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In the town of Heikendorf authorities were alerted that a pensioner had a vintage Panther tank in his basement. Story located at:

BBC News

Picture attached from the BBC article. Hope that doesn’t get me in trouble!

Regards

Excellent, thanks for sharing!

my main question is "how big is this guy's basement?"

Hmmm. Sounds like I need to make a minor edit to "The Next War 1979".

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

Hmmm. Sounds like I need to make a minor edit to "The Next War 1979".

HaHa!

ORIGINAL: 76mm

my main question is "how big is this guy's basement?"

How big is the hole they made to get it out?

ORIGINAL: Lobster
How big is the hole they made to get it out?

Yeah, I couldn't fit a sofa through my basement door. Must be some kind of barn with a basement for parking tractors, etc.

Now we'll never get to know what he was planning. [:(]

Edit:

Local media reported at the time that the man made no secret of his weapons collection and even brought the tank out during a bad winter to use as a snow plow.

His neighbors saw him plowing snow with a Panther tank and said nothing to the authorities? Were they afraid that he would crush their houses with a King Tiger?

ORIGINAL: WG

Now we'll never get to know what he was planning. [:(]

Edit:

Local media reported at the time that the man made no secret of his weapons collection and even brought the tank out during a bad winter to use as a snow plow.

His neighbors saw him plowing snow with a Panther tank and said nothing to the authorities? Were they afraid that he would crush their houses with a King Tiger?

Given that the thing had no tracks and apparently had to be manhandled out of the basement, I'm not convinced that this part is true.

Anyway, the German government seems determined to charge him with something. It's likely the fine will be a lot smaller than what he'll make if he's allowed to sell the Panther.

ORIGINAL: 76mm

ORIGINAL: Lobster
How big is the hole they made to get it out?

Yeah, I couldn't fit a sofa through my basement door. Must be some kind of barn with a basement for parking tractors, etc.

I found another picture of the Bundeswehr removing the Panther

It's likely the fine will be a lot smaller than what he'll make if he's allowed to sell the Panther.

Fined a QUARTER-MILLION Euros. Corrupt officials looking to make a buck off an 82-year old pensioner.

Cheers

ORIGINAL: cathar1244

Fined a QUARTER-MILLION Euros. Corrupt officials looking to make a buck off an 82-year old pensioner.

Thing is the tank very obviously isn't a weapon. It's no more a danger than the cannons in my local park.

It's just another case of populist hysteria, anything to do with Germany's past must be evil and anyone who collects artefacts from it must be punished.

I'm sure there has to be a swastika somewhere under that paint. Or a paint fleck that used to be part of one.

The dude was born in 1939, so I wonder if his dad drove it into the basement and repaired the damage and let it sit their. It’s a stupid fine they should leave the old bugger alone.

ORIGINAL: Zovs

It’s a stupid fine they should leave the old bugger alone.

Agreed, I’m an old bugger too (not as old as Larry) and like to be left alone. However, lets hope that the “Snowplow” auction nets the fellow a good deal more than the fine. After all, a vintage Panther must be worth a lot more than a few thousand Euros. Understand that there are also some miscellaneous equipment items and an AA gun involved.

Regards

Agreed rhinobones +1

Yeah I saw this story too and I was amazed.

They should have dropped all the charges against the owner. Made him sell the equipment to collectors/museums and move on.

That tank even w/o tracks is in excellent shape. Its a real prize! There are only 6 Panthers running in the world today all in museums. There are another 14 in stages of repair but not running according to Wikipedia. Those numbers may have changed, don't know.

I'll bet its worth 10 to 15 million US dollars as is. The exterior is in real good shape but no interior pictures, so don't know. I sincerely hope it found its way into a museum somewhere!!

Panthers were a hell of a tank in there day!

Regards,
John[;)]

ORIGINAL: Big Ivan


I'll bet its worth 10 to 15 million US dollars as is.

I'm doubtful if it would be that much. It's not a direct comparison but you can pick up a T-54 in running condition for under £100k, I suspect a Panther would be more like $1M.

https://tanks-alot.co.uk/military-vehicles-for-sale/

Just saw a video on Youtube by Mark Felton that mentions this tank. Apparently, it was built by the British after WWII out of left over parts for study.

TomC