Brokeneagle
Master at Arms
PANTHER G LATE PRODUCTION 121 1./SS PR 1, LSAH
Another unusual tank with some interesting aspects.
- Last Station steel wheeler from M.A.N.
- No turret cammo loops installed - still trying to determine this, jury out still.
- cupola AA ring fitted(left off final production variants from M.A.N.)
- raised fan on the rear deck
- Full chin mantlet.
- late model exhaust dampeners
- This also does not have the typical hard edge 2 color cammo scheme that is associated with the final M.A.N. variants with LSSW.
Unusual because, as far as I have been able to tell from internet research, this was the first vehicle to display the steel wheel only on the last station of the suspension.
"Panzertracts 5-3 states that steel tired roadwheels were fitted in March and April 1945"
However, it shows details typical of the late production G from M.A.N.(Dec/Jan 45).
Most of the other examples that have shown up in photos have typical Final production series features from M.A.N.(March - April 45 - some differences visible are highlighted in black above)but there are a small number like this though it is hard to see all the features.
One of the features of the final series is the fitting of turret loops for cammo attachment on the sides of the turret - this is a special example as it has this feature in conjunction with a Dec/Jan production series as well as a LSSW and AA cupola ring fitted.
Location is Hungary March (around the 23rd) 1945.
A final detail is the fact that this vehicle has a standard starboard side stowage bin, no I.R. box - apparent in another photo of this vehicle that I do not have but is quoted by sources on ML.
THE BATTLE
Panther 121 was destroyed in the last winter on the Eastern Front as part of the final German offensive of the war. Operation Konrad was Hitler's last gasp in the east to stop the Russians in Hungary. The battle was fought out between Budapest and Lake Balaton to the south and was quite open country for tank warfare.
The troops in the east did not get resupplied with winter whitewash in the final year and had to make make do unless they had access to previous supplies.
This shot shows vehicles in Dark Yellow during this period in the area in question.
A good fight was put up initially, as this vehicle was probably knocked out on one of the roads southeast of Lake Balaton in early March when the Soviet attack swung south and then west, pushing the Germans back toward the Lake.
Brokeneagle
Another unusual tank with some interesting aspects.
- Last Station steel wheeler from M.A.N.
- No turret cammo loops installed - still trying to determine this, jury out still.
- cupola AA ring fitted(left off final production variants from M.A.N.)
- raised fan on the rear deck
- Full chin mantlet.
- late model exhaust dampeners
- This also does not have the typical hard edge 2 color cammo scheme that is associated with the final M.A.N. variants with LSSW.
Unusual because, as far as I have been able to tell from internet research, this was the first vehicle to display the steel wheel only on the last station of the suspension.
"Panzertracts 5-3 states that steel tired roadwheels were fitted in March and April 1945"
However, it shows details typical of the late production G from M.A.N.(Dec/Jan 45).
Most of the other examples that have shown up in photos have typical Final production series features from M.A.N.(March - April 45 - some differences visible are highlighted in black above)but there are a small number like this though it is hard to see all the features.
One of the features of the final series is the fitting of turret loops for cammo attachment on the sides of the turret - this is a special example as it has this feature in conjunction with a Dec/Jan production series as well as a LSSW and AA cupola ring fitted.
Location is Hungary March (around the 23rd) 1945.
A final detail is the fact that this vehicle has a standard starboard side stowage bin, no I.R. box - apparent in another photo of this vehicle that I do not have but is quoted by sources on ML.
THE BATTLE
Panther 121 was destroyed in the last winter on the Eastern Front as part of the final German offensive of the war. Operation Konrad was Hitler's last gasp in the east to stop the Russians in Hungary. The battle was fought out between Budapest and Lake Balaton to the south and was quite open country for tank warfare.
The troops in the east did not get resupplied with winter whitewash in the final year and had to make make do unless they had access to previous supplies.
This shot shows vehicles in Dark Yellow during this period in the area in question.
A good fight was put up initially, as this vehicle was probably knocked out on one of the roads southeast of Lake Balaton in early March when the Soviet attack swung south and then west, pushing the Germans back toward the Lake.
Brokeneagle
...Ian , how it will be displayed?...destroyed as the Tiger?
