WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY: The COMBAT DEALERS Panther Restoration

[@markdavis2475]

Yes PLEASE, to a longer episode! The guys are not only the experts, but they have a nice concise delivery.

[@plainnpretty]

I agree I would enjoy seeing more of them two .

[@adlerarmory8382]

I would watch 90 min to 3 hrs of The Twins discussing the whole restoration. It's KZbin, folks can just pause then watch the rest later. All this needs to be preserved for historical.purposes and for the next guy restoring Panther or Randy at Panzerfabrik building Panther from scratch. Do a search for his PzKw IIIJ, PzKw II Luchs and PzKw IV H builds.

[@JMHTruck32005]

👍👍👍💯

[@benkendall7489]

Oh that’d be fantastic!!

[@farmersboy]

I've had a few opportunities to talk to Nick and Phil, and they are a delight; funny and very, very knowledgeable.

[@ianbeale2527]

"Combat Dealers " makes the Twins look like a comedy double act , eventually getting the job done - just in the nick of time. I'm so glad they had their chance to shine and for us to see what they are really like , even if it was for only 20 minutes or so

[@johnhake5926]

Totally agree with you

[@richardcarr7557]

Well said they are highly skilled and are not presented well in the TV show.

[@podfuk]

so true

[@boogaloofever]

yeah true it's the nature of the cringy reality shows dramatised sludge, conveyed in a form most easily digestible for normies Thankfully we have this channel, and the likes of @MrHewes, as the benchmark for quality content creation

[@TC-qd1zw]

Funny they had more information from the comedy act than they did themselves. Always need the homeland eh.

[@stevebettany8778]

Best walk around ever these guys are really misrepresented on the tv show they are wizards for sure. It was great seeing so much detail about the rebuild.

[@conceptalfa]

👍

[@darreng745]

The problem is the programme is about the alleged star aka Bruce and his shouty deals that he does for the items he acquires where as the twins are the real stars because without them Bruce would be the owner of a lot of rusty old junk

[@thedoc1210]

Shouty Bruce puts me totally off the show@@darreng745 🤣 this is ace though, that gearbox phwoar

[@scipioafricanus4328]

I don’t agree, the show clearly demonstrated the twins skills and expertise which complements Bruce’s entrepreneurship and enthusiasm for history. Bruce Crompton bankrolled everything after all. Combat dealers is a fantastic watch

[@darreng745]

@@scipioafricanus4328 I would argue that without the twins and their near mechanical genius abilities in restoration and metal fabrication Bruce Crompton would be owning a load of festering rusty old junk, yes it is his show but the producers could even do an episode showing how the twins actually tackle a project and it would still draw the audience regardless of whether Bruce is shouting his way across the camera

[@fw1421]

There are so few drivable Panthers in the world. These two performed a miracle. My compliments to all that were involved in the restoration.

[@FirstDagger]

Better than most documentaries about the Panther itself. Such detail and little tidbits.

[@TheBurt007]

It was an absolute privilege to talk with both Nick and Phil at AusArmourfest. My son and I spent 45 minutes talking with them - just a wealth of knowledge and great to have a yarn with!

[@akula9713]

The twins never seem to get enough “airtime” on the superb work they do. Loved this video, love their work! It’s a shame they don’t have an apprentice or two to pass on all their knowledge to. Happy to hear that Bovington helped where they could. It really showed how complex this German vehicle was, so much attention to detail, except the final drives!

[@christopherkroussoratsky2014]

The final drives were originally designed for a tank in the 30 tonne class VK 3002. The Panther weighed 45 tonnes, the final drives were insufficient for the weight. Plus there were many instances where the final drives failed due to sabotage by foreign workers at the factories, as is pointed out in the video. The final drives were basically sound, but not up to the task they had to perform.

