Tigers, Panthers & Stugs - How Many Survive 2023?

How many WW2 German heavy armoured vehicles survive today? Which is the most common, and how many single examples of famous tanks remain? Which is the rarest? Find out here...
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
Help support my channel:
www.paypal.me/markfeltonprodu...
/ markfeltonproductions
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: The National Archives; Library of Congress; Bangnerfahrer; VFF Wehrtecknische Studiensammlung Koblenz; Samuel Penn; Maciej Born; Alf van Breem; Alan Wilson; Werner Hillmann; Schierbecker; Fat-yankey; Superewer; Picasa

[@pineappleturnovers9431]

The tank museum at Bovington is a much recommend, I remember standing next to the king tiger and being completely in awe at how large it actually was 😬

[@jirisuhonen5548]

Was really cool to see it in Parola tank museum in Finland 😄 never imagine it to be so damn big

[@46FreddieMercury91]

The jagdtiger is even bigger. Like a small house

[@Skeletal00Structure]

I agree, i saw the same king tiger this year and it was so absurdly huge, i definitely recommend others to go see it.

[@paultapner2769]

I live in Dorset but since I don't drive haven't had the chance to get to Bovington in far too long. I remember an event there once seeing tanks outside being put through their paces with smoke grenades going off. Was pretty awesome. Amazing speed on that Stug 3 in the video.

[@davidfinch7407]

Yes, that would be expected. But what isn't expected- I stood in front of a Sherman a few years ago, and man, THAT seemed huge to me. You get the impression from history the Sherman wasn't all that impressive. It really is when you stand next to it.

[@BowmanBro]

Absolutely love all your work and dedication to keeping our history alive, we thank you Dr.Felton

[@Lerxstification]

I know Dr. F is telling the truth. I was playing Panzer General 2 last week, and before one of the final battles in the "Defending the Reich" campaign, I was awarded a prototype unit: The Panther 2. Amazing!!

[@tilohertel8523]

@@Lerxstification Ideal for tactic purpose learning Panzer General II: "Allied General" is recommendable. Yet you got to be good, in the beginning you get the hell out'a trouble. The Soviet campaign is really a nut. It actually ends in the bitter fight for Berlin.

[@tony199120]

When i grew up in the 90s a farmer near my home still had a panzerkampfwagen, that had been used as vegetable transport on the property for decades. he had many broken down ones in a shed aswell, i always loved to see those things, the feeling of some of these vehicles running again like that stug... lovely. brings me back to when i saw him driving out of the shed. making noises but never shutting down. Todays society is like if its making noise, its going to die on you. these german things are something special.

[@HummelJaeger]

Here in Australia, a number of US Stuart light tanks were converted to farm and mining machinery by small operators. One converted Stuart operated through to the 2000s at a mine.

A panzerkampfwagen what? Panzerkampfwagen means Tank in German. Could you mean a Panzer 1?

[@tony199120]

@ a half track transport

[@PantherBlitz]

​@@tony199120A half track is designated 'sonderkraftfahrzeug" rather than "panzerkampfwagen". Your neighbor may have had a sd.kfz 10. The Germans made several thousand of those.

[@braxxian]

Yes that’s probably what he meant. Those old half tracks would make great farm workhorses. An actual tank, not so much.

[@libertycosworth8675]

Mark wonderful video! Just 1 minor correction. The Panther II hull is at Ft. Moore (formerly Ft. Benning) GA, and is part of the US Army's National Armor and Calvary Collection (it is technically not a museum - it is an instructional collection, now occasionally presented to the public in periodic open houses). This collection is no longer considered the Patton collection, since they moved what was the Ft. Knox Patton museum presentation of the collection from Kentucky to Georgia as a result of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) decisions. I have attended 3 open houses at Ft. Moore (Ft. Benning), Rob Cogan is the collection curator (great, dedicated guy), and Sofilein, Hillary Doyle and Nicholas Moran have all done videos related to the armor collection there, with 1 or 2 of those videos discussing this Panther 2. This week Nick released his 2nd of 2 videos on the US Army's T-28/T-95 "doom turtle", filmed there at the collection at Ft. Moore.

[@simonkevnorris]

Yes, I was going to post that the Panther II is no longer at the Patton museum. I was lucky to see it in 2000 while I was in the USA on a trip for the F1 race at Indianapolis. I also went to the Air Force Museum next to the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum.

[@libertycosworth8675]

@@simonkevnorris I took my son to the National Museum of the United State Air Force almost every Saturday for 2 years -- probably about 90 visits of between 2 and 6 hours - from when he was old enough to walk until we moved from the area. My family and I have also visited the Tank Museum at Bovington as well as the NACC and the former AAF tank museum in Danville Virginia (just closed).

