Panther
The Panther at the War Museum is not listed on Farley Mowatt’s long list. The tank has not been re-engined and currently has the engine (original) out and apart. A beautiful big Maybach it is past the stage of rebuild without new sleeves, pistons crank etc. etc. so unless a replacement turns up it will never likely run as they are doing it as original as possible. This includes matching original interior paint colours (90% not white to my surprise). The turret basket and interior are out and are being restored but the turret itself is sitting on the tank. Believe it or not in order to preserve any original zimmerit or markings the entire tank was stripped with chemicals A very big job.
There was comment some time ago that the rear road wheels had been damaged when the tank was delivered and "dropped" off the trailer. NOT TRUE. The Museum hired a 75 ton mobile crane and had it very gently removed from the flatbed. At an expense of close to $2000.
Damage to the rear two road wheels is to the hubs only which have major cracks and must be remade ( or we can get two from the other Ontario Panther). When you see the damage it looks like the vehicle had been moved at a previous location, or set in location by using a chain and hook on the road wheel to turn the tank. Likely to avoid hooking it on to the back track and possibly pulling off the track.
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