Tiger tank factory... (1 Viewer)

[Capitolron]

Why does a German Defense contractor need an American lobbyist ?

Well actually - KMW has an American Company and is an important sub-contractor on many US Military Programs.

I represent the Company and coordinate Washington Operations (information, public & government relations, business partnerships) with other Prime Contractors - as we all develop better weapons and technology for our US Troops and NATO.

KMW - is the largest armor weapons system provider to NATO and is actively involved with 30 other Allied Nations around the world.

 

[GJB22]

Speaking of the King Tiger being cut open, one of the Aberdeen Panthers has a metal plate welded to the side of its turret. I'm assuming it was cut open for display purposes as well, but has since been sealed back up. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[amhuff1]

Speaking of the King Tiger being cut open, one of the Aberdeen Panthers has a metal plate welded to the side of its turret. I'm assuming it was cut open for display purposes as well, but has since been sealed back up. Anyone know anything about this?

Many of the tanks that are on display have plates covering damage from either testing by the allies or battle damage. I noticed that years ago when my dad took me there on a trip when I was about 12. I have all of the pictures from that trip. It is sad now to look at them because many of the tanks are now gone. It is also sad because the weather has done damage to all of the outside displays. I know years ago they had a fundraiser to build a new museum to house most of the tanks indoors. I believe that Aberdeen is closing now so I guess that the tanks will be moved elsewhere.

 

[amhuff1]

The TURRETS for the Tiger were made by a German Company called: Wegmann in Kassel during WWII.

Wegmann is the "W" in my client's company initials : KMW

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann

Our KMW plant is still in the same site at Kassel, Germany - since WWII. The plant has a large bomb proof bunker surrounding it still today where the TIGER Terrets were produced when the Allies started to Bomb Kassel. Really amazing factory - lots of history in the town as well.

If you are interested in KMW - here is their website: http://www.kmweg.de/gb/index.php

Ron

Ron
Have you been to Germany to see the plant?

 

[binder001]

Speaking of the King Tiger being cut open, one of the Aberdeen Panthers has a metal plate welded to the side of its turret. I'm assuming it was cut open for display purposes as well, but has since been sealed back up. Anyone know anything about this?

Might also have been used as a target. Back when German tanks were just excess steel, the Army would use hulks for weapons testing

See; http://images.google.com/hosted/lif...0&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&imgurl=095ce8dc405865d2

It's a Panther being used to test the new 3.5" bazooka at APG in July of 1950.

Gary

 

[tdubel]

Sorry to report but was at Aberdeen a couple of years ago and most of the tanks are gone. I have pictures from when I went about 20 years ago and saw a Tiger, Tiger 2, Jagdtiger, Panther,etc. etc. .....not sure where they ended up but not at Aberdeen anymore.

Are you sure, there are still a lot there including the Jagdtiger. They had moved a lot when they built the concrete platforms after a lot of the tanks were sinking into the ground. I grew up in Churchville and my stepdad was/is a ballistics chief there, I will ask him as he is an armor nut and keeps up with that stuff. I know about the Tiger, I didn't know there ever was a Tiger 2 there?

Anyhow, I would love to see your pictures from 20 ago, that was when I was a kid too and I can't find my photos. Maybe you can scan me a few, I would love to see them.

One of the shames I have always thought about this museum, is they never (to my knowledge) did a full photo guide of the pieces in the collection over the years, would have been pretty cool.

Tom

 

[tdubel]

Are you sure, there are still a lot there including the Jagdtiger. They had moved a lot when they built the concrete platforms after a lot of the tanks were sinking into the ground. I grew up in Churchville and my stepdad was/is a ballistics chief there, I will ask him as he is an armor nut and keeps up with that stuff. I know about the Tiger, I didn't know there ever was a Tiger 2 there?

Anyhow, I would love to see your pictures from 20 ago, that was when I was a kid too and I can't find my photos. Maybe you can scan me a few, I would love to see them.

One of the shames I have always thought about this museum, is they never (to my knowledge) did a full photo guide of the pieces in the collection over the years, would have been pretty cool.

Tom

Update, I spoke with Bruce (my stepdad) today and he said yes, the Tiger 2 was still there to his knowledge, he works next week and he is going to inquire to see if any (other than the Tiger 1) have moved, etc. As far as he knows, they are still on post. I know that they moved some to make a tank row awhile ago. I will report back, I am also going to be making a visit there shortly.

Tom

 

[GJB22]

Where exactly are they moving the museum to? Out of MD? And if they are, how will they move Leopold, the rail gun?

 

[Capitolron]

Amhuff

Yes - actually got to look at the "bunker factories" - very cool

The front entrance of the KMW factory in Kassel is the old WWII entrance still left from all the bombings.

 

[binder001]

Where exactly are they moving the museum to? Out of MD? And if they are, how will they move Leopold, the rail gun?

1) see;

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1286340

2) veerrryyy carefully (we hope)

Gary B

 

[GJB22]

Thanks Binder, VA isnt to far for me, and it'll be nice to see the tanks restored and indoors. I still plan to go up there again once the weather stays nice, seeing as most of the tanks are still there.