[@tankman7711]

The Armor collection was part of The Armor School and was housed not only at Patton Museum but all over Post ( Fort Knox, KY). When Armor School became ' The Center of Maneuver Excellence ' and moved to FT.Benning, GA...they took 90 percent of the Armor and the entire library housed at Patton...it was after all part of the school. GEN.Pattons personal items are still in display as are several pieces of Armor. I used to work at Patton...helped with putting the ONTOS back into running order. Sad day when we learned the Armor & Cab were leaving Knox. Armor Memorial Park is still at Patton, they couldn't move all that.

[@KRN762]

It will *always* be Ft. Benning, no matter what the communists in DC call it.

[@454FatJack]

Blue Yank winner’s history or no history at all😢

[@petemarfatia8725]

Mark, a *huge thank you* for all your work! I am very hopeful that the work being done at the Australian Armour & Artillery Museum in Cairns may result in the number of running Tigers doubling to 2!!! Fingers crossed, 2024 for the news! If you watch their Workshop Wednesday posts, it's amazing how many of these German WW2 vehicles and guns they actually have AND their efforts at restoring them are captivating viewing (I think).

[@kriskay5020]

Us Aussies have a long history of stealing German Armoured Vehicles going all the way back to WW1

[@thatsme9875]

yes indeed, see "Mephisto" the sole surviving A7V (Sturmpanzerwagen), which was "liberated" by Australian troops and is now on display at the Queensland Museum in Brisbane Australia. www.museum.qld.gov.au/learn-and-discover/podcast/mephisto-the-sole-surviving-ww1-tank

[@wanderer7755]

Those guys are awesome

[@Davivd2]

It's a daunting task. I used to watch a tank restoration show on the Military channel. Finding the blue prints and manual's was a real challenge for some of these rare tanks. Then any part that couldn't be dug up from some tank grave yard needed to be fabricated from scratch. If you don't have the original specs....you can imagine how long and difficult that can be. My hats off to the workers trying to get a second Tiger up and running. They are up for a real challenge.

[@marvindebot3264]

If AAAM gets a Tiger running it will be #3, the Swiss one is much closer to completion. The place is indeed awesome and Tank Fest is worth coming Down Under for if you ever get the chance. @@Davivd2

[@michaelporzio7384]

Somewhere in a forest, swamp, lake or river a few more may exist, as previous MFP videos have indicated, thanks much Dr. Felton.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

They absolutely do and if you look in the right places there are piles of bits still around. Have a look at the Australian armoured museums rebuild of a Tiger. Well worth an hour of your time 😊

[@casperreininga3253]

There are accurate records of King Tigers being dumped in German lakes here and there, although getting them out might prove impossible.

[@tilohertel8523]

I guess in Russia you find many more examples of tanks. Of many types. Either as a model on static or as a sunken fate of "Vergeltungsoperationen" against Partisans in the swamps.

[@tilohertel8523]

Read "Der zweite Weltkrieg" by Militaerverlag of GDR.

[@khor11]

There is a private military muzeum in Kłanino, Poland. They have running Stug III ausf G, and are still working on their panther. Panther was set on exhibition in early 2023. It is mostly complete, but they are still working on returning it to driving condition. The museum actually have their own KZbin Channel called @TankHunter. It is mostly focused on salvaging artefacts

[@waggsish]

Another Felton gem. Mark is without doubt the foremost authority on WW2.

[@kevinbautsch]

Mark Felton videos are a Godsend for people who love History. Thank you Mark for your work. It is appreciated.

[@YMC888]

Wonderful to see this great topic on a Sunday night Mark! Hope you’re well lately!

[@Nathator97]

I had no idea how large the Sturer Emil actually was! Great video! Keep up the good work!

[@owenstv]

No idea either! Very cool. What was the tank behind the Sturer Emil in the photo? Looks like a tank destroyer of German build.

[@TheWaysaider]

It's a Waffenträger, one of several prototypes with the goal to mount a large gun on a cheap chassis.

[@derauditor5748]

It translates to "Stubborn Emil"

[@Pepe_Silvia]

@@derauditor5748 The translation does not matter, because it is not a really name but some made up bs. Like Brummbär. And of course he is a Panther guy. Lol. "Historian".

[@martinoconnor4314]

@@Pepe_Silvia My wife's uncle drove a Sherman Firefly in Italy in WW2, well actually he drove a Sherman fitted with a 17pdr gun fitted. He had never heard of them called a"Firefly" until I bought him a model kit of one around 2005, he passed away in 2007. So if he drove one and he didn't know they were called Firefly's was this something that was concocted post war?

[@marcpoelmans]

I was lucky enough to discover the Bovington museum during their Tiger days, where they had gathered all produced types of Tigers in one place for a special exhibit. It was truly amazing to stand next to these massive tanks! I hope to attend their Tank driving days next year. Here in Belgium we are fortunate to still have a King Tiger on display, in the town of La Gleize.

[@michaelkovacic2608]

Very interesting, thanks very much for making this. It's great that there are survivors of so many fighting vehicles that were already very rare by WW2 standards. I hope good care is taken of them to preserve them for future generations.

