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Panzerkampfwagen V bzw.
Panzerkampfwagen Panther (7,5 cm Kw.K. L/70) (Sd. Kfz. 171)
Ausführung D, A & G

 

 

Panther_D_II_PzRgt_3_Ter

 

 

First in 1938, the development of a Panzerkampfwagen - battle tank - which should replace the Panzerkampfwagen III and Panzerkampfwagen IV was started. Late in 1941, the development was nearly finished. Then the troop demanded a vehicle which should be superior to the Soviet T 34 and KW tanks. For this reason, the development was canceled. In the following months, new developments were made. Finally in May 1942, the MAN development was choosen. Until autumn 1942, two prototypes were finished. Serial production of the Ausführung D of the Panzerkampfwagen Panther (7,5 cm Kw.K. L/70) (Sd. Kfz. 171) was started. Until September 1943, altogether 842 exemplars were made, which saw action on the eastern front beginning in July 1943. Due to many mechanical problems, several conversion programms were initiated so that brand new Ausführung D were delivered to the troop until around March 1944.

 

 

 

 

 

Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-244-2321-34,_Ostfront-Süd,_Panzer_V_(Panther)

 

 

Constantly, improvements were implemented into serial production of the Panzerkampfwagen Panther to solve mechanical problems and to simplify production. Beginning in August 1943, the improved Ausführung A entered serial production. The turret was improved and got a new cast commander’s cupola. The machine gun ball mount was introduced in November 1943. Until July 1944, altogether 2,200 vehicles of the Ausführung A were manufactured. (Photo: German federal archive via Wikimedia Commons; License: Creative Commons BY-SA-3.0-gb)

 

 

 

 

 

Panzer_5_Panther_G_Nr_100_I_PzRgt_31_5_PD_im_Kessel_Molodetschno

 

 

With the Ausführung G of the Panzerkampfwagen Panther, a new designed armour hull was introduced. The upper side plates were now steeper and were made from 50 mm armour plates. The lower edge run downwards sloping so that no bend was needed in the rear area. In the following time, many changes were introduced. Beginning in September 1944, the gun mantlet got a cast  on chin to prevent that ricochets could hit the turret ring. Until April 1945, altogether 2,953 Panzerkampfwagen Panther of the Ausführung G were made.

 

 

 

 

 

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