[@bat33.12]

Bruce acts like a cartoon villain with Nick and Phil as the target of his many jokes on TV but they are amazing engineers and deserve huge credit for the rebuild. I'm sure there's a lot more to Bruce than the act he puts across on combat Dealers too, you don't rebuild a Panther without a huge amount of work, time and money to gather everything that's required. Fantastic to listen to Nick and Phil give their side of the rebuild story and I could listen to much more of this. Thank you for putting this here for us all to share

[@charlieboffin2432]

The program is just an Arthur Daley but with tanks etc .and a pointless Turk . Twins are the only informative part of that “show “ .

[@darrenjones3681]

@@charlieboffin2432because in reality they are just cast padding he Really the contracts manager in Compto’s underground maintenance company

[@tdb7992]

It's such a privilege getting to hear such experts walk us through the process of restoring such an incredible piece of German engineering. We're also very lucky to have such an excellent museum here in Australia which has clearly built-up relationships with museums and experts all over the world.

[@mellasio3911]

yes general talk is about shooting that sped armor and bla bla bla ......not many talk about engineering stuff on German tanks and why was done that way

[@adlerarmory8382]

​@mellasio3911 Why it was done that way? I think it was a virtual competition to out engineer the next engineer. Why use 4 parts to make a mechanism when you can use 20 or 30? That central lubrication system must have been designed by a machinist I had one like it on the old Bridgeport Series 1 CNC Mill I uses to own. Pull up one knob it forces semi liquid grease to all the ways and bearing surfaces.

[@mellasio3911]

@@adlerarmory8382 mate , all mbt;s are engineering marvels and not easy to repair and replace ....till america didnt got involve quality was more important that quantity and you can see happening now to , you know how american m1 is call computer with armor ....and at that time and even now Germans work at hi standards of engineering ....for them was not complicated was normal .....have a look of japan's engineering ...it put the rest of us to shame ....i love beautiful engineering ....beauty by function

[@mr.bradzee2121]

Nick and Phil are obviously very knowledgeable and skilled, but this is the first time I've seen them able to demonstrate the level of their knowledge (let them shine Bruce :-))

[@Ian-mj4pt]

Yeah impressive to see what they really capable of doing.

[@dagger1145]

These guys are geniuses !! Saw all the videos in England, they do miracles on vehicles, like your team does.. Cheers!

[@datadavis]

Two guys truly deserving to be in the money!

[@stephensmith4480]

@@datadavis 💯% Mate. If these two guys ever walked Mr Money bags would be up The River with no Canoe. These two lads are The Brains and The Real Graft behind that operation for sure.

[@firsteerr]

we forget how skilled this pair are and never think about the network of skilled people they use to reproduce and repair these very complicated tanks , well done all

[@billyponsonby]

More interesting details here than in a complete season of combat dealers

[@Mistral1942]

totally agree. There must be a lot of footage on the virtual cutting room floor from the shows and something that could be put to better use

[@darreng745]

@@Mistral1942 I suspect you will find that they only dip in and out of the restoration process by keeping in touch with the twins on the state of a job or when Bruce updates the production crew to something worth "filiming" like the re installation of the Panther's turret. That is the same reason behind the decline of the Wheeler Dealers franchise where the production costs in filming the restoration and mechanical repair side effectively nixed that aspect as it was easier to follow the fat shouty man on screen ducking and diving.

[@adlerarmory8382]

HEAR! HEAR!

[@graemewatkins5535]

Phil and Nick were great to talk to at Armourfest, and very approachable people, their stories were incrediable to listen to

[@SPSteve]

That Panther is STUNNING!!!! It has to be one of the best and most beautiful German armor restorations on the planet. Congrats for having it in your museum.

[@rodhayes7777]

Panther Ausf. A

[@marceletiennou5182]

Ce panther pas cette, c’est un chars modèle panther

[@lukefriesenhahn8186]

I happy to see them get a more detailed shout-out! 😊

[@KristofferNilsson]

This is a worldclass restoration, amazing work from all involved!

[@thurin84]

this was fascinating hearing nick and phil tell of how they lovingly brought this beast back to life!!! great job guys!!! they made it better than new. yeah, they fabricated a lot of parts new instead of using original but when dealing with a running vehicle you have to put safety 1st. then theres consideration of the future life of the vehicle. its a mobile piece of history and will always have a bigger impact when people can see it in motion (and ride in it he said with great envy lol). this vehicle will be running 100 years or more from now because of the improvements they made. great work guys!!!!