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

The Panther Tank at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson Massachusetts is a must see. They have it on display battling a T34... absolutely amazing. I visit the Panther 3 in 4 times a year as I live just an hour away. 💨 They also have a Stug IV along with plenty of other armor from every decade and war.

[@TeutonicNordwind]

That just went on my bucket list!

[@malakasquad2214]

This is some pretty impressive heavyweight content. Thank you, Dr. Felton!

[@garylawson5381]

Mark Felton Productions never disappoints! Thank you Dr Felton for sharing this tour with us.

[@kyledunn6853]

The American Heritage History Museum in Hudson, Massachusetts has the only fully restored and operational Panzer Mark 5 Panther in North America and also has several operational Stug III self-propelled gun and 1 Stug IV.

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

Hey Kyle, I visit the Panther a few times a year when I'm visiting my folks. The way they have it on display battling a T34 is absolutely brilliant. The amount of armor on display from every decade is mind-boggling. But, the museum isn't just all about armor... they even have a Uboat conning tower and a beautiful Me109 for all to see. The Panther is from the late Jaques Littlefield collection and was featured on the History Channel years ago. 👍🏽

[@kyledunn6853]

@@jerryjeromehawkins1712 I know and one of Saddam Hussein's SCUD missiles

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

​@@kyledunn6853Haha... yes. The first time I saw that I was in disbelief. What the... ??? 😮

[@kyledunn6853]

@@jerryjeromehawkins1712 Me too!

[@oldtop4682]

@@jerryjeromehawkins1712 You need to go to Chicago to see a whole U-boat at the Museum of Science and Industry.

[@oj_ow]

I really wish you had a full series. These are great vids, but just for the big production and all that. Thanks again for the knowledge fellow Norfolk dumpling.

[@russwoodward8251]

Fascinating topic. Really great footage of the runners. Thank you Dr. Felton.

[@jamesoneil1388]

Excellent as usual! It's amazing that there are some relics like these still left.

[@lance3748]

Tigers and Panther and Stugs. Oh my!

[@fordfairlane662dr]

I really am enjoying all the history from Mark Felton 🇺🇲🇺🇸❤️🥰💞💕

[@ovidiurusu4490]

I like the us tanks better

[@ryanSLF]

Thanks for the Sunday evening video Mark. Always appreciated.

[@jimhudsonapps]

I was a tank gunner and trained at Ft.Knox...this was in Kentucky. Small slip but just wanted to mention it.M60A1 was my tank..great video sir!

[@gvii]

There's a fellow here who has built one very late war Mk IV from bits he's gathered together. All original and historically accurate except for the engine. He went with a modern engine for reliability and serviceability since he intended the tank to be operational. It's really quite amazing. Even has the radio equipment, though non-operational due to the lack of the wiring for it. He also has a Mk II Luchs, though I think that has a lot more scratchbuilt parts since the originals are rare as hens teeth. He's also in the process of building a second Mk IV from gathered pieces.

[@Ko.Wi.]

May I ask where you live? US?

[@gvii]

@@Ko.Wi. You are correct.

[@daveybyrden3936]

Wiring? Do you mean the power cables and connector cables? I can't understand how that would be the biggest problem. There are people who own Panzer radios, and have them in working order. They trade cables all the time.

[@gvii]

@@daveybyrden3936 I have no idea why he doesn't have those, it's not my tank. Besides, I'm sure it's way down on the to-do list. Call me crazy, but I know I'd be far more concerned with DRIVING the tank than worrying about whether or not the radio works.

[@jmc7034]

Loving this series. Interesting seeing what’s survived and in running condition

[@redstar1408]

Always so impressed with Dr Felton's content, the video, pictures and research all blended together in a great story telling format. Well done!

[@rumpstatefiasco]

SUPERB tank review. No surprise when Doc Felton sets the bar.

[@ggallows29]

Great video! One correction, all the armor from the Patton museum (including Panther II) was moved to Fort Moore in Georgia 10 years ago. They are in storage and no longer on display to the public :(

[@swan_kytiger]

they do have open house days for anyone to visit and I think anyone with military id can get in to visit

[@BatchelderPatrick]

It's true, Fort Knox, Kentucky used to be "Home of Armor" where I became an Armor commander. It's been my contention that many in the DoD consider that tanks are of little use today what with the advent of high technology in war. I believe at some time Armor will be phased out or phased into another purpose. Sad, but true.

[@TI4438]

Typical government waste. Closed the museum and moved the artifacts shortly after renovating the place.

[@JoeSmith-rh1hc]

Saw them a few years ago sitting on sand hill in some motorpool pretty interesting to see out of nowhere, was the last place I expected to see a German tank, along side some t72s bmps and a couple of other odd vehicles

[@oldtop4682]

I should have read further down before posting lol. They should find space to reestablish that museum. I wonder what has happened with the Ordnance Museum collection since it moved from APG?

