Turret Roof Thingie?

[Dave Boller]

I, for the life of me, can't figure out what this object is on the Panther-G, turret roof. Perhaps some Panther-people here can help me. It only seems to be on the Panther-G version, and even the Armortek model has it, but the instructions don't really state what the part is. It's rectangular and looks a lot like the loader's periscope on the turret roof side. But, it's located almost directly on the turret roof center, and facing sideways. It can't be another periscope, because the gun-breach is directly underneath it in the turret interior. Besides, what would be the use of a 90 degree view of only one side of the tank? Also, I've looked at interior ceiling photos, which show nothing in that spot from the inside, so it couldn't even be a vent of some sort. Any ideas? Anyone?

[John Fitzsimons]

Nice photo of it in Achtung Panzer No 4
It just says function of the plate next to the ventilator is unknown. description in drawings in japanese.
Looks like only on late Gs. Could it be something to do with the IR equipment?

[colin fairweather]

ok after a bit searching I found it link below

http://www.panther1944.de/en/sdkfz-171- ... mpass.html

colin

[Dave Boller]

Bingo! Nice detective work guys, thanks. Mounting a magnetic compass dead center on the roof of 46 tons of steel (although looks strange) makes sense. By the way Colin, love your girl friend, that's my favorite pose.

[colin fairweather]

yes you will always get the info that's what's good about this forum

she is peachy lol


colin

[Tim Page]

Thanks guys for providing the answer.
This istem has now been removed from my Panther and the hole has been filled.
Strange that Achtung Panzer no.4 calls it a 'Mysterious Plate' in the diagram on page 44.

Cheers

Tim