How much is a panzer?

[Hammers]

Does anyone know? A very high proportion of the existing German tanks were scrapped or used in research after the war so there are not many in circulation.

Which also makes me wonder, authentic looking tanks in films like Saving Private Ryan, are they all replicas?

[Calimero]

I know that the Tiger tanks in SPR was a mock-up build on a Russian tank chassis… can’t help you for other films/series though

[Argonor]

I sense the beginnings of a cunning evil ploy leading to swedish world domination, here... NO, I tell you - we want our beer!!! 

[Hammers]

I sense the beginnings of a cunning evil ploy leading to swedish world domination, here... NO, I tell you - we want our beer!!! 

If there ever was a country which could be tagged 'Mostly Harmless',  it is us. All you have to fear from us is a limp hand shake.

[former user]

and Music by ABBA 

I read about Russian workshops that dig out old tanks from rivers and marshes, renovate and sell them
there's a lot rotting around there

[Westfalia Chris]

I know that the Tiger tanks in SPR was a mock-up build on a Russian tank chassis… can’t help you for other films/series though

That's right; some of the others were Swiss "Hetzer" chassis retrofitted to look like Marders, I think. For Band of Brothers, they mocked up StuGs by chopping old FV432s in two and adding a section with a sixth roadwheel, then adding a new superstructure. Very well done, those.

As for purchasing WW2 tanks, it depends on the model. As one would think, German tanks would be amongst the most expensive, for the reasons given above, and very rare. American Shermans are more plentiful, although I think there are more of the upgunned 76 variants than the original 75ers. Remember that Brazil (?) used those until the 1980s. Similar thing for T-34s, the /85 was very numerous, and I think you can get them from Russian stockpiles (depending on your wallet and your country's laws).

I guess it's easiest to get post-war armoured cars.

[Doc Twilight]

There's a WW2 reenacting unit here in California, Hammers, which purchased a T-34/85 from Russia, intact, with a 1944 construction date, for 5,000 dollars us. Of course, part of the deal was that they had to foot the bill for the shipping, but it was quite a steal.
A few years ago, there was a private gentleman on Guam who had access to two Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks (Japanese). He was offering them at the AFV trader site as is for 9,000 dollars each.

More practically, there are a few companies here in the US that make fiberglass mockups of armored vehicles for semi-reasonable prices. I know that some of the reenacting groups on the East Coast have Tigers, Panthers, and at least one Puma. Another company was selling complete buildups of "kit car" BA-64s - 10,000 dollars each. Could install an air conditioning unit, stereo, etc, if you wanted;)

As I understand it, Hetzers are the easiest of the German vehicles to find, since they had a long post-war shelflife and were used until the 1970s in some countries. Hell, the Mexicans were still using their Stuarts to suppress the Zapatistas in the late 90s.

-Doc

[Westfalia Chris]

Another company was selling complete buildups of "kit car" BA-64s - 10,000 dollars each. Could install an air conditioning unit, stereo, etc, if you wanted;)

Bourgeois luxuries.

[Doc Twilight]

Bourgeois luxuries.

HAH;)

Actually, being an armored vehicle crewman at a reenactment is pretty sweet. Everybody wants you to be at his event, and if you're willing to get the thing dirty, it can be a real blast. Especially with air conditioning;)

I still want to build a CV33 and go tooling around some Eastern Front event shouting epithets in Italian;)

-Doc

[Westfalia Chris]

I still want to build a CV33 and go tooling around some Eastern Front event shouting epithets in Italian;)

So that means you'll be wearing out the reverse gear really quickly?

[Hammers]

So that means you'll be wearing out the reverse gear really quickly?

I notice they were used in China by the nationalists. Interesting. 1/56 scale, anyone?

[Cosmotiger]

I've seen pictures of German halftracks and some of the early war tanks that are owned and operated by private collectors, but I don't recall seeing any of the big late-war German tank like Panthers or King Tigers in private hands.  There could be some around, but they seem to have mainly survived in museums.

[Westfalia Chris]

I've seen pictures of German halftracks and some of the early war tanks that are owned and operated by private collectors, but I don't recall seeing any of the big late-war German tank like Panthers or King Tigers in private hands.  There could be some around, but they seem to have mainly survived in museums.

Most of the "half-track APCs" around nowadays are in fact Czech post-war OT-810 models, which are then re-modelled to look more like WW2 halftracks (i.e. by removing the closed roof and possibly modifying the hull sides). Half-track tractors (of all sizes) are usually authentic and highly-prized, from what I know.

[Calimero]

IIRC there was a (very, very) short article in White Dwarf that mentioned that the Perry Brothers had bought a Sherman tank… Anyone know if there is any truth in that?

[Aeneas]

I notice they were used in China by the nationalists. Interesting. 1/56 scale, anyone?

http://www.forceofarms.co.uk/

Empress also has a CV 35.