[@thetek2006]

I've been to the Tank Museum a couple of times, 2014 and summer 2023 and both visits were great many, many hour afairs. I think the first had more to see as there was a warehouse full of rows of military vehicles you could wander around and that I think has now been turned into a further area showcasing specific models with a lot more information. They have so many vehicles now that the museum could be twice the size and probably still not have room to display everything.

[@BTillman48]

EXCELLENT compilation. Thank you (again) for your work.

[@petercarter9034]

Thanks for posting Mark

[@M1903a4]

Many years ago there was an operating Tiger II at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland (USA), where they apparently evaluated it after WWII. They would trot it out on Armed Forces Day, along with a number of other armored vehicles, and let the public get a good look. I remember it particularly because I counted seven direct hits on the frontal armor from anti-tank guns, none of which disabled it.

[@s99614]

Didn't all that stuff get moved to somewhere near Petersburg VA?

[@JRCinKY]

Last I heard it was at Ft. Lee near Petersburg. The name is changed to ???? Whatever; still Ft Lee to me.

[@rainbowseeker5930]

7 direct hits and it kept going strong just like Johnny Walker !

[@josephstevens9888]

WW2 German armor did look fearsome indeed!

[@emilioalcazar-su9vi]

Beautiful catalogue of these glorious battlefield veterans..!

[@superjonboy873]

Tanks for another phenomenal video Dr. Felton!

[@scotthaskin1509]

Mark, the Panther 2 prototype isn't at Ft. Knox, it is currently at Ft. Moore (Ft. Benning) in Columbus GA at the US Army Armor & Cavalry collection. The collection is closed to the public, opening only during open house events, usually 4 a year. I was lucky enough to in September and have a picture of the Panther 2!

[@bobs1728]

And Ft. Knox is in Kentucky of course, not Georgia. Still a great video.

[@pjkentucky]

@@bobs1728I’m glad you pointed that out. It would be like saying London is in Wales.

[@alericc1889]

@@pjkentucky LOL yeah that took me back as well since I live in Louisville and my mom lives off Dixie Hwy leading to Ft Knox.

[@magecraft2]

Must admit this got me thinking about the other German armoured vehicles like Panzer III , Hetzer, Panzer 1 and 2 ( especially the Luchs) :)

[@donlunn792]

Great vid, Mark thank you for your work.WWII is probably my main interest in life. Great to look at your vids. So much information. I worked at Bovington Army Base repair workshop. I was fortunate to see the Bovington Tiger being rebuilt. I think that many people think that the Tiger was rebuilt by the Tank Museum. Sorry guys. It was rebuilt at the Army Base repair workshop, just up the road from the Museum. The Maybach engine was a problem.But eventually they got it working. It was terrific to see it coming together. Probably there have now been many improvements to it. Because it had a few problems. But it is great to see it running today. What an exhibit at the Museum. Great to know I was there when it was put back into working condition. Bovington Tank Museum! Wow what a place to visit.

[@Goodtimes78]

Great video once again! Loved the footage of them currently driving Thanks Dr. Felton

[@Invaders757]

There's a French museum that started to restore the most original Tiger I in existence (original engine, transmission, the lot). They started a donation campaign, if anyone want to help. The goal is to make it run again. They know their stuff, the museum owns the only Tiger II that still runs and drives.

[@FreGZile]

it's the Musée des Blindés de Saumur

[@mrh678]

I think you'll find Tiger 131 is the most original and still working. It was captured in North Africa completely intact and running other than the turret traverse was jammed from an impacting anti tank round. The crew bailed after the round struck.

[@thibaudduhamel2581]

@@mrh678tiger 131 is indeed almost original, but has had replacement parts from other tigers. The saumur tiger is entirely original, having been captured without a fight, and is still in the condition it was in 1955 when the french army put it in long term storage. Soon the Musée des Blindés will be the only place to see Tiger I and Tiger II rolling down the street

[@sosteve9113]

Interesting

[@jacqueschouette7474]

@@FreGZile I've been there! I took my son when he was 8 years old and I've got pictures of him in front of the Tiger and the King Tiger. A great place to visit if you like military history.

[@at1970]

Can’t imagine being an infantry soldier and facing machines like these back then.

[@NorceCodine]

The video doesn't show how big these tanks are. I stood next to the Panther and the Tiger II in the Munster museum, they dwarf any modern tank, and it takes a couple of days to get used to their height and sheer mass. These are true monsters of steel.

[@PUBHEAD1]

Awesome timing. A new vid from Mark, just in time for me to sit down and watch with my Sunday afternoon cuppa. Cheers from Canada

[@brodyberry6253]

Hell yeah! Thanks for another great video Mark.

