What have I got here?

[R MICHAEL]

Hello all I have another question about a SD.KFZ I have a photo of. It looks like a 232 but there appears to be no fenders at all on the lead vehicle. Think they have been removed? notice the vehicle looks like it is named "Panther"?? thanks! Mike

[S Ballantyne]

hi

Hi there Mike,

Your vehicle is a SdKfz 231, early version, as can be seen by the absence of cast vision ports on the hull and turret side. The mudguards have been removed, which is not a common sight on what appears to be a combat-ready example. Nice picture.

The use of Panther as a personal name on German AFVs is not so unusual, I have seen a SdKfz 251/7 belonging to the LSSAH also named this. Often a unit would have all the vehicles named according to a theme, so Leopard, Tiger, etc might be part of this unit.

The 232 is the command version, normally with large frame aerial or the late version had the less conspicuous star aerial.

Cheers
Steve

[R MICHAEL]

Steve, thanks for the informative reply. I agree with the 231 ID as I checked a little further and agree with you. Thanks for the help! Mike

Hi there Mike,

Your vehicle is a SdKfz 231, early version, as can be seen by the absence of cast vision ports on the hull and turret side. The mudguards have been removed, which is not a common sight on what appears to be a combat-ready example. Nice picture.

The use of Panther as a personal name on German AFVs is not so unusual, I have seen a SdKfz 251/7 belonging to the LSSAH also named this. Often a unit would have all the vehicles named according to a theme, so Leopard, Tiger, etc might be part of this unit.

The 232 is the command version, normally with large frame aerial or the late version had the less conspicuous star aerial.

Cheers
Steve