27 November 2012

Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer at Aberdeen Ordinance Museum


Image size: 1600 x 1055 pixel. 514 KB
Date: Thursday, 1 January 1948
Place: Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, USA
Photographer: Armin Sohns

A Panzerjäger (tank destroyer) V Jagdpanther Sd.Kfz.173 at United States Army Ordinance Museum in Aberdeen, Maryland after World War II. This Jagdpanther, hull number 303018, was a late model manufactured by Maschinenfabrik-Niedersachsen-Hannover (MNH) in late November or early December 1944. The Jagdpanther is considered to be the best tank destroyer of World War II, with an 88mm (3.46 inch) Pak 43/3 L/71 gun (the same as on the Tiger II). The combination of firepower, low silhouette, slope armor, and the 100mm (almost 4 inches) of armor on the gun mantlet made for an effective armored fighting vehicle. Thankfully for the Allies, the Jagdpanther production at MNH and other factories was interrupted by bombing; only 400 units were completed by the end of the war. 303018 was issued to a schwere Heeres-Panzerjäger-Abteilung (army heavy tank destroyer unit) for the Ardennes Offensive in December 1944 and captured by American troops. In 1946 the vehicle was sent to Aberdeen, where despite several coats of paint, it has rusted in place ever since. This photo shows the Jagdpanther with its original color scheme. 

Source:
Charles Kliment photo collection 
http://www.worldwar2database.com/gallery3/index.php/wwii0067

2 comments:

  1. Good morning,

    I find you on the net.
    I losted the plan and the box of the Jagdpanther 1/35 scale of Tamiya witch i build several years ago.
    So i'm searching wich kind of paintings i have to use because the number of the decal i gluded on the thank is 312. (Red and white colours of the numbers)
    Is it an desert regiment or another one?
    Could you help me?
    My email adress is ad182560@scarlet.be.
    Thank you very much in advance and a very happy new year too!
    Best regards,
    Amaury
    (Belgium - Brussels)

    ReplyDelete