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I have just finished watching a show called Tank Overhaul on History Television here in Canada. It dealt with the rebuilding of a Panther by Jacques Littlefield.

One of the things that has always bothered me was the difference between the theoretical performance of the Panther vs it actual performance in the field as shown in unit histories, especially from Canadian sources. The Canadians fought and defeated large numbers of Panthers during the Normandy campaign. I have being left with the impression that of all of the German tanks that the Canadians encountered in Normandy, the Panther had the worst record.

In this show they revealed another major flaw in the Panther’s design. The Panther is reported to have a high maximum speed and excellent manoeuvrability. However, the final drive for the tank was designed for a tank weight of between 32 and 35 tonnes. The final weight of the Panther was 45 tonnes. The straight tooth gears in the final drive were too weak for the weight of the tank. Because of this Panther drivers were restricted in the speed and manoeuvres that they could perform, otherwise there was the real possibly that they would strip the gears of the final drive and turn the Panther into a 45 tonne paper weight. Repairs to the final drive required major surgery on the tank.

So next time someone boosts about the Panthers performance in terms of high speed and manoeuvrability, just answer with two words “stripped gears�.

www.history.ca/ontv/ti...leid=97512

- J.McGillivray

....In this show they revealed another major flaw in the Panther’s design. The Panther is reported to have a high maximum speed and excellent manoeuvrability. However, the final drive for the tank was designed for a tank weight of between 32 and 35 tonnes. The final weight of the Panther was 45 tonnes. The straight tooth gears in the final drive were too weak for the weight of the tank. ....

So next time someone boosts about the Panthers performance in terms of high speed and manoeuvrability, just answer with two words “stripped gears�.

www.history.ca/ontv/ti...leid=97512

I had heard about this show, but was saddened that it isn't being aired in the US.

Interesting that you mentioned the Panther / drive train problems...

Recently while going thru storage crates of parts, I happened to see a number of Sprockets that were broken in half. They were in 'bins' marked from the Panther tank.

An interesting story was related that when the Panther II was restored (back in the 70's ? ) the sprockets were swapped as they were broken. Panther G sprockets were swapped with the unserviceable parts.

I have seen a number of photos of the Panther II operating at Museum events back in the 70's/early 80's. I have always wanted to utilize it in one of our 'living history' programs, but understand why 'she' is perminently on display within the museum.

Perhaps someday, The Panther ausf G can be restored and greatly increase 'our' operational / Demonstration 'Fleet'.

As for now, hopes are to get the 251/9 & Panzer III Operational once again. Moderate success are being made with these vehicles.

Don

I took these today. Thought they might add some interesting detail to this decussion.

The Panther II Sprocket (side veiw):


The Panther II Sprocket (frontal View)


The Tiger II Sprocket (for comparison)


Hope this helps...
Don

- Dontos

Perhaps someday, The Panther ausf G can be restored and greatly increase 'our' operational / Demonstration 'Fleet'.

Don

Don,

In what shape is the G, engine, transmission an so on. Are there any tracks for it? It looks quite stripped from the outside.

Rik

Another thing to say when someone boasts of Panther performance is "Backfires!" Not only could gunning the engine strip the gears it could also flood the engine, dump raw fuel into the exhaust system ... and BANG!

Those final production Panther exhaust cans that look like little mufflers, they were actually little 'bunson burners' meant to burn the raw fuel vapors before they could build-up to explosive proportions.

Of course the equivalent Pershing had its own mechanical headaches, like more vital components running offf belts than it ought.