004

Book Design by Robert Biondi

Copyright © 1995 by Thomas L Jentz library of Congress Catalog Number: 95-67714

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CONTENTS

Introduction

CHAPTER 1: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

1.1    Predecessors.........................................................................................................................³

1.2    VK 30 Series........................................................................................................................¹⁴

CHAPTER 2: PANTHER AUSF.D.......................................................................................................²³

2.1    Description...........................................................................................................................23

2.2    Production............................................................................................................................28

2.3    Modifications Introduced During    Production........................................................................28

2.4    Modifications After Issue to the Troops................................................................................⁴⁷

CHAPTER 3: PANTHER II..................................................................................................................50

3.1    Development........................................................................................................................50

3.2    Production............................................................................................................................52

CHAPTER 4: PANTHER AUSF.A.......................................................................................................56

4.1    Changes when Compared to the Ausf.D..............................................................................56

4.2    Production............................................................................................................................60

4.3    Modifications Introduced During    Production........................................................................61

4.4    Modifications After Issue to the Troops................................................................................82

CHAPTER 5: PANTHER AUSF.G.......................................................................................................83

5.1    Changes when Compared to the Ausf .A.............................................................................. 83

5.2    Production............................................................................................................................86

5.3    Modifications Introduced During Production........................................................................89

5.4    Modifications After Issue to the Troops..............................................................................102

CHAPTER 6: PANTHER AUSF.F.....................................................................................................103

6.1    Changes when Compared to the Ausf.G...........................................................................103

6.2    Production..........................................................................................................................113

CHAPTER 7: 8.8 CM PANTHER-SCHMALTURM AND OTHER FANTASIES.................................114

7.1    8.8 cm Kw.K.43 L/71 in a    Modified    Panther-Schmalturm...................................................114

7.2    Maybach HL 234 Motor......................................................................................................115

7.3    Minę Clearing Flail.............................................................................................................115

CHAPTER 8: PRODUCTION HISTORY...........................................................................................118

CHAPTER 9: OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS.......................................................................124

9.1    Firepower...........................................................................................................................¹²4

9.2    Mobility...............................................................................................................................¹²7

9.3    Survivability on the Battlefield............................................................................................¹²7

CHAPTER 10: OPERATIONAL HISTORY.......................................................................................¹³³

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

First Action at Kursk during Operation “Zitadelle"..............................................................}³⁰

Panther-Abteilungen on the Eastern Front........................................................................¹³⁴

147

Panthers in Italy.................................................................................................................¹⁴⁴

Panther-Abteilungen in the West.................................................................................

American Tankers’ Opinions of Panthers...........................................................................¹⁵⁴