Ryefield Panther Ausf.G Panzerbefehlswagen Kit

German WW2 armor doctrine required using in-tank radios to communicate their tactics in battle. This required a specialized command vehicle with the ability to communicate with each tank under his command and also with higher echelons.

The Panzerbefehlswagen Panther Sd Kfz 267 was a very successful command tank based on the standard Panther tank. The great advantage of the command Panther was that it retained the standard 75mm main gun of the normal Panther. This made it much harder for enemy forces to identify the command tank and single it out for special attention, always a problem with early more easily identified command tanks.

Very little equipment needed to be removed from the Panther to make room for the extra radio equipment required. The coaxial machine gun and support equipment was removed from the turret, and the number of 75mm shells carried was reduced by 12 in the Ausf. G.

The command Panther carried the same FuG 5 radio as the standard Panther, alongside a FuG 8 long range medium wave transmitter and receiver. This had a range of up to 65km/ 40 miles, more than enough to make sure that the command tank could keep in touch with both regimental and divisional headquarters. Panzerbefehlswagen Panthers were produced alongside all three production versions of the Panther.