What do Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christoph Waltz, and the PANTHER 6×6 have in common? They are all from Austria and have played successful lead roles in a Hollywood movie.
Can the most successful and best known aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle in the world become even more famous? It can! In 2011, the PANTHER was featured on the silver screen. None other than Hollywood director Michael Bay wanted the Rosenbauer PANTHER to play the leading role of the Sentinel Prime in “Transformers 3 – Dark of the Moon.”
The PANTHER as Autobot Sentinel Prime.
Hollywood Calling
It is a typical work day in the life of sales manager Marty Huffman at Rosenbauer America in Wyoming when the phone rings. On the other end of the line is Michael Bay’s assistant director asking the astounded Rosenbauer employee if the PANTHER would like to appear in the new Transformers movie.
Rosenbauer didn’t take very long to make a decision about this once-in-a-lifetime offer. The firefighting equipment supplier jumped on the opportunity and the PANTHER was on its way to Hollywood.
From Rescuer to Robot
Autobot Sentinel Prime
In the next chapter of this action-packed science fiction series, which is based on the Hasbro toys of the same name, the PANTHER 6×6 takes on the role of an Autobot alongside Hollywood stars like Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Always playing a rescuer in real life, the PANTHER portrays the somewhat dubious Sentinel Prime, who after nearly 50 years of being stranded on the dark side of the moon, after a crash landing returns to Earth to join the fight between Autobots, Decepticons, and humans.
With its trip to Hollywood, the PANTHER lived up to its own legend. It even became famous worldwide among non-firefighters. Beyond the film, the PANTHER has found a place in children’s bedrooms and with action enthusiasts in the form of comics, books, video games, and, of course, the 12-inch tall action figure from Hasbro.
Yet as unforgettable as this adventure into the fantasy world was for everyone … the PANTHER’s main purpose is and will continue to be to serve airports around the world with its extinguishing and rescuing capabilities.
The PANTHER in the real leading role of its life: As an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle.
