide for the hand starter crank. The access hatches on either side of the large engine acess hatch were used to adjust the idler wheels. The large escape hatch in the turret is also visible.
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Details of the Panther's complex suspension are visible here. The interleaved design has the outer wheels enveloping the inner wheels, and the swing arms go from the wheels to the double torsion bar suspension inside the hull. The track guides run outside the inner wheels and inside the outer wheels. This tank is equipped with the reinforced, 24-rim bolt road wheels. The Panther's tires were not vulcanized to the wheels, and all that was necessary to remove the tires was a sledgehammer. The damaged wheels in the center of the picture are missing their tires. The single return roller can just be seen above the front-most road wheels.
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The details of the Ausf.G's new hull are revealed by this vehicle. The side panniers now have a constant downward slope, and the driver's vision port has been eliminated. The driver and radio operator have single rotating periscopes in place of their earlier twin fixed periscopes. This tank also has the gun mantlet chin that was supposed to prevent rounds from ricocheting into the hull roof.
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The side hull of Panther Ausf.G sloped smoothly instead of having a notch like earlier models. This tank also has the crew compartment heater; the tower over the left engine fan is visible on the rear deck. The exhaust pipes on this machine do not appear to be standard, and the outer road wheels have been removed.
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This tank is also equipped with the crew compartment heater. Compared with the rear view of the Ausfuehrung A above, the less severe slope of the side armor is obvious. The engine access hatch on this vehicle features a tow coupling attached to it.
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With the tracks and outer road wheels removed, more details of the suspension system are visible. External bumper stops were provided for the first two and seventh swing arms on each side, and the return roller is visible to the right of the picture.
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© Copyright 2002-03 Chris Conners
