PzKpfw IV Ausf J found in Poland

[Dean]

Awesome, yet again!
~Dean

[bullitt]

Hi Alex

keep us updated of the restoration progress please
check your P/M

ciao
Bullitt

[AlexKG200]

Hi,


I will update this thread soon. Thank you for your patience.


Kind Regards

Alex S

[Vonforhud]

Hi,


I will update this thread soon. Thank you for your patience.


Kind Regards

Alex S

Uhm how soon?

[guns ltd]

great looking project.
Please keep us updated.
thanks for sharing this discovery.
John

[AlexKG200]

Hi,

Sorry for the very late reply. I am in touch with the Museum. Please find attached appeal of The Museum of Polish Arms in Kolobrzeg/ Poland, including info about the reconstruction:

"The Museum of Polish Arms in Kołobrzeg (Poland) has honor to invite Your Company to co-operation in project of Honorable Heritage Protection and the assumption patronage the reconstruction of WWII German tank: Panzerkampfwagen IV ausf. J.
This Tank was extended during rescue action on 19th April 2011 in Stargard Szczecinski (West Pomerania) - on terrain of former airport in Kluczewo, and by the decision of Conservator of Heritage in Szczecin, the tank passed on to our Museum’s gathering. This was unusually organized guided rescue action. By 2 days the employee of museum with huge support of historical societies and the private firms, managed to save the valuable relic of military technique.
Only thanks the accidental discovery, that unique tank was find out on depth 5 meters. The armoured vehicle had been hit in its frontal armor. Sometime after WWII the vehicle was stolen and parted out. As a result later researchers found three separate parts of a hull
Several main TV stations related whole action, bringing large media publicity our museum. Information about retrieval unique tank interested the environment of military history hobbyists and historians in Poland and for border.
Panzer IV is unique in the AFV world – there’s only several objects in museums collection. In Poland is only one so complete tank. In today in polish military collections not possible is look at the most popular German tank from which fought Polish Army.
PzKpfw IV (Panzer IV) one of the most important tanks II world war.
According it was the German general Heinz Guderian who conceived and developed the idea of blitzkrieg warfare where tanks would be the most important element of future battlefields. Due in part to this "new" concept the team of designers at the Krupp plant worked out a tank design which could with the support of infantry open large paths around fortified positions. The early versions were equipped with short 75 mm KwK37 L/24 barreled gun. Early in the war such short barreled tanks were equal to all types of allied tanks. The invasion of the Soviet Union proved a different story when matched against the famous Soviet T-34 tank. The T-34 was a much better design than what the Germans had at this time. The short barrel and low velocity of the KwK37 L/24 of the Ausf.J would be rectified in the appearance of the long barreled 75 mm KwK40 L/43 gun. Along with its armor protection, also upgraded the new model was now a match for its Russian adversary. Researchers also found in Kluczewo, a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf J. This a model along with many subcontractors allowed for its mass production. A turret consisted of manual system instead of electrical. The expensive Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine coating was dropped in favor of new wire-mesh side-skirts. The additional equipment was so called Nahverteidiggungswaffe (the means of direct defense): smoke
grenade launcher etc. The production of ausf J was started in June 1944. By March of 1945 1758 such a type of Pz.Kpfw. IV's left the assembly lines.
We made first step in protecting: tank was cleaned up and painted with anti rust paint. At present all his elements be stored.
First public demonstration of tank took place during XIII Rally of Military Vehicles in Darlowo (23-26 June 2011, West Pomerania). This decision was the good solution. As a result many hobbyists have declared their interest in rebuilding the tank.
We are going to assembly of all reconditioned parts and fabricate any of those elements missing. With the hull assembly together now and all wheels and bogies on, the engine can be placed in it's compartment and tested so the tank can move on it's own power. In order to deal with the further renovation money is essential. The preliminary cost of the reconstruction is ca. 100.000 PLN (30.000 USD)
Such a high cost is beyond capacity of the museum. In these circumstances the Museum looks for donations as well as benefactors and volunteers for this project who are interested in preserving the remnants of the past. The idea of living history is not possible without zeal of hobbyists.
The project: Honorable Heritage Protection is a kind of dialogue between institutions of culture and business. Such an attitude is beneficial for all partners. The museum has an opportunity of providing the basic mission - the protection of the past. The cooperation between these groups gives the opportunity of public relation.
The idea of project consists of participating in costs for both renovation and conservation. The founder receives the title of Honor Heritage Career, additionally a plaque with his/her name will placed on/near the artifact. Another benefit to the Honor is all Access to Museum.
The Sponsor of the reconstruction of Pz.Kpfw. IV receives the exclusive right of using the image of the tank to his/her own promotion campaign. We propose also using our knowledge and rich collection of military equipment for Your Company. We are also open for Yours suggestions.
The Museum of Polish Arms is the one of famous and most respect museum in Poland. We have 50 years experience with the protection of cultural heritage and in the education. Our Museum is the important place of meeting on cultural map for all generations of hobbyist from whole Europe. Our collection consists of unique weaponry from the medieval ages through modern times. The exposition of Polish uniform is the largest among Polish museums.
The patronage over reconstruction of tank Panzer IV this the perfect opportunity to records in the educational aims of process reconstruction the unique tank, which the fates follow the hobbyist of history from whole the world ( like: Brazil, Australia, Japan, USA …). Since beginning of tank’s rescue action, information about next steps of his revitalization be passed on thematic forums, as the War Relics Forum, Forum Odkrywcy, Koło Przyjaciół Muzeum Broni Pancernej, Inne Oblicza Historii…
Nowadays the main exhibition of our museum displays of the Maybach HL120 TRM engine and open gearbox. As a result every visitor can see the heart of the tank. .
We have hope, that with Your support, tank Panzer IV will be soon vital element in the collection of Museum of Polish Arms, and as German vehicle, it will be the counterweight for Soviet armoured vehicles with period of fights on Pomerania in 1945 r.
The Our project of reconstruction of tank is also great chance on recovery the cultural heritage and the restoration to life the history of military.
We warmly invite You to co-operation!
Best Regards
Pawel Pawlowski
Director of Museum
Muzeum Oręża Polskiego w Kołobrzegu
PL 78-100 Kołobrzeg, ul. Armii Krajowej 13
Muzeum Or
muzeum@muzeum.kolobrzeg.pl
tel. +48 94 352 52 53

I'll keep you updated. Will post pics soon, for real this time. Thank you for your patience.
Regards
Alex

[Anzel]

Very interesting find! Check out you tube. There are some great videos of WWII salvage efforts from lakes, rivers, bogs and ect.

[scottnn]

Amazing!

[Thanatos]

Super thread Alex, Thanks for posting mate.
Now that is what I would call the worlds greatest jigsaw puzzle for militaria buffs.

Good luck to the boy's I hope it all works out for them.

All the best
Dave

[AlexKG200]

Hi Guys,

Please find attached pics: the Maybach engine (HL 120 R or HL 120 TRM, sorry, but I'm not sure), transmission ZF Aphon SSG 76, idler wheel, wheels.
Unfortunately, there's no way to run an engine and gearbox. The elements of PzKpfw IV are already on display in the Museum of Polish Arms in Kolobrzeg/ Poland. There is currently one very interesting concept, how to arrange Tank display. Will post more info soon. I'll keep updated

Cheers
Alex