Panther G transmission cover mystery

[DanPrudhomme]

Hi All,
My Panther G (#11) just arrived in San Francisco Bay Area, and I'm quickly falling into the rabbit hole of researching the tank.
To my surprise, I cannot find any pictures (save one) or descriptions on how the transmission cover is secured. The one picture available is from an earlier D version on Display in Breda. The picture clearly shows the hatch is secured with raised hex bolts. Has anyone confirmed if the G version is the same?

Many Thanks,
Dan

[SeanO'Hara]

Hi, looking at my Haynes Panther Tank Manual by Haynes of a late Panther G the hatches looked very different to your photograph. Main thing is that the D hatches are set at an angle while the G hatches are horizontal to the glacis plate, presumably because they'd moved to a push up and over hatch from a lift and swivel. Hope that helps.

[DanPrudhomme]

Hi Sean,
Thank you kindly for the reply. I'm focused mainly on the type of hardware used to screw down the larger transmission access plate that contains those hatches you describe. The kit uses flat head allen type hardware and I'm just curious if the real thing used similar hardware or something more like what is seen (hex bolts) in the photo for the Type D version. I've flipped through a half dozen books and searched online, but there are not many photos of the top front deck.

Best
Dan

[Kent Wiik]

Hi Dan,

They used bolts with a coned top pressed down in the hole from below with castle nut and spacer.
This type of fastening was a common use on Panzers on a number of places.
The drawing below gives a hint how they looked like.

The hex ones seen on the Beda Panther is a post war addition.

Hope this was of any use for you
Kind regards
Kent

[Kent Wiik]

You can see them here in this pic.

/Kent

[DanPrudhomme]

Thank you so much Ken!
This is great information.

Best
Dan