re: Vader’s Model Desk: Sd.kfz 171 Pzkpfw V Panther Ausf. G

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What was the purpose of the rough areas on the turret and front? Deflect light to make it harder to see while waiting in ambush perhaps.

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That is a coating applied to vehicles the Germans called “Zimmerit”. Its purpose was to prevent enemy infantry from attaching magnetic mines to the vehicle. It was applied to German armored vehicles from mid-43 until mid to late ‘44 when the Germans realized the Allies really were not using magnetic mines.

Zimmerit was a hand applied coating that when dried would not allow magnetic anti tank weapons be attached to the tank by infantry. Strange factoid: the Germans were the largest user of magnetic anti tank weapons.