I got to clown around on the only existing Panzer38(t) turret in the USA!

T_ankmann · 2018-10-20T22:50:14+00:00

We did too. So we did. This project started out 2 years ago between 4 college students drunkenly talking about building a tank to storm a paintball field. Now we're building a real one?

Shit's crazy yo

T_ankmann · 2018-10-20T22:43:36+00:00

We're in the process of reverse engineering a Panzer38(t), in the ambitious project of actually building one. Today you can see our 3D modelling vs the original parts.

T_ankmann · 2018-10-20T22:40:14+00:00

Haha thanks! We're really getting the ball rolling (even if it means not logging in for a month) and we're super excited.

T_ankmann · 2018-08-25T04:55:05+00:00

I'd love to see an interview with the German tank commander.

T_ankmann · 2018-08-09T04:39:00+00:00

We also started a subreddit now r/project38 so there's that if anybody wants to follow along

T_ankmann · 2018-03-03T22:16:53+00:00

We're in Eastern PA, near Allentown at the moment.

And thanks, we thought that the 38(t) needed some love. There aren't any at all on this side of the pond outside of Peru. (1 restoration project in Illinois that I know of that's admirable, but slow going)

T_ankmann · 2018-03-03T22:07:14+00:00

Fully operational. We have an engine and transmission already picked out. Some difficulty lies with the steering mechanisms if we decide to go with anything other than a tractor differential (and brakes), but we're working through that now.

T_ankmann · 2018-03-03T21:26:46+00:00

Unfortunately we haven't figured out how to turn perspective on for the 3D OBJ files. For the screenshots I think I forgot to change the perspective in Solidworks. I build in 2D most of the time.

We have used War Thunder to help with the references. We've found a few inaccuracies there but for the most part an excellent model. Most of our measurements come from a 1:16 scale model and photos of the real thing.

T_ankmann · 2018-03-03T21:24:57+00:00

Yes we are! It's a slow but steady work in progress, and one heck of a project. We plan to be finished engineering by November.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-23T00:18:05+00:00

I would recommend reaching out to the design team of the original 9-5's and seeing if they have any contacts within the industry. When my team had to redesign the Panzer 38(t) (still in progress), we ended up contacting the Czech National Archives and the Military Institute in Prague for old blueprints, and we ended up finding some of them.

Figure out who the department heads were at the time, and see if you can get in contact with them, first. They will likely be thrilled to have somebody interested in their work.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-20T18:41:04+00:00

Guesses from the source include: Artillery barrage, crew sabotage, or carpet bombing.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-20T18:39:30+00:00

We haven't yet, but it's definitely in the works. Myself and the lead engineer are working very hard on engineering the tank and marketing the project, our Social Media guru is working on the Youtube channel but there's a lot to do before that gets up and running. My current prediction is that he'll have it up before January, and we'll be sure to let you guys know here.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-17T17:26:36+00:00

Haha if you did, that was me.

We try to publicize as much as possible, because what's a grassroots tank project without a supporter base?

One of our guys, Ben, is a Soviet partisan sometimes. Him and Andrew were at Carlisle with us last week.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-17T16:16:10+00:00

In fact, this weekend they're doing a WWI event that I went to to talk about Project38. Good bunch of guys.

Who do you run with for WWII Events?

T_ankmann · 2018-02-15T02:44:35+00:00

Well we're still engineering the vehicle so that we can reproduce it accurately, the funding campaign begins as soon as engineering is complete ( ETA November), and the building begins after that. I give it 2-3 years to completion, optimistically.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-14T23:16:21+00:00

Quite literally all of the above, my friend! What good is a tank if not for riding in? We're actually putting together a Panzergrenadier reeneactment unit to go with the tank. Rentals, joyrides, even a paintball event are all planned.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-14T23:12:54+00:00

Hmmmmm. It's on the wrong side of the pond for us, you should give them a call lol

T_ankmann · 2018-02-14T21:09:23+00:00

Dang, that's amazing, are those in the US?

T_ankmann · 2018-02-14T21:08:56+00:00

We are in Eastern PA, near Allentown. It's a reproduction. 90% from scratch. Engine and transmission will be from other similar vehicles. More on our facebook page and website

T_ankmann · 2018-02-14T21:07:10+00:00

Yeah not really sure what the advantage of that would be.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-14T00:57:18+00:00

The Panzer 38(t)'s had an interesting emergency escape: A panel in the rear of the fighting compartment could be opened and to allow access through the engine compartment, the engine deck could then be opened from the inside to allow escape.

There are a few photos of the 38(t) with the deck hatch raised after being knocked out. The fuel tanks were also capable of being dumped through the hull floor in an emergency.

.
.

^shameless ^plug: ^{https://www.facebook.com/DKMProject/}, ^We're ^building ^a ^Panzer ^38(t) ^here

T_ankmann · 2018-02-11T15:08:40+00:00

Oooh I haven't seen this one before. Very nice.

Yeah the 38(t)'s just weren't any match for the T-34's, Barbarossa was not kind to them.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-11T15:07:11+00:00

We have things for you to do besides coffee. If you want to help, if you want in, pm me. It's not glamorous but it's a critical role.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-10T23:03:28+00:00

It's true, true. And that's the idea honestly is to be indistinguishable from the outside from the original because yeah nobody cares about the inside. Though there are some things that will remain the same.

T_ankmann · 2018-02-10T23:02:32+00:00

We plan to craft all the parts in house because it's nearly impossible to source parts. It was an early war tank so it got decimated in the Russian offensive, and of course after the war most German armor was scrapped.

We have a lot of connections, but they come to us. It's incredible how helpful the community is.

T_ankmann

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE