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Hi,

I found this link about one of the Panthers from Saumur:

www.colleurs-de-plasti...hp?t=29827

Pierre-Olivier, I really would appreciate when you would give us some translation and information about this Panther.

Regards,
Wim.

translation :

Hello to everybody

I'm back from a 1-week voluntary work on the Saumur "ex-Invalides" Panther G.

That's what has been done :

- removal of the turret

- replacement of a suspension bar (arm?)

- dismounting of the right running gear

- cleaning and rust removal of the interior

that was a really nice week but there has still some work to be done !!

some pictures :

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/1606/dscn3108.jpg
this suspension bar is broken, it took one complete day to remove it with the appropriate tools


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5753/pict0044j.jpg
the new arm comes from the reserves and is put in place. The torsion bar is already functionnal, that's why it is in contact with the ground.


http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9857/dscn3099.jpg
for the removal of the first roadwheel, we had to remove the sprocket (some more work for the Panther crew who had to do it on the Battlefield..)


http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7503/dsc0162bcn.jpg
my friend David and behind him, the driving train completely dismounted


http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3127/dsc0155g.jpg
under the turret roof, we discover many things to dismount and plenty of rust which has to be removed


http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/9895/pict0053.jpg
the turret is lifted. A hard work which is now rewarded to the voluntary workers.

By the way, when I visited the Saumur museum reserves, 2 weeks ago, I saw the second Panzer IV which used to be painted in Afrika Korps colours.

[img]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CbwnjooteyI/R5SPKq1UghI/AAAAAAAAF5I/8--G-879ilo/s400/PzKpfw%2BIV%2BAusf%2BJ%2BSaumur%2BTank%2BMuseum%2BFrance.JPG[/img]
(old photo)

It is now completely dismounted, that is to say there is no gun on the turret and no turret on the hull, no wheels on the suspensions.. everything is dismounted. There is also no more paint. Newly-made turret basket and fittings will be added and it will be completely painted again.
Seems like German armour is taken care of..

P-O

Is this the same one (featured in a thread here long ago) that was previously being displayed in an "as found" condition, with supports under one side and completely unretored, or am I thinking of somewhere else?

no, you think about this one, which is displayed at Sinsheim :

http://www.panther1944.de/Bilder/letzten_ihrer_art/sinsheim_a_tscherkassy.jpg

and we talk about this one, from Saumur :

http://www.panther1944.de/Bilder/letzten_ihrer_art/Samur_3.jpg

P-O

(from another thread) :

In one week, we removed the Panther's gearbox and the engine :

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5224/dsc0920fw6.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1469/dsc0824xu6.jpg

- the_shadock

no, you think about this one, which is displayed at Sinsheim :



and we talk about this one, from Saumur :



P-O

Thanks, P-O, can't see the pics, but I'll take your word for it. Sounds correct.

If I could see those pics again, that would be great. Liked what they did there as I recall.

well, have a look here, you'll see the pictures I tried to publish here :

http://www.panther1944.de/Panther/die_letzten_en.htm

You have to look for the 1st Panther Ausf. A at Sinsheim and the Panther Ausf. G at Saumur.

P-O

Good to see the Saumur G get some attention, at long last. It's the only G they have and they've left it rotting for too long.

The engine and gearbox have been removed, they will be stored and will either give spare parts or the museum will try to put them again in functional condition. The engine and gearbox are maybe a lil bit rust outside but still brand new inside, thanks to the gasoline and oil which protected the parts.
So the Panther will be restored and put on display outside without the engine and gearbox.

P-O

Pierre-Olivier,

Thank you for translation and information.

Regards,
Wim.

P-O, I hope it will keep its Free French colors!?

Neil

Neil,

well, I really don't know which paint/markings it will get. I'll ask to a guy who works with the restoration team.

P-O

Neil,

the Free French markings were painted after the war (it was painted for the display at the Invalides, Paris) and it has no real historic value..
Apparently, the Panther will be repainted in Dunkelgelb, with any other marking, no German cross or turret number. Only Dunkelgelb.

Some people fromthe museum criticize the German crosses painted on German tanks, because these are Nazi markings and some people don't like that in France.. (f...ing reactionists..)

This tank currently carries the following coats of paint : antirust red, then dunkelgelb and another coat of dunkelgelb. It was never repainted with French army colours (means it was not in use in the French 501-503rd Tank Regiment).
No original turret number or German cross were found under the different coats of paint..

P-O

The German markings would have been removed when the zimmerit was stripped away.