A visit to Deutsche Panzermuseum at Munster

This saturday saw me leaving the house at 0630 hrs to visit the Panzer museum at Munster which is a 3.5 hour drive from my house and a little over 300kms.

I arrived (with the aid of Tom Tom ) 10 minutes before opening time at Ten.

There was already a few people waiting for the museum to open and I was glad to get inside before many more visitors arrives as the place was crawling an hour later.

This way I managed to get some photographs without too many people in the shots.

There is a good selection for all inside, but the Maus and Hunting TigerII were away near Moscow in Russia being displayed. The Tiger I was also missing from the collection.

My camera battery gave out, but not until taking more than 180 pictures!
This forced me to purchase a Museum book containing all the exhibits and descriptions.

I will post in 3 batches due to the number of photographs.

Hope you enjoy.

Regards
Tom

 

Tom, well done and fantastic photos! I'd say it would take a while to get around all the exhibits - Are there any Allied pieces on display or is it all German?

 

Gotthard, Owen, Et Al,

Believe me, there were plenty of tankophiles. I enlisted the help of a German Tankophile to show the size of the Goliath.

I am only a third of the way through the photographs and I was taking the pictures in the order that the halls were laid out.

Yes, there are some Allied Panzers to come-soon.

Glad you are enjoying the shots.

Regards
Tom

 

Part 2 of the visit.

It would have been nice to be able to take photos from above the Panzers, but there were no viewing points from above.

I had to hold the camera high up to try and get some of the shots, but the rear turret hatch of the King Tiger turned out ok. You can see some of the inside through the open door.

The Jagdpanther sd.Kfz. 173 has a couple of hits to the front plate, which just produced two gouges!

The Bren Gun Universal carrier was not in too good a condition, perhaps it will be restored one day.

Regards
Tom

 

Owen,

It is a 7.5 cm Pak 40/1 Raupenschlepper Ost (SF)

Basically a cheaply produced anti tank gun on a tracked vehicle of which the drivers position is extremely exposed and is steered by two levers.

Only sixty ever made and classed as a self propelled gun.
Manufactured by the Austrian firm Steyr.

Regards
Tom

 

Cheers for the heads up Tom!

I see what you mean about the DAK bike

Regards
Andy

 

The last thrilling installment .

The last part of my tour before my camera battery gave out.

The stone Panzer sculpture looked good.

Pictures before the Stone tank are of a NOTEK rear lamp showing both positions.

I've gone boggeyed downloading

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Regards
Tom

 

Splendid stuff, Tom. Nice to see some Cold War toys in the collection, especially that BAOR Centurion.

CS

 

Tom

Thanks for posting these. Well worth the trip I would say.

Regards - Robert

 

According to the description, this picture is a sectioned 7.5 cm Panther Cannon.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachments/weapons-technology-equipment/17585d1245072520t-visit-deutsche-panzermuseum-munster-100_3073-large-jpg

Regards
Tom

 

I found this rather interesting Twin Cannon monster.
Apparently only two examples were ever made, hardly surprising that the project was dropped.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachments/weapons-technology-equipment/17597d1245072933t-visit-deutsche-panzermuseum-munster-100_3085-large-jpg http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachments/weapons-technology-equipment/17598d1245072987t-visit-deutsche-panzermuseum-munster-100_3086-large-jpg

Mounted Twin 105 mm or Twin 120 mm smooth bore cannons.

This appears to be a great Portal for Military.

Gefechtsfeld-Versuchsträger GVT 04 Walk Around Page 1

Regards
Tom

 

Tom the photos of your visits are always something to look forward to - thank you - that Tiger II is an absolute killer.

PS Have just managed a look at the others the Pz. III , the Panther and the other big girl beside the Tiger II - thanks Tom .

 

James,

I can only imagine it was a very nasty experience to have one of those rocket propelled monster shells falling near to your position.

It looks more menacing than the King Tiger .

Regards
Tom

 

great pics tom.

Love the bikes.

great shot of the sidecar drive on the R75. Split single NSU is far to nice for a forces bike.

 

Very envious Tom. I have been trying to think of some excuses to make it to Munster for some time!!

 

Condition of many of the vehicles is remarkable too. That Panzer IV looks a fearsome peice of kit.

Kev