Renault FT17 allegedly with RPzB.54 8.8cm

[Tadportly1]

This photo appeared on another forum. Allegedly a German Renault FT17 with RPzB.54 8.8cm Raketenbüchse 43 Püppchen anti-tank rocket launcher fitted. [img]Https:/i.redd.it/ip8ngehq1zg81.jpg[/img]

[Grzesio]

The actual designation of the Pueppchen was 8,8 cm R-Werfer 43.
8,8 cm RPzB 43 was an initial designation of the Panzerschreck, used very briefly around September 1943, changed to 8,8 cm RPzB 54 already before the end of the month.

Well, it could be a Pueppchen in this picture, it could be a flamethrower... What raises my doubts is, that the rear part of Pueppchen's cradle was pretty long (some 60% of the forward part of the barrel) - its trunnions are invisible in the photo, so they had to be located inside the turret in this case, what would leave very little (if any) space for the layer/loader.

[Manuferey]

Or it could be simply a fake gun.

Emmanuel

[arminfreitag]

Hi
for me it does not look like a Püppchen if you compare the barrel.
I'm also not sure that there is enough space to put in a flamethrower with the related equipment.
It looks more like a dummy gun.

Regards
Armin

[Grzesio]

Just have in mind, the cone at the muzzle of the Pueppchen barrel is just a sheet metal gas deflector, held by two screws, and it could be easily removed.

[jpz4]

Or it could be simply a fake gun.

Emmanuel

There are indeed photo of FTs being used with a 'large' fake gun to represent something heavier during training

[arminfreitag]

Hi all
here pictures of two similar vehicles.
You can decide for yourself what they are.

Best regards
Armin

[peeved]

More of the same from exp. eBay.de. Auction numbers in pic names.

Markus

[arminfreitag]

Thank vou Markus for the additional pictures.

Regards
Armin