Original German vehicles in Movies

Brian Ross · Post by **Brian Ross** » 11 Jan 2007 08:20

Good fakes. IIRC they were built on M24 Chaffee chassis.

Dubliner · Post by **Dubliner** » 27 Jan 2007 06:58

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

Brian Ross · Post by **Brian Ross** » 27 Jan 2007 09:48

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

Sitzkrieg · Post by **Sitzkrieg** » 27 Jan 2007 19:44

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".

Dubliner · Post by **Dubliner** » 28 Jan 2007 05:48

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.

Brian Ross · Post by **Brian Ross** » 28 Jan 2007 06:00

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.

Dubliner · Post by **Dubliner** » 28 Jan 2007 06:30

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?

Picture is screen shot from "All the Queens Men" (2001)

Brian Ross · Post by **Brian Ross** » 28 Jan 2007 10:51

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".

Dubliner · Post by **Dubliner** » 28 Jan 2007 20:08

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.

tk4 · Post by **tk4** » 07 Feb 2007 15:13

Here are some screens of the tank/halftrack from EATG

Dubliner · Post by **Dubliner** » 08 Feb 2007 02:30

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.

Brian Ross · Post by **Brian Ross** » 08 Feb 2007 04:49

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

Dubliner · Post by **Dubliner** » 08 Feb 2007 06:27

Post-production digital magic...

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

PanzerKing · Post by **PanzerKing** » 08 Feb 2007 20:27

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.

tk4 · Post by **tk4** » 10 Feb 2007 00:08

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