Panther F & G (Late) Steel Wheel question?

Hello All,

I hope you can help answer a question for me concerning the Panther F & G (Late) Steel Wheels. I'm doing some research into the Panther tank and have found some statements that are confusing concerning the steel wheels used on the tank.

Here we go!

1. Thomas Jentz in his book "Panther Tank - Quest For Combat Supremacy" on page 96 says this: 'As revealed by the drawing number (021 D 50204), these roadwheels were originally designed for the Panther II. Except for the hub, these 800mm diameter, steel-tyred roadwheels were exactly the same as those mounted on all Tiger II and Tiger I (Late)'

2. Bruce Crosby says on a website: 'There is always a lot of confusion about Panther wheel types so perhaps a quick run down on them would be in order here. Late Panther Ausf G would have been identical to the standard G except for 860 mm steel tyred (Gummisparende or "rubber saving") wheels. Ausf F would have had the G hull and 860mm steel wheels, with the Schmalturm armed with the 7.5 cm gun. Early and late 860mm Panther wheels were interchangeable on the vehicle and in fact the steel ones were meant to be a direct replacement as the rubber tyred ones wore out. Note the difference in wheel size between the late Panther Ausf G/Panther Ausf F and the Panther II/Tiger pattern, they look just about the same but were 60 mm different in diameter, made from different parts, bearings, etc, and thus were not interchangeable between Panther and Tiger.'

I know that the original wheels on the Panther were 860mm but who's right here?

Thanks!
JD