Panther G Tracks

According to page 83 of Germany's Panther Tank, Ausf A's and G's have the same tracks and drive sprockets, although starting in October 1944, the G has a new, larger, 650mm self-cleaning idler wheel.
There is one really poor photo on page 63 of Concord's Panther, showing the triple IR light/image converter. This is known as Solution B and used older, reworked model D's and early A's, due to the large drivers visor flap made it easy to mount a IR receiver there. Solution B appears to be a very late war "sophisticated improvisation". "The layout of Ausf G's and late Ausf A's did not allow for providing the gunner with image converters without changes to the basic MBT's design." There is no information in either of these two books that a 3 light Solution B set-up was ever used on a Ausf G.

Steve, I would say that if the pitch and number of teeth on the drive sprocket are the same then go right ahead. The wonderful thing about armor is almost anything goes. I doubt very seriously that there was NEVER a case of an earlier track being fitted to a late vehicle unless it physically wouldn't fit.

As far as the IR. This is a somewhat touchy subject in many circles. Many people I have read and talked to agree that with the fact that there were not an abundance of IR rigs that most tanks would have had one the commanders cupola and thats it. If I remember right there was a rudamentary sighting system on it to help the commander give directions to the gunner. He could also give the driver directions as well. Do a google search on this There is a lot of information out there on the IR systems and their use Sorry i couldn't be more definitive...

as long as you use a "late " set of panther tracks you should be safe , early sets may not fit the late versions , and ausf d tracks definately will not fit .

regarding the scopes ,..... at least one unit was issued panther G with scopes , these were night fighting panthers , fighting mostly against the russian advance on berlin . this unit is pretty well known ,...... here is a quote from missing linx from Mirko Bayerl , Panther nr 122 was commanded by Feldwebel Hoffmann. It first saw action with the IR-equipment between Gusow and Seelow (east of Berlin) around april 1945. It is hard to confirm total succsess,but indeed many Russian tanks and AT guns were destroyed that night by the unit. All in all there were 10 Panthers in a IR-company, supported by 3 UHU and Falke SPW,s (zug.Lt Draeger,Company Hptm.Steuer).This unit 1./29 (Pz.Div Müncheberg) was commanded by Oberlt.Rasim. On the engine deck there were two Grenadiers with IR-MP.44 (Z.G.1229) to protect the commander and the vehicle during the night.After the first night action with IR the 1./29 never saw action again as a whole unit. One Panther (121) saw light action in the center of Berlin.

Panther 122 was destroyed and knocked out east of Berlin in late April. The crew survived but the commander lost his arm and the others were lightly wounded. In this area was also other units (company) with IR Panther in action. There is some speculation why the Russians used the big searchlight around Seelow heights -it is liekly because they knew that the Germans used IR in this area and the IR Panther would not operate succsessful under such circumstanses.The IR panther was also "blind" in rain,fullmoon,fog etc .
here is the link to his awesome IR panther G http://missing-lynx.com/gallery/german/panther_ausf_g_bayer/panther_ausf_g_bayer.htm definately check this one out , it is fantastic work !