Amusing Hobby have released the Daimler-Benz prototype tank VK3002. Here is a look at how the kit builds up.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

First I've heard that DB produced a torsion bar suspension example , ever .
This is not in the Spielberger book .

Someone can steer me to this info ?

Keith

Darren, thanks again for your help.

Keith, here is one reference, http://www.achtungpanzer.com/panzerkampfwagen-v-panther-sd-kfz-171.htm which talks about the two prototypes. There are also photos of a wooden scale model showing the torsion bar suspension. The biggest problem I encountered was contradicting information. On top of that, every day I did a web search for information, there was in increase in WOT references, and historical references became harder to find. I could not find the reference but read that Jentz had stated the VK3002(d) never existed but was a continuation of the VK3001(d) project. Only the MAN design progressed to the VK3002 stage, which became the Panther. This link http://www.oocities.org/desertfox1891/pzpanther/pzpanther-development.html shows the wooden VK3001(d) model.

I searched every variation of vk3001 and vk3002 to try to gather as much information as possible. There are photos of one actual hull, showing return rollers. The other hull was never photographed. The kit represents the purely fictional final development of the tank, and appears to be based on the original wooden model. It also appears to be tooled for a forthcoming Panther.

Thank you for the link --- But I don't believe it .

All the data and drawings I've seen indicate the DB design only offered longitudinal leaf springs , mounted externally hence the more narrow interior and subsequent smaller turret ring , turret interior etc .
The DB had more tightly interleaved bogies .
MAN was the developer of the torsion bars .

There is definitely a dearth & corruption of info out there .

Thank you for the review ,
Keith

It looks like the illegitimate love-child of a Panzer IV and a Panther.