010

GERMAIMY'S PANTHER TANK

6) in Berlin on 28 and 29 January 1942 and recorded the results of the discussions about their proposed tank design as follows Oberst Fichtner knew that the tracks on our proposed tank were narrower than the track on the tank proposed by M. A N In hisopimon this was a disadvantage. Con-trary to our opinion, Oberst Fichtner's opmion was that tor-sion bars are superior to leaf sprmgs Fichtner stated that using torsion bars allows greater internat hull width.

The rear drive design was thoroughly discussed. Fichtner was agamst it, especially because of foulmg the tracks and the resultmg consequences. On the question of total weight, Fichtner answered that the same specification of 32 to 35 mętne tons was still in effect and had been approved by Hitler. By askmg a senes of questions, all the important design ele-ments were clarified.

Unconditionally, leaf sprmgs are to be preferred over torsion bars. With leaf springs the tank height is about 200 mm lower. an especially important factor m its tactical employ-ment In addition. with leaf sprmgs comphcated shock ab-sorbers are unnecessary. Further, the contact length of our narrower track is longer and therefore the ground pressure is better. When compared to the competition. our tank with the

longer suspension has improved performance when roli over uneven ter ram. Crossing trenches. and climbino tS stacles.    ^y °°-

Employment of the rear drive provides additional cm space and also a better stopę to the hull front armor, which* especially important m preventmg penetration of armor _D,J^S mg shells lf no option is possible for the choice of motor design also allows the mstallation of the May bach m₀t However. m base prmciple. only our MB 507 and MB sni motors will be proposed.    ^U3

In regard to the turret. our specialists (and Dr. Todtl jecttheM.A N turret. Only the OKH-Einheitsturm (army$tan dard turret) is acceptable for our tank.    ^{y dn}'

Direktor Dr Kissel explained that under the present c cumstances cooperation betvseen the two firms. Datmler-Be * and M.A.N.. was not beneficial. He emphasized that euenf thing that is expected in meeting the design requirement derived from expenence on the Eastern Front, is beino m by the Daimler-Benz design. Dr. Kissel also declared th* under the condition that the Daimler-Benz design be selecter! he was ready to earn the award by completing the destan' Daimler-Benz own expense.    ^{y at}

M A N. mcluded Drawmg No. Tu 16901 of the VK 30.02 (M) mit Rhm-Turm 7,5 KwK dated 2 May 1942 as part of their written proposal. The special commission considered this design to be superior to the Daimler-Benz proposal and recommended that the M A N. design be accepted for production.

CHAPTER 1; DESIGN

Reichsmimster Dr Todt agreed that cooperation between M A N and Daimler-Benz could cease. so that both f,rms could mdependently complete separate designs Since there was no longer any point to it. the meeting between the Heereswaffenamt and the firms of M.A.N. and Daimler-Benz scheduled for Monday. 2 February 1942, was canceled It was decided that Daimler-Benz would first comniet* twe VK 30.01 tanks. one with an MB 507 diesel motor one with an MB 503 gasolme motor and three with May bach HL 210 motors. Daimler-Benz plans to complete their first ex-penmental VK 30.01 by the end of June 1942 directlv fol lowed by the other four.    ' ^y

On 2 February 1942. Dr. Kissel wrote Direktor Werlin (Daimler-Benz in Mumch) Assuredly. you will greatly enioy hearrng that it was possible for me to convince the Reichsmimster that a decision in favor of our new proposed tank is the correct one. When this decision is reached the gentlemen from both the Heereswaffenamt (Army Ordnance Department) and M.A.N. will indeed be astonished

Wiebicke and Reif (M.A.N) reported on a meeting held m Berlin on 3 February 1942 with Wa Pruef 6 (Oberst Fichtner Oberstlt von Wilcke. Major Crohn. and Oberbaurat Kniep-kamp): As we arnved at the Heereswaffenamt. we were in-formed that the meeting (with Daimler-Benz) had been canceled. In the meantime. Dr. Kissel and Werlin from Daimler-Benz had convmced Minister Todt that the Daimler-Benz proposal be allowed to progress without modification. Kmepkamp was very put out over this matter. We were later mformed by Oberst Fichtner. that this only applied to Daimler-Benz com-pletmg several experimental vehicles. As before. Wa Pruef 6 constructiyely discussed our proposal m detail On Tuesday evenmg. Oberst Fichtner informed us that after further dis-cussions. Dr. Todt had ordered senes production.

