Maths was never my strong point!
The Saumur BergPanther indeed has SIX floor panels (two long, four short) The short ones are original and have oval forged lifting handles. The two long panels are post war modifications, and have trapezoidal lifting handles. Also when seen from below the timber of the long panels is a lighter colour than the short panels (see Trojca/Tankpower Panther vol 4 pp107-108.)
The wartime Bergepanther had EIGHT short panels. The original Technical Evaluation Report in the Bovington TM archive states, "The wooden superstructure is provided with eight removable steel framed wooden floor boards.."
Photographic support for this has proven hard to find. There was a high angle oblique view of the Chertsey BergePanther (TM photo 4606/C1) but it appears to have gone AWOL, and is no longer in the right box there, nor in there scanned library. However the photo has been published and by dint of counting the dark recesses of the lifting handles is can be seen that the panels are all short.
The other set of photos, which until recently had been overlooked, were taken by PFC B.A Newhouse, US Army Signal Corps, 3rd Army, at Morhet (6km SW of Bastogne) 27th Jan 1945. Six of these photos appear in "Repairing the Panzers" pp100-103. On page 103 the right hand photo (TM ref 11/A4) shows the two rear centre panels removed to reveal the capstan and cable drum. The edges of the two front panels are clearly visible as is the junction of the right hand front and rear panels beyond. QED there were eight panels on this vehicle too.
If the lifting handles were of the same pattern as the short panels and the timber matched, then there might be room to suggest the long panels on the Saumur example were a German modification for the Ausf G version. As it is the Saumur vehicle has been heavily restored over the years and the long panels very likely fabricated after its capture.
cheers, Fabrice
