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GERMAI\1Y‘S PANTHER TANK

Acutaway view showmg the internal layout drawn from one of two Ausf.G Panthers (Fgst.Nr 120360 or 120404 completed by M.A.N. May and June 1944) captured and transported to England for study

as the Ausf.G, it was referred to as the Panther with entzwickelte hull

Unlike the transition from the Ausf.D to the Ausf.A. which occurred in a short time, the transition from the Ausf.A to Ausf.G was staggered at two month mtervals across the three assembly firms M A.N . Daimler-Benz and MNH Bemg the first to convert to Ausf.G production. on 3 April 1944. M.A.N reported that test runs had been completed for the Panthers with entzwickelte hulls produced in March. From these tests. no significant problems were expected to occur in the production series.

A production Schedule for the Panther-Programm dated 26 October 1944 showed how long the Ausf.G was to remain in production before the transition to the Ausf.F with Schmalturm (narrow turret) production. Includmg those to be produced in October, 2650 Ausf.G Panthers with the old turret (930 from M.A.N.. 830 from Daimler-Benz and 830 from MNH) were scheduled as follows before the new Panther with Schmalturm was introduced

	M.A.N.	D.B.	M.N.H.	TOTAL
Od44	70	100	100	270
Nov44	100	120	100	320
Dec44	140	140	100	380
Jan45	160	160	110	430
Feb45	160	160	130	450
Mar45	160	110	130	400
Apr45	140	40	130	310
May45	0	0	90	90
Jun45	0	0	0	0
Total:	930	830	890	2650

However, due to interferences caused by bombing raids as well as delays in completing the new fire control equip-ment, as shown in Table 5.2. all three of the assembly firms continued with Ausf.G production until they were occupied at the end of the war.

Month	TABLE 5.2: PANTHER AUSFUEHRUNG G PRODUCTION M.A.N. D.B. M.N.H. No. Fgst.Nr. No. Fgst.Nr. No.					Fgst.Nr.
Mar44	2	120302
Apr44	105	120407
May44	125	120532	78	124378
Jun44	130	120662	120	124498
Jul44	135	120797	125	124623	108	128408
Aug44	155	120952	70	124693	131	128539
Sep44	140	121092	80	124773	120	128659
Oct44	78	121170	100	124873	96	128755
Nov44	103	121273	115	124988	100	128855
Dec44	100	121373	105	125093	80	128935
Jan45	20	121393	109	125202	80	129015
Feb45	22	121415	41	125243	65	129080
Mar45	8	121423	32	125275	26	129106
Apr45	20	121443	29	125304
Total:	1143		1004		806

5 3 MODlFIpATIONS INTRODUCED DURING PRODUCTION

A comprehensive report on modifications to the Panther Ausf.G published in November 1944 and a record of corre-spondence between MNH and the Waffenamt on Panther modifications are the main sources of Information. While the comprehensive report specified the official Waffenamt ver-sion of when each modification was introduced. the MNH records revealed the delays that frequently occurred in ac-tual implementation of the ordered changes. These reports were verified and expanded upon by thorough investigation of survivmg Panther Ausf.Gs and photographs of Ausf.Gs iden-tified by their Fgst.Nr.

The modifications are listed in the chronological order in which the changes are first reported to have been present on completed Panthers leaving the assembly plant. Due to the numerous suppliers of major and minor components. each assembly firm would have initiated changes at slightly differ-ent times.

53 1 OUABPSEOB E&MAU5IB1EES

cast armor guards Starting in June 1944. sheet metal covers were introduced surrounding the sides of the exhaust pipes to hide the glow given off at mght by heated exhaust pipes.

5 3.2 SOCKETS FOR 2 TON JIB BOOM

Starting in June 1944. a Behelfskran 2t (jib boom) was is-sued to the troops to aid in tank repairs This Behelfskran was mounted on three Pllze (sockets). one Ausfuehrung l and two Ausfuehrung II. welded to the turret roof. The Behelfskran 2t could be used to lift the rear decking. motor, and transmission with steering gear from the vehtcle on which it was mounted or to lift components from an adjacent ve-hicle.

5.3 3 HANDLE ON THE ACCESS HATCH IN TURRET REAR

Starting in June 1944. a handle was welded to the outside of the rear turret hatch in response to complaints that this hatch couldn’t be opened from the outside and didn’t seat properly when closed.

Starting m May 1944. the exhaust pipę penetrations in the huil rear were protected by welded armor guards. replacing

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