World War Photos

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The best German medium tank during World War II was the Panzer V Panther. The beginnings of a stunning career were not encouraging. During the baptism of combat at the Battle of Kursk from 204 used Panther ~150 were lost, mostly because of the failure of the drive and motor (50 not even communed to the battlefield). However battles have shown that Panther has high-quality protection armor and weaponry. After eliminating manufacturing defects, Panther has quickly become a danger opponent for the Allied armored forces.
The idea of building a new medium tank Panther came up in 25th November 1941 year. It happened due to fear waking reports that were coming from the east front. On the eastern front the German crew with tanks Panther III and IV encountered tanks KW-1 and T-34, which were exceeding German armored vehicles in terms of armor and weapons. Originally was idea to copy T-34 tank, which was ultimately rejected. Special commission was sent, which got known Soviet tanks. On the basis of the committee’s report requirements for the new tank were defined. Engine tank was to have the power of 650-700hp, armor would be 40 mm and the speed of 55 km/h. The first project was developed by Daimler-Benz (VK 3002). However, it was rejected due to too big similarity to the T-34 . The second project was developed by MAN. For the first time in a German tank was used armor plates welded with an angle of 50 degrees. Chassis was consisted of a large-diameter wheels overlapping on each other. Tank weighing 35t, his maximum speed was 55 km/h and was armed with a 7,5 cm gun KwK 42 L/70. As the drive unit was selected Maybach engine HL 210 P45 witch had 654hp. Serial production was to be carried out in: MAN, DB, Henschel and MNH plants. Series production started in June 1942. It was planned that till May 1943 about 250 tanks will be built. The first mass- produced version was the version ausf. D. Tanks in this version had thickened up to 80 mm armor and a more powerful engine Maybach 230 P30 with 700 hp. Tanks produced in the second half of 1943 were equipped with armored sheet that protected chassis. The tanks also had a new type of commander cupola, equipped with seven periscopes. There was also fixing bracket on the tower for MG34 so-called “Fligerbeschussgerat”, which allowed shoot the airplanes. The second mass- produced version was the ausf A version. The tanks were manufactured since September 1943 till March 1944. Spherical mounting bracket for MG34 was installed (in tanks version D MG was extendible ) and hole to eject shells was cancel. Panther ausf G was most numerous produced version. From March 1944 till January 1945 3740 tanks were produced. Angle of the hull armor plates was increased to 61 degrees and armor thickness was increased to 50 mm. The driver received one rotating periscope instead of two motionless. Part PzKpfw V “Panther” Ausf G tank were equipped with wheels entirely made from steel. Shape of the mantlet was modified to prevent turret jamming as a result of enemy fire.
Total production: ~6000 tanks. Gun: 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70. Max armor: 120 mm.