Durmg this meeting on 3 February 1942, Wa Pruef 6 had reviewed and approved the preliminary design from M A N and provided input on further details. Both M A N and Daimler-Benz submitted proposals for finał approval that was to be determined following presentation m Berlin on 3 March 1942

Dr Todt had been killed in a piane crash in February 1942 and was succeeded as Reichsmmister by Albert Speer On 5 March 1942. Speer reported On my recommendation. Hitler ordered that contracts be awarded for any preparations nec-essary to develop a senes of Daimler-Benz Panzers and to give Daimler-Benz a contract for production of a series of 200 Hitler considered the Daimler-Benz Panther to be superior to the M.A.N. Panther. Considering the yarious differences m design, Hitler believed that in almost all cases the advan-tage could be given to Daimler-Benz

Aspecial commission, consisting of Oberst Thomale (In 6) and Professor Dr -Ing von Eberan (Techmsche Hochschule Dresden), was appointed by Hitler to review the proposals and recommend which Panther design should go into production Both M A N and Daimler-Benz prepared drawmgs and provided detailed descriptions of the following charac-teristics

AND DEUELOPMENT

Oeslgnatlon

tA.AH.

VK 30.02 (M)

Armament:

PalmiorBenj VK 30.01 (O)

7 5 cm Kw K U70 and two M G 34 79 rounds

Ammunition Stowage:

7 5 cm KwK 1770 ano rwo M G 34 79 rounds

Armor (Tmckness and Angle from Vert.cal)

Turret Roof ' .
Turret Front Hull Roof	ib mm @ 85-90' 80 mm® 12®
Glacis	16 mm @ 90’
lower Hull Nose 8ottom	60 mm @ 55® 60 mm @ 55®
	16 mm @ 90®
Turret S:dn
Superstructure Side Hull Side	45 mm @ 25' 40 mm @ 40‘
	40 mm @ 0®
Turret Rear ___
Hull Rear	45 mm ® 25" 40 mm @ 30®
Automotive Capabilities:
Sustamed Speed Road:	40 km/hr
Max<mum Speed	55.8 km/hr
Fuel Capacity	750 liters
Cruismg Rangę Road	270 km
Grade	35’
Step:	0.826 cm
Motor	Maybach HL 230
HP/Weight Raiło:	700 metric HP 20 HP/ton
Dnve location:	Front drive
Transmission:	AK 7/200
Steermg:	Shift by hand Clutch-brake or
Suspension:	Singleradius 8 inter!eaved
Measurements: Overall Length:	860 mm road-wheels twin torsion bars 8.625 m
Overall Width.	3 270 m
Overall Height:	2.885 m
Ground Clearance:	0.500 m
Combat Loaded:	35 metric tons
Track Width:	0.660 m
Track Contact Length:	3 920 m
Ground Pressuro:	0.68 kg/cm2

16 mm ® 90' 80 mm ® 30’ 16 mm @ 90' 60 mm @ 55‘ 60 mm @ 55^v 16mm@90^v

45 mm @ 30’ 40 mm @ 40’ 40 mm @ 0®

45 mm @ 30' 50 mm @ 25“

40 km/hr 56 km/hr 550 liters 195 km 40®

0.730

Maybach HL 230 700 mętne HP 20 HP/ton Rear dnve KSG 8/200 Hydraulic assist Clutch-brake

4 pairs of 900 mm road-wheels leaf sprmgs

9.015 m 3 280 m 2.690 m 0.530 m 35 mętne tons 0.540 m 3.920 m 0 83 kg/cm2

17