[@Comet5551]

I remember when my family and I were on holiday in Belgium and we got to see some static tanks that had been put on display in some of the villages, one was a damaged Panther either an Ausf A or Ausf G and probably the one tank I didn’t expect to see, a Tiger II which had a panther barrel put in as its original long 88mm barrel was gone, i still remember that it had a few dents in its upper plate and one dent where the upper and lower plate met, goes to show how strong the armour was

[@patallen5095]

Love all the information and videos on tanks and their rehabilitation! Mark, do your numbers include tanks in private collections as well as museums, or it it tougher for the private collections? I can't imagine the Allied soldiers sitting in their foxholes hearing those behemoths bearing down on them!! Terrifying!

[@guymarcgagne7630]

These ''last surviving / Rarest'' series are BRILLIANT! Great initiative to forge ahead on your part: immer prima! Félécitations! Be well & stay safe

[@user-gc9ld1gn4l]

There is also a fantastic tank museum in Munster (half way between Hamburg and Hannover) with a wide range of historic and modern tanks.

[@tomawen5916]

I myself wonder the same, especially because so many were destroyed in combat, or scrapped after the surrender. So informative and thank you Dr. Felton!! And I agree with Dr. Felton's feelings about favorite vehicles as the PzKw V Panther is my favorite as well!

[@tomawen5916]

Aw shucks, i did an edit and lost my ❤ from Dr. Felton!

[@tilohertel8523]

The German Panzermuseum at Munster once had a Tiger I as a lend vehicle by an American collector. Yet they had to return it on the wish of the collector. Tiger I is quite rare. It is hard to get undiscovered ones. Ask near St. Petersburg in case the fights in Ukraine will cease one day.

[@marvwatkins7029]

This subject is one that I always wondered about. Many thanks.

[@robbiecrawford9325]

You're simply the best Mark. Cheers

[@xenoamen]

The only Panther II left in the world is actually in the Fort Benning US Amry Armor and Cavalry Collection. I know because I saw it lined up with their King Tiger in their "Tankodrome" facility during their open house event.

[@TheGhostofCarlSchmitt]

Also the only surviving Porsche-version of the Jagdtiger is there!

[@xenoamen]

@@TheGhostofCarlSchmitt I believe Jagdtiger 331 is a Henscel variant. The one you're referring to is stored next to the King Tiger in the Bovington Tank Museum.

[@Karzir1]

I was going to say Ft. Knox is in Kentucky, Ft. Benning is in GA......but who am I to correct Dr. Felton! Great video regardless!

[@TheGhostofCarlSchmitt]

@@xenoamen ahh yes, you are correct!

[@chainweaver3361]

It's amazing how many stories Dr Mark keeps coming up with. Simply amazing. If you appreciate seeing these stories consider donating a few dollars or whatever your currency is so we can keep enjoying these.

[@Bigtree5]

Thanks for all the great videos man. I am a huge fan!

[@montecorbit8280]

I hope you do this with the rest of the tanks from the other countries, both Axis and Ally!! Great video, by the way!! Been enjoying these videos that you've been making about how many of what are still around in last surviving what ever....

[@Zebred2001]

It would be good to see a video on "Missing In Action" WW1 & 2 vehicles with no known examples. It might focus recovery efforts in swamps etc. where there may still be recoverable examples.

[@Davivd2]

DR Felton has a few videos of exactly that on his channel.

[@coreydarr8464]

Thank you Dr. Felton, always enjoy your work!

[@bartwaggoner2000]

This is a great idea for a video series! Thank you.

[@Squeesher]

I would love a "The Tank Museum: Top 5 Tanks" video with your choices. And then a Bottom 5 Tanks video, obviously :)

[@marklittlehale5756]

Enjoyed it, but the Patton Museum is at Fort Knox in Kentucky, not Georgia

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Well, yes and no. A lot of the armor collection that was at Fort Knox has been moved to the facility in Georgia. Don't ask me why although I'm sure there were reasons.

[@dirtyeric]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 The Army's Armor School was moved to Ft Benning as part of BRaC in 2010 and the Armor part of the museum went with it and became the National Armor and Calvary Musuem.

[@ianmahoney1215]

I was born at Fort Knox, KY,and raised outside Fort Knox. My dad was a tanker, and took me to the Patton Museum on many occasions. Great memories.

[@thumperpaul]

Awesome video! There was a few that I’ve never even heard of before on your list. Many thanks for posting !

[@desubtilizer]

2:28 I am guessing Mark may be referring to the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum's dedication to restoring WWii tanks and have their own youtube channel that is well worth a visit

[@tjlockie2214]

The only surviving StuG III A is there too.

[@ClimateScepticSceptic-ub2rg]

What a pity most of us won't be able to visit the Russian museum tank exhibits any time soon. I'd love to see the Maus. Vey hard to get an idea of its size from a video.

[@nickw448]

Kubinka outside Moscow is a wonderful museum. You're right, it truly is a pity. Visiting the Maus on its own makes it worth a trip.