[@FeralVG]

I spoke to the twins at AusArmourfest 2023 - true gentlemen, knowledgeable & humble. The Panther is real credit to them.

[@knudvoecking]

The twins are matching the excellence of your mechanics. They did an awesome and probably extremely costly job on the Panther.

[@kiwifruit27]

I would love to hear the twins talk about your restoration projects eg the Tiger, Jagpanther and Grant and give an appraisal of your excellent work

[@TylerDurden-FC99]

MIND BLOWING.... Deutschen engineering... The detail along in this piece of art, unfortunately meant to kill, leaves one with the everlasting thirst for more information on how they even managed to make it. 💡 to 📄 to 🏭..... Children such be immersed in these topics to flourish the mind.

[@OTGBob]

I would happily watch 2 hours of these guys walking around this tank, so I guess that's my recommendation!! Keep up the good work! By far one of my favorite channels on KZbin!!👍

[@Ian-mj4pt]

Exactly mesmerising. No music and sound effects. Just lads talking about tanks 😅

[@MrDredd1966]

In my opinion the panther is best restored military vehicle at the Australian armour and artillery museum!!

[@grahamejohn6847]

Those two are geniuses and nobody could argue with that as for the Panther it's a work of art a thing of beauty

[@aldo5428]

The best looking tank ever, although Leopard 2 runs it a close second with Panzer II Ausf. L Lynx third…

[@mypl510]

Oh wow, it is rare when a video ends and breaks my heart for ending too soon! Yes, a longer episode would be great! Thanks for this one!

[@blxtothis]

I love Combat Dealers but always appreciated it for what it is, an entertaining show for the mass market and not really to be considered a documentary series so to see ‘The Twins’ in the real environment of restoration is a treat. OZ Armour and The Tank Museum have been favourite YT Channels for me together with Mister Hewes and Fitter Matt for yonks now.

[@basstrom88]

I had the pleasure of having some great chats with the Twins at the 2022 and 2023 AusArmourFest events. They were happy to deep dive into many of the topics about the restoration. It was interesting hearing how they had to pull the APFSDS "darts" out of the gearbox. A bit of an anachronism for the Panther and not something typically encountered during a restoration! Definitely a monster effort.

[@davidbarr9343]

I watched the restoration through "Combat Dealers". The lads did a magnificent job.Sheer genius! 👏😀🇬🇧

[@entropyachieved750]

Loved hearing the Twins recall all the work done. I could have listened to them for hours

[@Tinblitz]

2:58 That's a fantastic detail to spot. It must be so difficult to find evidence of sabotage, because if it was easy to spot, then the saboteur wouldn't have been able to do it for very long. Truly would have to be a brave individual to put their life on the line like that.

[@digitalbegley]

best looking tank ever made

[@CrazymCrazym-wk2go]

was für ein Jahrhundert Werk, allerhöchste Achtung an Euch und die vielen Helfer

[@krmould]

Outstanding! It is such a treat to hear all the details of the restoration from Nick and Phil. I am sure you could fill two or three more 20 min segments with more cool detail. I love the fact that they remade the final drives and upgraded them. The final drives and transmissions were the real weak points of the Panther.

[@paultanker5606]

G'day to you again, Great seeing the Twins again, they should have their own show Bless 'em,so tuned in to what they do!

[@sionsoschwalts2762]

Pathers have to be my favourite tanks

[@markdavis2475]

For a range wreck, it didn't look too bad!

[@Rusty_Gold85]

Full respect to Nick and Phil for the detail and hard labour they put into her. It really highlights how the Panther isnt the Beast its made out to be. It becomes unrepairable once something breaks down and or damaged in a battle

[@darrylg7600]

It would be incredible to see the machine works and crew that rebuilt that engine! Amazing.

[@1SaG]

To say this restoration is hugely impressive would be quite the understatement. Bringing back to life an 80+ year old wreck is no small feat. Well done, lads!

