Post war French Panthers

[ultravanillasmurf]

The French Army used Panthers post war (one might have got as far as Indochina).

Does anyone know what colour they were painted?

I was thinking of getting a Panther A and utilising some of the French decals.

I do need to get another Panther G for a Cuckoo clone.

[Rubicon Models]

Might be of help...

http://worldwartwozone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/26837-post-war-analysis-of-the-panther-tank-by-the-french-army/

[ultravanillasmurf]

Thanks, that is interesting.

The comment "The chassis of the Panther perfectly absorbs the kinetic energy during firing, with the turret remaining in place. " does make you wonder about other tanks.

Scary that at best they were worth refueling only ten times.

[Pinky]

501st Tank Battalion and 503rd Tank Battalion used Panthers for a few years.  But noone seems to know what colour they were.  There are close-ups of one vehicle which show a tricolour marking on the nose and not much else.  In the photo below it's hard to tell if the Panthers are the same colour as the half-tracks.

[ultravanillasmurf]

So a reasonable guess would be US Olive Drab?

[Rubicon Models]

RE: Pinky's photo...

France had the largest number of Panthers after the war, and they actually equipped the 503e Régiment de Chars de Combat with fifty-yes 50- Panthers after the war! These remained in service until 1950.
Link: http://germanpanzerww2.blogspot.hk/2014/03/post-war-panthers.html

[ultravanillasmurf]

So a reasonable guess would be US Olive Drab?

Looking at the photograph on page 16 of the Osprey New Vanguard book, the paint is lighter than the blue (based on the equivalent insignia on the Rubicon decal sets - bottom right below) of the French St Lorraine insignia.

[Pinky]

UVS - the Panther on page 16 was captured and used during the war.  It ended up outside a museum, and is now being restored.  It was painted dark yellow, although that may not be the original paint.  The Panthers used by the French Army seem to have had Zimmerit.