I just purchased a Trumpeter M1 Panther II knowing about the detail flaws. I was wondering if any were painted desert tan or camoflaged?
A search of this forum leads me to believe the few in service (6-7?) are painted overall Forest Green but I thought I would check in and see if any have had their paint changed or modified since this question was last asked.

Are there any online photos showing external stowage arangements?

Thanks,
CWatson

From the information that I got from Sabot and some of the Iraqi Vets who served there, I was told that there were about four in country. They came from Germany and were painted all over dark green. I Hope this helps. This AFV had a two man crew. So stowage would not be as much as on a regular M1 tank. Hopefully one of the Vets will come up and help clarify the info for you.

Animal is correct. The Army only has 4, normally stationed in Germany, and they are overall Forest Green. He is right on the crew and gear as well.

Here are a few shots of one in Iraq taken by Joel Russ. HTH

http://www.primeportal.net/apc/russ/iraq_m1_panther2.htm

Don

Alas, the prototype was painted in the nato 3-color scheme and had the MICLIC launchers found on the M-60 Panther. It also had a TWMP instead of the rollers along with all the radio gear for the remote control setup. It also had no TCs weapon mount, no bumper numbers or external stowage racks. It was built on an IPM1 chassis. This was at the '95 Armor Conference. Keep in mind that it was set up to impress procurment officers and not to fight a war.

General Dynamics usually ships vehicles from the factory either all green or all Tan. Its usually up to the end user to apply the 3 color paint scheme.

Thanks for the information so far guys. Another question, while the vehicle is "on the road" is the mine clearing gear stowed or just raised?

Thanks again,
CWatson

The TWMP is raised.

Rollers don't raise and the TM max speed with the rollers is 5mph. You can do about 20 with the rollers in real life, but sparks will fly. During clearing operations the speed will be about 3-5 MPH. If a Panther needs to cut and run, the crew can drop the rollers in about 20 seconds. The driver pops the release and the panther backs away dropping the rollers in place. It takes an M-88 or a crane to put them back on. If the Panther needs to be tranported the rollers are usually dropped and transported on a seperate vehicle.

The only panther I have ever seen was in Graf, Germany (summer 2002), and was painted all over NATO Green. The one that I seen had the Mine Plow on it rather than the Mine Roller kit. But let me tell you, it was strange for a tanker to see just the hull of a tank rolling around with a plow on it, and no turret

Mike

How common is it to use the plow instead of the roller? This is the same model plow as used on the M1A1 Abrams?

Thanks again,
CWatson

The vehicle is more likely seen with the mine plow than the roller. The vehicle can transport the plow itself. The roller has to be transported on a 5 ton tractor trailer. Both the plow and roller are the same used on the regular Abrams.

I agree that tanks normally come from the factory either NATO tri-color or desert sand. Some installations, like Fort Hood, have a paint booth operated by the "red cycle" unit that repaints equipment desert sand.

Normally when vehicles come from rebuild depots like Anniston, the vehicles come overall green. Since the Panther IIs are all rebuilt M1IPs, that is why they come in plain green. The demo ones at the Armor Conference are "prettied up" for display.

Yes, The TWMP was adapted for use on the M1 series and Late M60s

My experince is with armor companies, but plows and rollers seemed to be evenly mixed, at least in the early, mid 90's. Plows seemed to be used more often as they are easier to transport. TWMPS are more fragile though, a good nose dive can turn one into scrap metal.



As for the Panther they where fielded after I got out.

Thanks for the info guys , forest green with a plow it will be.

Thanks,
CWatson

The plow just looks mean too.