Well the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum has started a new project - building a Panzer 1b into a runner, they are missing a few parts so lets follow along as the team rebuild this little tank and watch as they tackle the fabrication of those missing parts.
Part1
I am still just blown away by what they’ve managed to do so far with their StuG III resto. Simply astounding to watch them turn a pile of quite literal scrap into something…
They’ve pretty much started the same way with their Pz I resto. I’m hoping that future episodes will revisit their initial work on the lower and upper hulls.
In the mean time… I’m waiting for that next StuG III episode!
I was able to visit the museum yesterday morning on our Australia / New Zealand adventure. The museum is simply amazing especially their German WW2 collection.
Rick I envy you, I so want to make the plans to visit Oz and this museum but would want to tie it in with a visit to Oz V8 Supercars race at Bathurst. Maybe if I don’t buy any kits next year I’ll be able to afford the trip.
It’s a pity we don’t still sentence criminals to transportation down there, then you could just steal a few kits and get free travel (in one direction, at least)…
Cheers,
M
Enjoy your trip Rick. The museum must be awesome. We have a Panzer IA here at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, MA that is a fully restored runner, fully kitted out. You can get right up to it and stick your head (and camera) inside.
@SSGToms I was able to stick my head and phone into the Pz1 on its debut. It is a fabulous restoration. My oldest daughter lives a few minutes from the museum so I try to pop in on each visit.
Latest update video, lets watch a craftsman at work.
i was glued to the video series from the OZ guys where they were restoring the Stug III; these guys are tops in their craft.
Next instalment, Swing arm and drive sprocket. Bonus an engine is sourced.
Ooooh, a Krupp Sport! 
The boys are back with fabrication of the final drive and return rollers.
13:17, Broom broom noises!
Ken
Workshop Wednesday videos on YouTube are brilliant. If you’re not watching them, you should be…
Ok a bit late but here is the next update, lots of progress.
Can’t wait for both their Stug III and this Panzer I to be fully completed and running. The AusArmour lads are artisans in restoring old tanks. it’s amazing.
The fabrication work they do is truly dazzling.
Next episode is up from the guys in Oz. Engine and muffler work this week as the springs aren’t ready yet.
Referring to the hydraulic drive system they installed, " If they [the WWII Germans] could have done it they would have."
They DID. A one-off, the Panzer IV G with Hydrostatic Drive has exactly this propulsion system. It was built in July 1944. It still exists, it was on display at Aberdeen Proving Ground USA for decades and now resides in storage at Fort Moore (Benning) GA USA.
Is that Panzer 1A really, absolutely “fully kitted”? Has it a radio set? Has it a connection for the commander’s headphones, on the back of his chair? Has it two push-pull cables allowing the commander to fire the MGs while using the traverse wheels?
I’ve seen many photos of surviving Panzer 1, I don’t know which ones they all are, but I’ve never seen any of that gear in them.
David