|
About the German Panther Type G Steel Wheel
Version
Because of its many advanced
and innovative features, the World War II German Panzerkampfwagen V, known as
the "Panther" tank, is still considered by many ordnance experts as a weaponry
masterpiece. The development of the Panther came about due to the successes
generated by the Russian T-34, which has become a serious threat to the German
forces during the mid part of the conflict. Mass production of the Panther began
during the spring of 1943, and with its sophisticated mechanics and powerful
Type 42 L70, 70mm main gun, the Panther tank demonstrated its formidable
strength during front line action shortly after its introduction. Several
improvements were suggested following its initial employment, resulting in the
Panther Type G, which began to appear in spring 1944. Major improvements
consisted of additional side armor slope angles and simplified assembly
refinements for mass production. The powerplant of the Type G Panther was a
Maybach HL230-P30, V-12 cylinder, watercooled engine producing 700 horsepower.
In order to further enhance productivity and compensate for the lack of raw
materials, a handful of trial production Panthers were mounted with steelwheels
for testing pruposes. These were steel rimmed wheels replacing the conventional
rubber rims, and were insulated from the hubs by two rubber rings clamped
between disc-shaped pressings. The steel-wheeled Panther Type G's were very
rarely seen during combat.
 |
 |
TS-1 -
Red Brown |
 |
|
TS-2 -
Dark Green |
 |
|
TS-3 -
Dark Yellow |
 |
|
X-10 -
Gun Metal |
 |
|
X-11 -
Chrome Silver |
|
 |
|
X-18 -
Semi Gloss Black |
 |
|
XF-1 -
Flat Black |
 |
|
XF-15
- Flat Flesh |
 |
|
XF-2 -
Flat White |
 |
|
XF-56
- Metallic Grey |
|
 |
|
XF-60
- Dark Yellow |
 |
|
XF-61
- Dark Green |
 |
|
XF-64
- Red Brown |
 |
|
XF-65
- Field Grey |
|
 |
