Panther tank suspension and torsion bar details

A quick video detailing the interior details of a Panther tank suspension

This vehicle is part of the collection of the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation. For more information check out www.milvehtechfound.com

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Panther
• tank
• tiger
• sherman
• t-34
• comet
• maybach

[SquirrelFromGradLife]

The Germans had hydraulic suspension for their 88mm gun recoil system. I wonder why they didn't use that system to make a lighter system. Maybe it would have been impossible to service inside the tank though.

[DonMeaker]

The torsion bar suspension on Panther made the tank higher, and when armored, heavier. That is why to match a 33 ton Sherman or T-34 the Germans fielded a 45 ton Panther

[RandyBriscoe]

@redreaper2020 A light, or lighter bar, would not hold the weight of the vehicle. The two bars are held, fixed in place, in a supporting "block" type structure. In the center of that block, between the two torsion bars, is a supporting Pin (shaft) and Bearing. This Pin, anchored in the hull wall, allows the block to rotate several degrees (15-20?) vertical, up or down. The first bar twists and then rotates the block, causing the second bar to twist. They also both deflect adding more "spring".

[redreaper2020]

oh...one bar is twisted, and it's geared to the second bar on the opposite end.

Seems kinda pointless...why wouldn't you just use one lighter torsion bar?

[49bobbyk]

Really great to see that set up. Thank you.

[planejack777]

@RandyBriscoe Hey any response to your request for the diameter, length, and center to center distance from Dave? I too need this info. Thanks

[dvdprui]

@RandyBriscoe So, pretty much, one bogie goes across on the bar, twists, and a second bar returns, to give mor emotion? seems it'd be a better use to make each bogie paired, so that the first bogie pushes the second down when it goes up, for easier articulationa nd a lighter overall suspension (less mass needed).

How does hte tiger one work excatly?

[ml191172]

@Danny77uk the idlerwheel cleans off the belt before the drive- sprocket. Also there was no need for return- rollers as the belt tensioned itself (the t34 also has no retun- rollers, but has rear- sprocket drive. However the belt slammed across the wheels on the return ). Another factor was a desire to make a stable gun platform,- the turret is almost in the centre of gravity on these tanks. Ity was also easy to take out power from the driveshaft for use in the turret- drive, and other things.

[RandyBriscoe]

caddydave, could please provide the length, diameter and center to center mounted distance between the bars? It would really help out as I have no access to the interior of any Panthers. I can't find diameter or other dimensions in print either. Thanks

[RandyBriscoe]

usable, safe access hatches for driver / radio operator. If you put the transmission and engine together in the rear, the turret most move forward (like in the T34). It's not "obsession", it's physics and the resulting engineering compromises of the time period.