[@kampfgruppepeiper501]

I definitely approve of this video topic!!! Always wondering this! Thank you Mark for the great researched video.

[@ottohannesgrandin6280]

Thank you Dr. Felton!

[@Peetfighter]

I've had the pleasure of seeing one of those Nashorns at Militracks in Overloon as one of them was restored nearby. This was months after if had suffered major fire damage however, meaning it was not in an operational state and the restoration crew had to start all over again. Nevertheless they managed to piece together and clean up the vehicle enough to make it worth displaying.

[@yyz4761]

It’s running

[@TheGhostofCarlSchmitt]

you missed two for #1! There is the Waffenträger that was visible next to Sturer Emil in Kubinka and there is a Heuschrecke in the US!

[@RedXlV]

Specifically, the Ardelt Waffentrager 8.8cm PaK 43. Which is the only one of the Waffentrager prototypes to survive.

[@RubenChickenFences]

Incredible video. Amazing history. Thank you sir.

[@irish3335]

Fantastic video Dr Felton, I never realize I want to know these facts until you put them out!

[@omisan771]

It's sad to know so few of these tanks still exist and run.

[@FreGZile]

I mean it's cool that there's still some on them, but what would be the reason to have more in running order?

[@averagejoe9186]

@@FreGZile better accessibility to historical items and artifacts? I see no reason why they shouldn't be having more in running order. At least the likely ww2 films to come would have more genuine vehicles to star in them instead of poor-looking fantasy pieces made from soviet tanks.

[@FreGZile]

@@averagejoe9186 98% of audience can't tell a real or fake german Tank, so why bother anyway? I think ww2 focus too much on material accuracy which really doesn't matter history-wise, the facts, events and politics are what really need to be remembered. tanks are just... tanks.

[@FreGZile]

@@averagejoe9186 The problem is you think that people care as much as you do which is not the case, when Saving Private Ryan came out is 1998, how many people could tell that the tiger was not not a real one, or that beach obstacles were facing the wrong direction, or that the German bunkers were completely out of place or misused? all these details are just details and overall nobody cares but ww2 buffs, and even so, they liked this movies and others that have as many or more flaws because they tried to be faithful to history of what people went through to shape the world of today, because that's whats most important in the end, the human, political and social aspect. I respect that people cares for technical details but I wish they would not overdo it with giving too much importance in promoting that kind of history.

[@averagejoe9186]

@anTenorfr I don't necessarily disagree but in my view it's all about who is the film's target audience? What's the budget size and what can thus be expected of it? Will it try to cater to any casual consumer that doesn't know better and is willing to ignore inaccuracies? Or would it rather try cater to history buffs and "nerds" and the casual consumer just happens to get entertained, maybe even educated on the side as well? Films that strive to entertain and satisfy more or less everyone should be the ones to get made.

[@LarsLinde]

Panzerfarm in Poland is working on making another Tiger 1 up to running order

[@stevesloan7132]

Thanks for including footage with sound! I have often wondered what these machines actually sounded like.

[@ryecreeks]

It just doesn't get much better, a bedtime story and film from Dr. Felton!

[@steventrompeter9883]

The turret of the Panther2 might not be totally original, but the gun mantlet is.Note the thick bottom to reduce the shot trap. Surprisingly two out of 18 SturmTigers exist. Quite a percentage. Thanks for the video.

[@hjalmar4565]

The turret of the Panther II was never made. This turret, including the gun mantlet, is from a Panther ausf G (late).

[@steventrompeter9883]

@@hjalmar4565 I stand corrected, the mock up shows a much narrower turret with a Saukopf mantlet.Have a good day.

[@zingwilder9989]

Wow, The Maus!!! 188 tons! What a monster! It was powered by a V12 diesel or V12 gasoline engine. It had a top speed of 11 mph.

[@Davivd2]

That engine powered the electric generator, which in turn powered an electric motor (one for each drive). It was a crazy design. The Germans even designed a snorkel for the Maus to go across rivers. The fuel efficiency was something like 50 meters per litter. I love the Maus, but it was the Wunderweapon that got way too ahead of itself.

[@NorceCodine]

The electric motor were necessary because it has a much bigger torque than an ICE-engine. That's why a Tesla 3 out accelerates any Ferrari. Ferdinand Porsche knew about engineering, you know. @@Davivd2

[@zingwilder9989]

Thank you both for the clarifications.

[@blank557]

Tanks, Mr. Felton!

[@peterpetiet7900]

Thank you Dr. Felton ! The Jagd Panther is my favorite German WW2 tank.....

