Here’s the latest on the restoration of the Panther recovered from a river in Poland. This has a video showing the starting of the engine for the first time in over sixty years. Looks like it just rolled off the production line.
Beyond cool! That zimmcoat can’t be original, can it?
Is that the one that is being restored on the Military Channel’s “Tank Overhaul”?
They sure left that one guy hangin’ for his high 5[:D]
Wayyyy cooooolllllll… Wasnt the tank in tank overhaul based in the uK? That Panther is Jaques Littlefields i think. Hes the baldy millionaire guy. I may be wrong, probably am.
…Guy
If I remember correctly, there were two Panther restoration projects in that Tank Overhaul episode. One in the Jaques Littlefield collection (which I’ve been able to see and touch in person muwahahahahaaaaa [oX)]) and another being restored at a location on the Isle of Wight (U.K.).
I saw a picture of the tank shortly after it was pulled out of the river, and there didn’t seem to be any trace of zim, just rusty metal. I’m totally amazed at what the restorers have accomplished with this formally rusted hulk. Can’t wait to see the finished results! That in itself will be a sight worth a trip across the pond.
The restoration team had to build an entirly new turret for this vehicle, as the orignal was shattered by an explosion set by the crew in an attempt to toally destroy the tank.
IIRC, the Tank Overhaul Panther was dragged from a polish river and the turret had been shattered beyond repair by the crew destroying their crippled ride.
Tank Overhaul featured restoration teams in both the US and UK. Wish there was a second series, it was a great show.
Nope. When the restoration began, the Littlefield crew had the original zimm analyzed to determine it’s make up. They then came up with their own formula which is much more durable and will last a very long time.
The other one belongs to Kevin Wheatcroft in the U.K. The vehicles being done on the Isle of Wight belonged to a different collector and consisted of a Sherman and I believe an A34 Comet.
The Panther episode on Tank Overhaul covered both the Littlefield and Wheatcroft Panther restorations.