Com-Central.net

Hello to all Forumsmember!
First may I introduce myself:
My name is Robert and I am coming from Vienna (Wien) in Austria (Österreich) as W. A. Mozart or the "Governator". Please be gentle with my English, I have not much experience in speaking English.
My question about the Stugs in Ft. Knox:
My friends and I are interested in the late Stug with red Balken Cross. We suspect that this is the latest produced Stug that survived the war.
1. Is it possible to get the "Fahrgestellnummer" ( prod. nr.) from it?
It is located either at the backwall from fighting compartment on a shield or engraved left from the driver in the sidewall. That would be very helpful to get the production date. We suspekt the Nr. between 108 000 and 108 600.
2. Does this Stug have a device which push back the track pins, when they are loose? I guess a kind of small steel plate close to idler wheel. If yes, would someone be so nice and send me a pic from the detail?

What we know from this Stug at the moment:
It was produced at Alkett ( only Alkett used the cast mantlet) and for sure after Dec. 1944 ( latest official modifikation at this time was the towing bar at the back) We guess, it was produced in march/ april 1945 because of camouflage.
If we find more informations we will share them with you.
Fahrgestell Nr. from other Stugs would be also interesting.

Thank you in advance for your help
Regards from Vienna
Robert

- robertkru

Hello to all Forumsmember!
First may I introduce myself:
My name is Robert and I am coming from Vienna (Wien) in Austria (Österreich) ...

Welcome !!

...My question about the Stugs in Ft. Knox:
My friends and I are interested in the late Stug with red Balken Cross. We suspect that this is the latest produced Stug that survived the war.

This is indeed some very interesting information.

1. Is it possible to get the "Fahrgestellnummer" ( prod. nr.) from it?
It is located either at the backwall from fighting compartment on a shield or engraved left from the driver in the sidewall. That would be very helpful to get the production date. We suspekt the Nr. between 108 000 and 108 600.

I don't have the SN but I will check it out, and see if I can get it for you.

2. Does this Stug have a device which push back the track pins, when they are loose? I guess a kind of small steel plate close to idler wheel. If yes, would someone be so nice and send me a pic from the detail?

Here are 3 photos that I took in 2002, when we last moved the StuG.







I'll see about getting some closer detailed photos. Any others that you may need, let me know.

What we know from this Stug at the moment:
It was produced at Alkett ( only Alkett used the cast mantlet) and for sure after Dec. 1944 ( latest official modifikation at this time was the towing bar at the back) We guess, it was produced in march/ april 1945 because of camouflage.
If we find more informations we will share them with you.
Fahrgestell Nr. from other Stugs would be also interesting.

Thank you in advance for your help
Regards from Vienna
Robert

Regards
Don

Robert,
Welcome (Servus),

I wonder if you might be able to help me being from Wien. The Austrian Army has an M60A3 O on display there. It is of particular interest to me because it looks like one of the original M60A1's that was later converted by Steyr to an A3. I would really appreciate knowing what the serial number is to this tank. It should be stamped on the left front tow shackle mount (Right side if facing the tank) and on the left side where the back deck bolts to the hull.

Again, welcome to the forum, I hope you continue to participate.

Joe _D

Hello Don
Thank you for offer off help and the pics. I saw them in the discussion about painting of the Stug but now I got an additional idea:
According to the official production the holders for spare wheel were on the engine deck on the armored cowl at the back. At this Stug they are on the storage frame. Are there any signs on the armored cowls ( remains from welding, bolts) that this holders were changed later by front troops?
According to the bolt secure device: this must be in line with the bolts from tracks and close to them. We found rumours that this modifikation was introduced in 1945 but until now we found no pic of such modifikation
Regards Robert

Hi Don
I try to help you with M60:
Did you see the tank in "Heeresgeschichtliche Museum" or at another place?
I have to do in museum in the next months (we are organising a modelling show there) and try to check.
I am more interested in WW2 but I know some clubmembers specialised in Austrian Army
Regards Rob

Rob,

I believe it is. There was a picture posted of it by Mark Holloway in August. I don't know how to link to it though. There is no rush for the number, just whenever the opportunity arises

When you have your show you can post some pictures of it here. I for one would like to see the displays.

Thanks,
Joe D

Let's see if I can help out

The thread is Titled German M60A3? and was last touched on September 1. (It is about 3 pages back in the index right now)

I found it by using the search function at the top of the page and using Austrian M60 and choosing the 'Search for all terms' button on the search page

Also don't forget about teh M60 Spotters Guide in teh sticky section at the top of the index. Shows you where to find serial numbers, how to tell the difference between M60 subtypes, etc