Dragon Cyberhobby Panther D with "Stadtgas" fuel tanks

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I just ordered this limited run kit from Dragon on line. I have no idea what these “stadtgas” tanks were , none of my Panther references explain them…Does anybody know what the heck this version of the D was used for or the background/purpose of the external tanks?

thanks in advance,

Steve

2

Steve

I have done a little research and while I wasnt able to find anything about a Panther D with Stadtgas I was able to find an english translation of Stadtgas. It means “town gas”. Judging by this and the shape of the tanks on the Panther in the photo, it would appear to be a natural gas powered Panther. This would make a very interesting build, I might have to invest in one.

3

Due to the chronic fuel shortages suffered by the Germans at the the end of the war, various alternative fuels were tested for use in driver’s training and vehicle testing. Propane, methane, natural gas, wood gas, acetylene and others were all tested as alternative fuel sources. Here is a drawing of a Panther D using the “stadtgas” arrangement;

Here is a Marder III using LPG as fuel;

And a Panzer VI using bottled gas;

These tests were not very successful, as the engines generally ran very poorly with a substantial loss of horsepower.

4

Thanks KyKeon, I appreciate the info. This was apparently overlooked by the OSprey folks?

Steve

5

One of the guys at the LHS was telling me how some of the truck near the end of the war ran on creosote. Kind of ironic that the Luftwaffe was flying some of the most advanced military aircraft in the world, but supplying the fuel from a truck that ran on wood.

6

I went ahead and ordered one as well, I don’t jump on every CH release but this one is odd-ball enough to attract my interest. [:D]

7

How obscure. You have to hand it to Dragon to release something like this. I’d like to learn more. Seems like a fireball waiting to happen.

8

This wasn’t something that was intended to be used in combat. Obviously large cylinders of compressed flammable gas would be a juicy target for any rifleman with better than 20/100 vision. [:P] This was merely an effort to alleviate the crippling effects that Allied bombing had on the already limited German fuel supply, so that tasks such as tank driver’s training, war games, vehicle testing and homeland supply deliveries could use alternative fuels, freeing up precious gasoline supplies for front-line use.

Here is a Kubelwagen modified to run on Holzgas;

Sawdust or small wood chips were loaded into what amounted to a large pressure cooker. A small wood-fired hotbox mounted underneath heated the wood chips to combustion temperatures, but in the absence of oxygen, this created Holzgas, (wood gas) a crude, natural-gas like product, which was then burned in the engine. This did not work well, as the engines burped and f#rted along rather comically on this low-octane fuel, much to the amusement of everyone but the driver…

Here is a 251-D, also modified to run on Holzgas;

9

Never could understand why Russian tanks carried extra fuel drums on the side of their tanks. Insane.

10

I’ve heard of different accounts that one was pressed into ad hoc service for combat very late in the war but not sure if that’s really true or one of those apcryphal stories that tend to surface every now and then.

The fact that it’s being released under the CH label underscores their “boutique” nature and definitely presents some options/choices that wouldn’t ordinarily be available. I think it just adds to the diversity without having to resort to expensive alternatives but it is somewhat tied/handicapped by being linked to whatever DML happens to be producing as their next “new” kit for synergistic purposes. I wonder if CH will exclusively stay with German subjects or if, like with the impending Sherman releases, they will also take up some of those types of “rarified” types as well.

11

Hey Bill,

I agree some allied “oddballs” would be a refreshing and popular release for CH. I still haven’t cracked the seal on the DAK Tiger, but, I was just thinking of a diorama idea for the Panther, maybe a thrown track and an instructor chewing out a newbie driver or something. Anyhoo, I oredered the kit and we will see what we get.

steve