Germans started the war with the Soviet Union, when the Wehrmacht was not yet armed with medium-heavy tank "Panther".Production of this war machine was deployed in Germany until the end of 1941.Produced tank "Panther" series of mass at Krupp in the 1942-43 year.In all there were about 6 million units.As soon as the production of "Panther" has reached a target level, the tanks began to appear on all European fronts.In 1943, the Battle of Kursk was attended by two hundred tanks "Panther", except emergency and command vehicles.
the autumn of 1941, the Germans realized how dangerous for them T-34 Soviet Army, they sounded the alarm and suspend the release of the tank, the mass off the production line.Within four months, "Panther" and thus perfected was developed almost a new 35-ton tank with the same name.His and launched into a series.The tank "Panther" was created in opposition to the T-34.German designers in something even copied the Soviet T-34, the engine compartment and the main transmission line.But the similarity ends here.In addition, the German tanks to run on gasoline and diesel fuel in the Soviet.
in full combat gear tank "Panther" weighed 45 tons, it was too heavy car, but to reduce her weight was only possible due to the reservation, and it is not decided.All broneliste tower gave inclination to better reflect projectiles direct hit.The length of the tank was 6860 mm, width 3280 mm, height 2990, and the distance from the ground to the case, ie clearance - 565 mm.The gun was almost two meters long.Ammunition consisted of 81 guns armor-piercing projectile, which allowed for a sufficiently long fight.In addition to the gun tank "Panther" was armed with two machine guns.
Powerplant tank consisted of a 12-cylinder 700-horsepower gasoline engine with which the "Panther" was on the highway at a speed of about sixty km / h.Protection of the machine was assembled from rolled armor with contoured surface hardening.Housing tank armor consisted of 40 mm, and the frontal part has a thickness of 60 mm.Tower in the sides of the armor section bore 45 mm, and the forehead of the tower and gun mantlet - 110 mm.Chassis Panthers withstand the weight, and maneuverability was at a fairly good level.However, the crew of 5 people had to put up with a lack of space in the fighting compartment.
In early 1943, the Wehrmacht, it was decided to upgrade the "Panther" with regard to the conditions of the Eastern Front.There was a tank "Panther 2", processing touched mainly tower defense, for which has been greatly enhanced armor.The frontal armor 125 mm thick steel, and the gun mask got armor thickness of 150 mm."Panther 2" began to weigh 47 tons.Weight gain is compensated for the new power plant, a tank installed engine power of 900 hp Maybacheight-transmission and hydraulics.
replacement and cannon was installed 88 mm ICC, a quick-and has a high penetration effect.Also, the machine equipped with night vision devices and telescopic range finder.The company Rheinmetall has proposed to establish a tank with anti-aircraft defense system software.But at this stage of development of a new tank "Panther 2" stopped due to a difficult environment for the German command on all fronts.Although the German tank "Panther" in its original form continued to produce until the end of the war.