[@markborn5293]

It’s surprising to hear how few German tanks were ever really built. And I’m sure I’ve seen at least three of the King Tiger tanks. 1 in Bovington, 1 or 2 in the Ardennen. And I’m nearly certain I saw 1 at this quaint little war museum near Arnhem. I’ll have to look up some old photos! Edit: So, it wasn’t a King Tiger near Arnhem… ahum… yeah well, I’m old…

[@doomboi8637]

yet their conquest was so strong withso less armored vehicles

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Looking at all those armored vehicles I can't help but wonder what the effect on the German war effort might have been had they standardized on three or four types and produced them en masse instead of "reinventing the wheel" with others. Say, upgrading the Panzer IV (the "German Sherman") as needed and the same with the STUG III and IV? Something to think about. It certainly would have simplified the logistical support tremendously to say nothing of training crews.

[@EW742]

Than there would be no Hiroshima... instead a german town...

[@HaVoC117X]

I think this argument is not hitting it. Germany attacked the soviets with a large variation of captured tanks and trucks from all over Europe, which made logistics difficult, but it was all they got. But since late 1941, all their domestic produced tanks based on the Panzer III and IV chassis were using the same drive train (same engine, same gearbox, same steering system. The sherman alone came with 5 different engines and two different types of fuel. Even the US operated both at the time M10 diesel, M4 Petrol. After 7 years of production and ongoing upgrades the Panzer IV and III chassis reached their designed 25ton weight limit. There wasn't potential to grow anymore. Bigger engines, would need a bigger engine bay... Leads to increased weight... Which leads to new running gear, a bigger gun.... Leads to a bigger turret... Which leads to more weight again... It's an endless cycle. You will end up with a new vehicle anyway. Panther was designed as the basis to replace Panzer III and IV in all their roles. Medium Tank, TD, Flakpanzer, sp. artillery and ARV. Medium tank, TD and ARV were already realized. Tigers, Jagdtigers, Ferdinands dont even make up 4% of all 55.000 tanks and spgs the Nazis built. They were special weopons and don't mess with the logistics and production capacity as much as it was made out to be. They were organized in their own battalions, and most of them were produced by a single small factory. Germany spent only 6% of its war budget on tanks, of which Tigers are just tiny part. The Luftwaffe and the Uboots used much more money for reseach and production.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@HaVoC117X You brought up some very good points! You're right about the Germans invading the Soviet Union with an array of military vehicles from all the occupied countries, in fact Operation Barbarossa was described as a "Military museum on wheels." The fact is th Germans NEVER had enough of their own equipment to go around so WHY complicate things further by developing more vehicles that will need production facilities you'll have to design and build as well. Better to stick with what you've got and make more of it, especially if it works. Let's talk about the Sherman. Yes, there were five different engines for the model and two fuel types, gasoline and diesel. All the Shermans used in Europe had gasoline engines to simplify supply. The diesel engnined ones were used by the US Marine Corps in the Pacific, diesel being easily obtainable from the US Navy. The remaining four gasoline engines in the Shermans were also interchangeable with other American pieces of equipment, again simplifying supply. Other diesel Shermans were kept in the US but for training purposes. As far as weight the standard Sherman weighed no more than 30 tons, just slightly more than a Panzer IV. The Panzer IV was sucessfully up-gunned with a 75mm cannon and could more than hold it's own against a Sherman, or a T-34 for that matter. Thorough Germn tank crew training which Russian crews were deficient in and sometimes American crews as well could have made up the difference in performance. So it's my contention that the Panzer IV could have been adequate to German puposes. Others may not agree and that's fine. It should be remembered that all those different German vehicles also complicated the parts resupply system and the Germans NEVER had enough spare parts to go around. There's stories of German tank maintanance men from different panzer units having fist fights at the railheads just to get their hands on spare parts. It's been documented that American tank repairmen were surprised the Germans didn't seem to go through the effort of trying to recover disabled tanks as we did. No wonder, with no spare parts what's the point? Anyway, this is a good discussion and who cares why the Germans lost? Thank God they did!

[@HaVoC117X]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706small correction: M10 tank destroyers based on M4 used Diesel and served along the Petrol consuming M4 tanks in Europe. The M4a4 hull for the giant 30 Cylinder Multibank engine was longer and not interchangeable with the others. Furthermore Panzer IV was not streamlined for mass production. The Panther was. They built 8500 Panzer IVs since 1937 till 1945. But 6300 Panthers from 1943 till wars end. 3800 Panther in 1944 vs 2500 Panzer IV in 1944. Despite the fact that the Nibelungenwerke which built the Panzer IV was the largest Tank factory of the Reich. There was no way around it, they needed a new tank design for the now ongoing war of attrition. With the Panther they could built 6300 medium tanks in 1944. The russians built 12500 T34/85 the same year. Given the industrial infrastructure of Germany and given the fact that they were trading tanks at a ration of 1:4 in favor for the Germans on the eastern front in 1944, this is not a bad number and hardly sign of great mismanagent. But the US also built over 13. 000 Shermans the same year. There was just no way Germany could win at this point. It doesn't matter if they have settled for another tank. They already had cheap mobile spgs like the Hetzer and the Stug III. Germany only had limited access to oil and overstretched their logistics with the tanks they already had. More tanks wasn't a viable solution.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@HaVoC117X OK, well done, you win! By the way, what branch of the forces were you in?

