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UNIQUE ID 182: PANZERKAMPFWAGEN IV THOMA TANK

U.S. Army Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen Proving Ground, USA

(Location: Display Park)


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Sample Photo from Tank with UniqueID 182


Unique ID: 182
Added to Database: May 2008
Last Edited: May 2008
Type (ID): Panzerkampfwagen IV Thoma (97)
Model (ID): Panzerkampfwagen IV Thoma (187)
Location Category (ID): U.S. Army Ordnance Museum (70050)
Location (ID): Display Park (70060)
Serial Number:
Registration:
Name:
Other Identification:
Collection Reference:
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Associated Tanks:

Location History:
(see map)

1: Krupp-Gruson Werk AG, Magdeburg, Germany (Primary PzKpfw III chassis manufacturer)
2: Zahnradfabrik-Augsburg, Germany (Conversion)
3: Detroit, USA (Testing at Vickers)
4: U.S. Army Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Harford County, Maryland, USA (Current location)


This vehicle, the only prototype believed to have been built, was recovered from a factory in Germany after World War II and had not been used in combat. After the war it was taken to the United States where it was thoroughly tested by Vickers of Detroit. Vickers had been working on a similar design for US armoured vehicles, and produced a test report on the vehicle in April 1946.
It can be seen that the original Ausf H chassis used in this vehicle has been extensively modified. The engine compartment is entirely new, it is smaller and does not extend back the full length of the vehicle. Instead it slopes from behind the turret down to the final drive housing, and has three large cast air intakes on either side. Some form of auxiliary motor silencer has been fitted on the left side of the hull. The vehicle has sprockets front and rear, though only the rear ones were powered, and neither type are of a standard PzKpfw IV design...

Images - Photographs and NavPix (click to expand or browse)

July 1983

The PzKpfw IV Thoma at APG
1: The PzKpfw IV Thoma at APG

Taken: 9 July 1983
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 93
Added: 28 May 2008
Filename: Scan_PzI...
Views: 321
Select/Has Priority: 1/0
    

 

Rear right view
2: Rear right view

Taken: 9 July 1983
Contributor: T. Larkum
Photo ID: 94
Added: 28 May 2008
Filename: Scan_PzI...
Views: 466
Select/Has Priority: 1/0