More Pics -- Panzer IV at US Army Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen, Maryland

addunbar · July 7, 2004, 3:31pm

Here are more Panzer IV pictures from my April 2004 visit to the US Army Ordnance Museum in Aberdeen, Maryland.

This first series of photos shows what I believe is an early Pzkpfw IV G. Notice the ball shaped muzzle brake; the absence of the vision port on the turret front – right side; absence of left and right turret vision ports; turret double doors. This could also be a late F2.

This is my second Panzer IV picture posting. The first was of the DAK Panzer IV at the US Army Ordnance Museum.

The pictures are stored on photobucket.com. The links are as follows:

Alex

addunbar · July 7, 2004, 3:38pm

This second series is also from the US Army Ordnance Museum. When I took these pictures in April, I believed this to be a Panzer IV. However, there are several aspects of this panzer which make me believe that it is not a true Panzer IV but a close approximation that may have been cobbled together after the war. Take a look and see what you think.

Fortunately, this panzer has many of the features that we all look for in detailing our Panzer IV models. Just try to ignore the ones that don’t belong – I have tried to point them out before each picture link.

The following website, however, declares this tank is a Pzkpfw IV ausf G: http://www.davidpride.com/Army/Army_index.htm.

Alex

Anonymous · July 7, 2004, 6:15pm

Once again, thank you. These will help a LOT! Just in case you were interested, that second tank is a modified Pz IV to test a hydrostatic drive. I am not really sure what that means, but it has something to do with the engine powering two oil pumps, which in turn powered two oil engines. I guess I’m not sure how that would work[D)]

anyway, thanks again!!

Anonymous · July 7, 2004, 11:43pm

First is a Panzer IV Ausf G - the lack of second vision port in the turret front and the side vision ports as well as the lack of signal ports in the driver and Radio operator’s hull hatches are the clues. The muzzle brake is an F2 single baffle one, and should not be on that vehicle as the true G never had them. I am led to believe that this vehicle was mainly complete, but some parts were obtained from various wrecks to make it ‘whole’.

Thanks again for sharing Alex.

Anonymous · July 8, 2004, 4:11am

Peter,

I think that first tank may actually be a very late Pz IV F2! I don’t see any indication of the Bosch lights. Aside from the gun, there was little difference between the late F2 and early G. Well, it was a thought…

Anonymous · July 8, 2004, 4:48am

The second tank is a MkIV that was modified with a hydrostatic transmission (it was a rear drive) It was an experimental vehical that was built for testing… I bet it was caputerd at the end of the war

Herr Gray

Build22 · July 8, 2004, 6:56am

addunbar,

Great pics !

Not onlt are thet good reference for a PZ IV but they are excellent for wethering and chipped paint as well.

Thanks for sharing

addunbar · July 8, 2004, 7:53am

Where did you find info on the hydrostatic transmission experiment? The only reference I have found on the net is at LemaireSoft (http://users.swing.be/tanks.tanks/complet/850.html). It says that only one was built and was tested unsuccessfully on the Eastern Front in 1943. Could this be that single test unit?

Alex

gringe88 · July 8, 2004, 7:17pm

thanks sooo much addunbar! really helpful pics, even if the vehicles are kinda mutts. lotta useful info here thx again!

Matt[swg]

Cobrahistorian · July 8, 2004, 8:09pm

Hey, if anyone wants, I’ve got a few shots of the Panther and Pz III waiting restoration at the Patton Museum at Ft. Knox, KY. I’m sorry that my interior pics didn’t come out well (I was using a disposable camera), otherwise I’d have had some great shots of the King Tiger among other things. Bummer. Drop me an email and I’ll send you the shots I do have.

Anonymous · July 8, 2004, 8:20pm

Cobrahistorian, that would be great. I aways love to see pics of the old relics that we base our models on.

Anonymous · July 8, 2004, 8:57pm

Cobrahistorian, I just sent you an email. Thanks in advance!

addunbar, I got my information about the hydrostatic drive Pz IV from Pz IV and Its Variants, by Walter J. Speilberger. Only one was built and the US brought it over at the end of the war to test it because they were working on a similar design.

Buddho · July 8, 2004, 9:35pm

Great pics…I’m gonna have to make a trip up there soon!

Regards, Dan

addunbar · July 8, 2004, 9:58pm

edog,

Thanks for that source. I will have to check it out.

Alex