[@w3dnesd4y57]

I never realized what complicated machines those Panthers were. Truely engineering marvels.

[@TheMalootrager]

The great Panther, this is my favourite

[@jimvanriper3272]

What a beautiful machine the Panther Tank is. I've built countless amounts of German WWII vehicles as models to sell on line. But seeing this and actually knowing what the part is and seeing it for real was awesome. Great job!

[@bardstables8909]

In my opinion, this was the best tank of WWII. There just wasn't enough of them to help that much. I would love to see this myself someday.

[@claytonnans5639]

The twins are restoration rock stars. Interesting story. Thanks guys.

[@knickebien1966]

10:12 Nothing like an IPA to help along a difficult restoration project

[@shakesc]

Superb work by the twins, a testament to their skills

[@yattaran1484]

Thank you for the awesome behind the scene restoration story of this beautiful Panther !. Can't wait to hear more of this story. That tiny 8mm pipe running all through entire vehicle for lubrication is just Amazing !. 😮

[@markbehr88]

This video was absolutely fascinating. Well done to all the people involved in restoring this amazing tank.

[@reubenturner9919]

Really good to hear the twins talking in detail about their work!

[@ApriliaRacer14]

Astonishing the level of restoration detail and challenges overcome. Fueled by pure passion and….money.

[@dennisswaim8210]

These gentlemen have restored this Panther into an absolute Masterpiece! I am sure it's new home The Australian Armor museum will take good care of her! This Panther will fit right in with its other great vehicles. What a collection our Australian friends have, a real national treasure this museum!

[@Evaunit98]

The skill of the twins can’t be understated, seeing them at work is mesmerising

[@kittonsmitton]

Incredible, the twins are amazing, taking a target range wreck and making it better than new, huge thanks and kudos to them for this massive working restoration, legends they truly are.

[@blogobre]

Oh I'd happily watch 2 hours of the twins talking about what they did. Perhaps release some of the other footage as additional parts in the future?

[@simonward4072]

One of the best videos I've seen about a panther. Glad to finally end the combat dealers story with it too.

[@steveyountz1757]

Absolutely amazing. I am running out of superlatives to describe these videos and the work that goes into restoring and rebuilding old WW 2 equipment. Now I wish that the twins had a larger part in the show they are featured on. Excellent in every way and I look forward to next week's video. 😎

[@jackmehoff1840]

i am in awe of these two gents...........i hope their knowledge, skills and passion is passed to the next generation

[@aussmith5335]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for. I watched the Combat Dealers build video several times. Great work all round 👍👍👍

[@iDuckman]

I can see why some call the Panther the best tank of the war. Amazing restoration work! Suggestion: Turn the twins loose and film them, maybe point to stuff you haven't seen covered.

[@nigelwhite1483]

Please please please please please more details about the restoration it's such a shame it wasn't covered better on combat dealers so glad you do it on your restorations keep up the great work 👍

[@delinquenter]

Sieht richtig gut aus. Mir gefällt besonders das angebrachte MG an der Luke. Die fehlt häufig, bei den Muesumsstücken. So sieht das Ding gleich viel einsatzbereiter aus.

[@davidmartyn5044]

One of the best videos. WoW, what a wreck, brilliant work on the restoration! Scrubbed up well.

[@Skeptic236]

Wow, what an excellent explanation of their task in restoring this amazing vehicle. Their comments on the duplication of the Zimmerit just shows their attention to detail, that they tested it with a magnetic mine. This brings history to life. What I would like to see in a future episode is how a track was replaced in the field.

[@jamienevill1768]

I love the Panther. Alongside the Sherman, it's my favourite tank of World War 2. This one, of course, is Nick and Phil 's baby since they so lovingly restored it.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Team, that was a brilliant video. It was the fastest 20mins I have every experienced. The twins deserve more screen time as they have so much info that needs to be heard. Bring them back if possible. I Love Workshop Wednesday, Cheers

[@christianroach5107]

Much respect to all who worked on the restoration of this vehicle. Even greater respect to the person who put their life on the line to sabotage it. 2:57

[@ditzydoo4378]

The twins were absolutely a pair of gems. this was one of the best walk throughs to date. Thank you. ^~^

[@Roulandus-le-Fartere]

Heard the wind up and starting sequence for this monster, and met the Twins, at Aus Armour Fest 2022. Very special memory.

