Panther bunker dio idea

Modeling Subjects Dioramas
1

I had an idea of having a diorama of a portion of the Siegfried line in which they are using a Panther turret as the bunker. But I also wanted to make one side open below ground so that you could see all the “guts” of the bunker. Has anyone here attemped this or could reccomend things like materials, paints, blueprints, books, or construction techniques. All help greatly appreciated.

David

2

Hi David.

I’ve had exactly the same idea and have been planning to do this for ages.
The only thing holding me back has been the lack of reference material for the interior of the bunker. This is about the best I’ve found:

Hope that helps.

I too would be very interested in blueprints or any other reference material.

Cheers,

Jurgen.

3

Thanks Jurgen, I did find one book that you might be interested in. It it titled German Defences in Italy in World War II and is published by Osprey. It has some info on Panther bunkers in it.

David

4

great idea.i have read somewhere of tank turrets on bunker like structures at armor training schools in germany.i imagine these were used for a number of different training exercises.but there could be useful info. there.?know of any elefant photo’s showing vehicles in hull down,defilade positions.

5

Thanks detailfreak. I don’t think they put Elephants into defilade positions because they had so much frontal armor and were usually deployed with flank guards. But, use your imagination. I’m sure there was a Elephant in a defilade position during WW2. Here is a link that describes the interior of a Panther Bunker. Still, any info appreciated. Thanks.

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/content2.php/cid=215

David

6

A bunch of stuff here, plus some plans;

http://sudwall.superforum.fr/ATLANTIKWALL-SUD-OUEST-f19/Sperrlinie-Pyrenaenfront-f21/Tourelles-Panther-t718.htm

Fedorowicz Publishing’s Panther Variants in Color has a set of plans for a Pantherturm Stahlunterstand. MIG Productions also makes a couple of resin kits.

Remains of a real one;

7

Thank you so much Kykeon. That link is such a big help.

David

8

Some other stuff I found, 7 pages of Panther turret bunkers;

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=213&highlight=panther+turret

9

Hmm, wonder if the “thing” to do, would be to have them craning the turret into place over the emplacement. That way the “guts” would be open to see them, and you get to show off the detail on the turret basket of the Panther.

Now, resisting the urge to balance that turret on that tank transporter kit, and kitbashing together tha FAMO-based crane could be difficult . . .

10

That’s a good idea, or having the turret being blown off and upside down so you could realy see it. Good Idea though, opened up a whole new span of thinking.

David

11

If a crane was not available, the two-piece base was maneuvered into position through use of rail tracks placed down an inclined trench, which was back-filled afterwards. I have a couple of photos which show how this was done. What it doesn’t show is how the turret was installed without a crane.

12

Thanks for the idea, I read how they maneuverd the small panzerbunkers using wheels but the Panther turret needed heavier stuff. Seems like alot of work though. I still think that they used a crane somehow in the process. Alos, I was reading how late in the war they used wood? as a base for the turret and to build the bunker, does anyone else have comfirmation of this or photos. Thanks

David

13

In the Osprey book; German Defences in Italy in WWII on page 40, it states that a mobile crane was normally used, but it then states; “However, just as was the case with the tractors, as German’s situation deteriorated heavy lifting gear was increasingly difficult to find. Instead the workers had to manoeuvre the individual sections along ‘rail tracts’ to their final resting place. It was then necessary to dig an incline down which the boxes were lowered. Once in place the concrete could be poured and the soil back filled.”

Still, it does not mention how the turret was installed. It is possible that they used some sort of davit such as this;

Like the Pz 38(t) turret above, I am assuming the turret was mounted to a steel base plate, such that the traverse gears and bearing race were already installed, so that they would not be damaged during installation and the crew could manhandle it rather roughly without worrying about these rather delicate mechanisms. Nice color reference for Dunkelgelb there BTW.

Jentz and Doyle’s Panzer Tracts produce a book on Pantherturms, including the wooden based ones. Panzer Tracts No. 21-2 - Pantherturm I und II (Panther Turrets on Steel, Concrete and Wood Stands.

Here is a diagram of one;