056

GERMANYS PANTHER TANK

Above and opposite above A Versuchs-Schmalturm (experimental narrow turret) mounted on a Panther Ausf.G chassis manufactured for Wa Pruef 6 (no tool or equipment stowage) These photographs dated 20 August 1944 reveal that expenmental work had proceeded on the Schmalturm at a much earlier datę than previously thought An aperture for a “monocular" gun sight (not the binocular T.2.F.13) has been dnlled in the turret front A periscopic gun sight is mounted in the left front turret roof. The redesigned commander's cupola had a hole for extendmg the T.S.R.1 observation periscope without openmg the hatch. (BA)

Turret traverse lock	71009	50270
Pistol port conical pług	71010	N/A
Sight mount	71011	50273
Rangę finder mount	71012	N/A
Machinegun mount	71013	48865
Llnkage to fire the machinegun	71014	48966
Exhaust fan	71015	48979
Commander’s seat	71016	48987
Gunner's seat	71017	50284
Electrical equipment	71020	48995
Tool and equipment stowage	71021	50296
Anti-aircraft machinegun mount	71022
Sighting ring for the commander	71023	N/A
Nahverteidigungswaffe	7658	7658
External travel lock for gun	48972	48972
Footpedals for hydraulic traverse	N/A	50266
Loaders periscope on turret roof	N/A	50279
Compressor on turret platform	N/A	50280

6 11 ARMOR PROTECTION

The changes between the Ausf.G and the Ausf.F included increasing the thickness of the hull roof as well as increasing the armor protection for the turret:

Location	Ausf.F	Ausf.G
Turret Roof (fore)	40 mm @ 90°	16	mm	@	5.50
Turret Roof (aft)	40 mm @ 90°	16	mm	@	90°
Gun Mantlet	150 mm pot	100 mm curved
Turret Front	120 mm @ 20°	100 mm @ 12°
Hull Roof (fore)	40-25 mm @ 90° 40		•16 mm		@900
Hull Roof (aft)	16 mm @ 90°	16	mm	@	900
Glacis Platę	80 mm @ 55°	80	mm	@	55°
Front Lower Hull	50 mm @ 55°	50	mm	@	55°
Belly (fore)	25 mm @ 90°	25	mm	@	90°
Belly (aft)	16 mm @ 90°	16	mm	@	90«
Turret Side	60 mm @ 25°	45	mm	@	250
Panmer Side	50 mm @ 30°	50	mm	@	30°
Hull Side	40 mm @ 0°	40	mm	@	0°
Turret Rear	60 mm @ 25°	45	mm	@	250
Hull Rear	40 mm @ 30°	40	mm	@	300

CHARTER 6: PANTHER AUSF.F

A second Versuchs-Schmolturm mounted on a Panther Ausf G chassis The chassis (Fgsi Nr 120413) was completed by M A N lor _ssue to the troops in early May 1944 No hole is evident for a teloscopic gun sight in the turret Iront. only a penscopo projeclmg through the turret roof The sheot metal debris guard covoring the gap betwoon the gun mantlet and the turret front had not beon weldod on

WJS)

109