[@nicholasmacdonald100]

The American heritage museum in Massachusetts has a panther tank ! I went to see it a few years back ! Immaculate condition! Thank you for another fascinating video professor Felton

[@DRAGONSLAYER1220]

Tigers, Panthers & Stugs...oh my!

[@BillHalliwell]

G'day Mark, thank you so much for this, I think it may be a unique look at the entire range of German WW2 tanks/tank destroyers. Like the many types of medium bombers used by the Luftwaffe, I would like to ask you a question I've been pondering for a long time. Firstly, I recognise that both the UK and the US had wide ranges of various weapons groups, but it has always seemed to me that throughout WW2, Nazi forces 'over diversified' in many weapons types. So, my question is this: do you think that, overall, the German's preference for many different types of armour, aircraft and other weapons systems was a direct contributor to the mid-war downturn of Germany's fortunes and its eventual loss of WW2? Certainly, in sheer weight of numbers produced, of course, they were 'out produced' by the US and even the UK in some instances. But as a follow up query; do you think they would have had more sweeping victories, say over Russia etc., if they had concentrated, like the US did on the Sherman tank and three major types of heavy bombers etc.? I'm not usually one for 'what if' questions but, lastly, I've had to wonder what would have transpired if the Kriegsmarine had been given the 400+ U-Boats they requested as soon as war was declared; and this submarine force was successful in stopping the stockpiling of US weapons in Britain. All the best, as usual, cheers, Bill H.

[@brianlamb7937]

Small correction...Fort Knox is in Kentucky...IIRC the Panther II has been moved to Fort Benning (may be wrong on this one)

[@JayYoung-ro3vu]

You beat me to it! lol. My late father and uncle did training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

[@davidtaflan941]

All us old Ft. Knox graduates caught that small correction.😅

[@davidtaflan941]

All us old Ft. Knox graduates caught that small correction.😅

[@rodneypayton1699]

Mark Felton made a mistake? I guess it had to happen someday!

[@JayYoung-ro3vu]

@@davidtaflan941 👍🇺🇲😆

[@jasonmussett2129]

Brilliant as always👍

[@ageingviking5587]

Great stuff Mark. Thank you.

[@diegoferreiro9478]

Spanish contribution to this preservation effort is up to 3 Pz.IVs (one in running condition since around 2004) and as far as I know 3 StuG.IIIs. A fourth StuG was used in the early 70s as a test bed launcher for a experimental field support tactical rocket. The rocket was quite large (38-41 cm 15-16" calibre) and had a range of 20 km, like a prehistoric unguided Himars. Not sure if the StuG was scrapped later, but for the trials had its gun removed and a kind of cage structure movable single launcher added on top. A truck crane assisted to the rocket loading. The rest of the batch (17 Pz.IVs and 6 Stug.IIIs) were sold to Syria to be expended as IDF targets in the 6-Day War.

[@200010michal]

Small correction. 2 StuG IVs are still fully operational, one in Poznań Tank Museum, Poland and one in Australia.

[@myyou2b]

I would love to see any one of these in person. Thank you, Dr. Felton.

[@gunmasterx1164]

I got to ride in a JagdPanzer 38T Hetzer at Overloon in Holland, they have a militracks event.

[@tysonator5433]

I have beeb to Tiger Day a Bovington Tank museum to watch the only Tiger 1 on a arena. An amazing experience to watch an iconic tank drive around, well worth a visit.

[@kayzeaza]

First

[@daltongalloway]

Good job 👍

[@noonehere1793]

I am surprised that the soviet union hasn’t pulled all the WW II tanks out of the museums and sent them to Ukraine…😆😊

[@genbigmac2872]

It is do mostly to the fact the Soviet Union no longer exists…🤦‍♂️

[@edkrzywdzinski9121]

​@@genbigmac2872😂😂😂😂

[@douglasruss2889]

Always informative !

[@Articulate99]

Always interesting, thank you.

[@ettit6283]

Wow! I'm just in the middle of building STUG 3 model! What a coicidence! Thank you Sir!

[@johnelliott7375]

#636 and 3 minutes is incredible for me to get notifications for the video! Thanks again for your time, work, and production of history of the early years of the multiple years of World Wars and say anything historical! Truthfully told according to the facts and documents and for truth and actual details of it all!

[@hate_mate7054]

I love your work, and as a Herman the German i must say this is one of the best and interesting channel of them all.

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

It's amazing to watch the tanks, thanks Mark!

[@-.Steven]

Great video! Very interesting, and well worth watching several times!

[@richardpowell7214]

Outstanding Video! Had no idea of so many different types of tanks there was in the War. I JUST CANNOT IMAGINE ! What our soldiers and others thought or had to endure. When one of these Massive Armoured Vehicles of Pure Destruction. Was coming towards them. I love listening and seeing th