[@enormhi]

It's a beautiful restoration for sure!

[@Santaslittlehelper854]

Nice work lads!

[@Conservator.]

That’s an understatement! 😉

[@bradschwamberger1217]

To Nick and Phil, thank you for sharing!

[@russellletch7435]

Excellent another hour would be good 👍

[@mikewinkelman7015]

These guys are some of the best at what they do in the world.

[@darryl3392]

Thanks nick and Phil. Love the story and hope there more to add

[@markaxworthy2508]

I learnt so much more than from Combat Dealers.

[@nikkimontgomery6889]

Perhaps the MOST BEAUTIFUL armored vehicle I have ever seen! She is gorgeous! Congrats to these two amazing gentlemen. A true labor of love!

[@benkendall7489]

Was so excited spotting the twins in a video a little while ago, now I know why!

[@NinjaKittyBonks]

That is a stout looking tank right there. Imagine coming up upon one of these with no immediate cover 🙀Both amazing and unsurprising to hear that sabotage was happening. Great idea and could not imagine the retaliation, if one was discovered!

[@MrSychnant]

A nice comprehensive video with good pics showing the story,the brothers come alive outside their TV persona.

[@aesoundforge]

Yea this could be a whole season of shows. Great work.

[@panzer-head]

Wow, what a stunning restoration job. Something that should last 100 years or more. Congratulations!

[@1967davethewave]

Absolutely beautiful! I bet the people who used this tank for target practice never thought it would ever be anything but scrap ever again. Just an absolute excellent job.

[@piperp9535]

When I watched the sections of video on the recreated gears, torsion bars, etc, I was just amazed, this Panther is in many ways, better than the original. I salute the twins and the men behind them.

[@CountachLamborghini]

So glad I came across this video. Nick and Phil are amazing. The work they do and their knowledge. Fantastic to watch.

[@peterszar]

Wow!, what a job. I like the way the one fella near the beginning, said that you can't look at a restoration on the whole, otherwise it can be overwhelming. I guess it would, heck I was overwhelmed just watching and thinking of all the work that went into the project. Beautiful restoration guys, wish I had my R&R now, instead of the late 60's so I could visit your museum. Adios

[@keithgarland3404]

I've seen the twins on combat dealer episodes, I didn't realise just how involved and detailed work they actually do is, very impressed with the twins work and knowledge, great restoration and another cracking video.

[@mangoman9290]

That grease system is crazy! Amazing rebuild.

[@joefrawley5295]

It still looks better than modern day tanks.

[@Zorglub1966]

This was a very interesting video! Many thanks!!👍

[@Masted-dy7xl]

Panthers and Tigers need this love and care .They may have represented a darker side of history but must be preserved like their Sherman and T34 counterparts.Perticularly because theirs so few of them.Great job lads!

[@MichalKaczorowski]

Fantastic restoration! Those videos are also very helpful for modellers.

[@Alan.livingston]

She’s a beauty.

[@andywarrington4738]

Nick and Phil are masters , big respect

[@wazza33racer]

Amazing restoration with a brilliant narration by the twins. Much respect to them.

[@imdeplorable2241]

My favorite tank.😍 Magnificent job!👍👏 Thank you for bringing her back to life.

[@22GamingGuy]

I love all the "Frankly we redisgned these pieces and they are better than the original" moments. Shows what modern tech and two very intelligent gentlemen can do what a whole industry could not.

[@garyrielly1955]

This is by far the BEST walk around of a Panther tank I have ever seen.

[@bluesteel6612]

Total respect for the twin brothers- they didn’t get the air time on Combat dealers that they deserve -for the amazing restoration engineering work they have done and still do - a dedicated guide build tour of some of their achievements would be great. Well done for this video 👍🏻

[@peterhoulis1184]

Awesome to hear the bros talk with all their knowledge