Was going over pictures from 2013 visit to Fort Benning and saw this one again. Anyone know what is going on with the rear idler sprocket? It is much lower than normal. Maybe some type of experimental drive? This one was originally up at Aberdeen Proving ground in Maryland and a lot of captured experimental stuff went there after the war. Might be a snorkel stowed on the left side.
The 'Mortain' Panther? I think it's just got collapsed suspension at the rear so is sitting oddly. That, and/or they had to shorten the track at some point and cranked the idler in to accommodate (Pure speculation. Their 'Panther II' is sitting quite nicely these days. Wonder if they might have robbed a torsion bar or two. Or maybe some links.) Gun cleaning gear was stowed in the tube.
Typical look for a burnt-out' Panther/Tiger. The rear idler has not moved at all. It is the road-wheels that have moved upwards and thus it appears the idler has been lowered. Note the distance between the last road-wheel and the hull has 'shrunk' on the museum example.
Dave: I saw this Panther when I was there in 2017 (and once or twice since then). That rear-most roadwheel arm on the left side appears to be frozen in a raised position. Mark Neukom
It looks like they got the rest of the roadwheel arms on that side sorted out. The other side was in rough shape, and was missing a couple roadwheels (and the hull side & bottom had sustained some damage). Mark Neukom (edited to correct spelling)
