Original German vehicles in Movies

Discussions on WW2 and pre-WW2 related movies, games, military art and other fiction.
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Brian Ross
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#166

Post by Brian Ross » 11 Jan 2007, 09:20

Good fakes. IIRC they were built on M24 Chaffee chassis.
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Dubliner
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#167

Post by Dubliner » 27 Jan 2007, 07:58

The "Enemy at the Gates" Panzer IIIs are really dressed up post-war Swiss Panzer 68s.
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Brian Ross
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#168

Post by Brian Ross » 27 Jan 2007, 10:48

Are you sure? The wheel spacing looks wrong and the hull too small. Do you have a reference?
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Sitzkrieg
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#169

Post by Sitzkrieg » 27 Jan 2007, 20:44

Do you guys have photos of those? If yes post them for examination. I have not seen the suspension, but a prime candidate for them and more available would be the FV432 like the "StuGs" in "Band Of Brothers" and the "Type 97s" in "The Great Raid".
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Dubliner
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#170

Post by Dubliner » 28 Jan 2007, 06:48

The original official website for "Enemy at the Gates" referenced these vehicles out as surplus Swiss Pz.68s. However, on second review, the "Enemy at the Gates" Pz IIIs look like earlier model Pz 61s. The Swiss "Pz. III" used in"Enemy at the Gates" were also used in"All the Queen's Men" and "The Pianist."

The road wheels are the same type and number as those on the Swiss Pz 61, and idler and drive sprocket match those on the Swiss vehicle. The FV432 only has 5 road wheels. Plus Film Services was the first company (and only film services company) to cut and extend FV432 hulls and adding a sixth road wheel so they could build the StuGs used in "Band of Brothers", "Charlotte Grey", and several other small film projects. The hulls of the "The Great Raid" tanks were heavily modified in Australia, but the vehicles still only had 5 road wheels. The FV432 and all movie prop FV432 variants have had a front drive sprockets. The "Pz III" in "Enemy at the Gates" have a rear drive sprockets.
Last edited by Dubliner on 28 Jan 2007, 07:00, edited 1 time in total.
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Brian Ross
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#171

Post by Brian Ross » 28 Jan 2007, 07:00

The movie's official website has disappeared off the net. I can't find any pictures of these vehicles and there appears to be no mention when I do a google. I haven't watched it since it came out in the cinema, so its several years ago but I'm sure they weren't Panzer 61/68 hulls - they appeared too small IMO.
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Dubliner
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#172

Post by Dubliner » 28 Jan 2007, 07:30

Ok, but have you seen a Pz. 61/68 without its large cast turret? Also have you taken into account that the front and side of the hull of these vehicles would be cut down and rebuilt to better match the profile of Pz.III?

Image

Picture is screen shot from "All the Queens Men" (2001)
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Brian Ross
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#173

Post by Brian Ross » 28 Jan 2007, 11:51

OK, having checked that picture against a Panzer 61, you're right, it could be a rebuilt one. Would have required considerable work from the tracks up though. Pity they didn't quite get the turret "right".
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Dubliner
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#174

Post by Dubliner » 28 Jan 2007, 21:08

I agree about the turret, but it could be much worse. You should see the T-44 "Pz.IV" that shows up ever so often during reenactments in Ukraine.
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tk4
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#175

Post by tk4 » 07 Feb 2007, 16:13

Here are some screens of the tank/halftrack from EATG

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Dubliner
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#176

Post by Dubliner » 08 Feb 2007, 03:30

I just received a copy of Jason Mark's excellent unit history of 24.Panzer-Division in Stalingrad, "Death of the Leaping Horseman." The book has number great photos of real Panzer IIIs in Stalingrad. Most of the real Pz.III were covered with a lot more spare track links, spare road wheels, and other gear. The prop vehicles look way to clean, almost sterile with no unit emblems or tactical markings.
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Brian Ross
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#177

Post by Brian Ross » 08 Feb 2007, 05:49

Did they really convert that many? I count what, 16 in the last picture.
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Dubliner
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#178

Post by Dubliner » 08 Feb 2007, 07:27

Post-production digital magic...

Rumor has it that two Pz.III conversions were carried out.
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PanzerKing
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#179

Post by PanzerKing » 08 Feb 2007, 21:27

For the lined up shot...they probably used the two modified ones up front and used photo tricks for the rest.

I think they did an excellent job on the Pz III. One of the best conversions yet in my opinion.
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tk4
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#180

Post by tk4 » 10 Feb 2007, 01:08

Here are some images of the StuG from 'The Eagle Has Landed'

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