no picture for flak38/bergepanther D
just my little fake
According to the caption on p.167 of Karl-Heinz Münch's big "653" Album, they apparently got 2 turretless D model Panthers as recovery vehicles during the mid 1943 Kursk battles (they were for pushing and pulling only, not having a winch or spade like the regular Bergepanther).
They later appear in Spring 1944 (I'm assuming the same two) - one with a Panzer IV turret, the other with a quad 20mm Flak mounted above its turret ring.
On p.381 theres another shot of the second Panther D and the caption states that "The maintenance company mounted a 20mm quadruple anti-aircraft gun on this vehicle in June 1944."
In the text on the same page the mix of these oddball vehicles (ie. these 2 Panthers, 1 VK.45.01, 1 T-34 with a quad 20mm, and 2 turretless T-34 ammo carriers), are mentioned as being the work of 653's master armourer - Stabsfeldwebel Anton Brunnthaler around May/June 1944 with permission from the CO; Major Gillenberger.
Sadly there s no shot of it in this format
by Mairo on 15 Apr 2004 10:43 
