The Pz Kpfw Panther was the first true main battle tank of the German army. The combination of a powerful tank gun, well-sloped armour and good mobility made the Panther one of Germany's most succesful late-war tanks. It was, however, more unreliable than the Pz Kpfw IV, a problem which was not fully fixed before the war ended.
The Panther fought on every front from 1943 until the end of the war. After the war, France used post-war build Panthers to arm one of their armoured regiments.
Pz Kpfw Panther | |
---|---|
Crew | |
Crew | 5 |
Physical Characteristics | |
Weight | 45.5 t |
Length | 6.88 m |
Width | 3.4 m |
Height | 2.98 m |
Armour | |
Armour (max) | 110 mm |
Performance | |
Speed (max) | 46 km/h |
Engine | |
Engine | Maybach HL 230 P30 |
Net h.p. | 600 |
Cylinders | 12 |
Displacement | 23000 cc |
Armament | |
Primary weapon | 7,5 cm Kw K 42 (L/70) (1) |
Secondary weapon | 7,92 mm MG 34 (3) |