Finds in the GARBAGE!

[GIZMO8Z]

The tank is a Panzer III but the turet is almost destroyed and the barrel is not visible, so it can be almost any type panzer III
The plane might be a Junckers JU-188. The tail section is a good hint.
Hope this helps,
Steven

Thanks for the response! I'm wondering if the Panzer III had it's turret blown off, or if it's an anti-air variant?

[WW2Hunter]

There were no AA Panzer III's, all AA type panzer were made from the Panzer IV chassis.

Cheers,
Steven

[big ned]

I'm pretty sure the aircraft is a Ju-88 G series heavy night fighter. The tail looks right as does the remains of the starboard engine. The camoflague appears to be dark grey on light grey which is correct for this type. here's an example with a similar type paint but different pattern.

Regards, Ned.

[ToxicGas]

It looks like Ned is correct to me. Nice new haul there, especially the photos.

Mat

[WW2Hunter]

I'm pretty sure the aircraft is a Ju-88 G series heavy night fighter. The tail looks right as does the remains of the port engine. The camoflague appears to be dark grey on light grey which is correct for this type. here's an example with a similar type paint but different pattern.

Regards, Ned.

Hey Ned,
that's also a possibillity but I don't know if we can be sure of either model, there is only one big difference between the Ju-88 G6 and the Ju-188 and that's the cocpit.
But that's the part that is missing

[big ned]

There were no AA Panzer III's, all AA type panzer were made from the Panzer IV chassis.

Cheers,
Steven

Steven is correct. The PzIV anti aircraft tank was called the 'Wiirblewind' (Whirlwind) and was four 20mm AA guns in an open topped turret fitted onto the IV chassis, it entered service in 1944.

If you magnify the photo of the PzIII, you can see that the turret has turned about 120 degrees to the left. The gun, mantlet and side turret armour have been blown completely away leaving the gun mount showing. The commanders cupola is also still in position. Note that the emergency escape hatch below the 1st and 2nd track rollers is open. As this can only open from the inside, it indicates that at least some of the crew probably managed to bail out of the stricken tank.

Regards, Ned.

[big ned]

Hey Ned,
that's also a possibillity but I don't know if we can be sure of either model, there is only one big difference between the Ju-88 G6 and the Ju-188 and that's the cocpit.
But that's the part that is missing

I know what you mean Steven, thats why I said 'G series' as there are around 7 or 8 different nightfigter variants and within the limits of Gizmo's pic, it's almost impossible to acurately pin down. Having said that, I'm convinced that the a/c is a nightfighter due to the type of camoflague applied to it.

Regards, Ned.

[CARL]

Nice photos, thanks for sharing. The Wiirblewind was one of many variants the Germans produced as the war went from bad to worse. The design and manufacturing process sped up with regards to the production and output of defensive weapons, whereas earlier in the war the concentration was focused more towards offensive weapons.

Good work too Ned, well done!

Regards,

Carl

[GIZMO8Z]

Steven is correct. The PzIV anti aircraft tank was called the 'Wiirblewind' (Whirlwind) and was four 20mm AA guns in an open topped turret fitted onto the IV chassis, it entered service in 1944.

If you magnify the photo of the PzIII, you can see that the turret has turned about 120 degrees to the left. The gun, mantlet and side turret armour have been blown completely away leaving the gun mount showing. The commanders cupola is also still in position. Note that the emergency escape hatch below the 1st and 2nd track rollers is open. As this can only open from the inside, it indicates that at least some of the crew probably managed to bail out of the stricken tank.

Regards, Ned.

Awesome! Thanks for the detail!

[GIZMO8Z]

within the limits of Gizmo's pic

Is there anything I can do to improve this? Or are you talking about the quality of the photo itself that Pvt. Parks took nearly 70yrs ago?