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1943 - German Panther II PzKw 5 Ausf F
Armament; 1 - 7.5cm (3") KwK
42 L/70 gun
1 - 7.92mm MG 34
Engine:
Maybach, HL 234, V-12, gas, 800 hp
Speed:
29 mph
Range:
110 miles
Crew:
5
Weight:
57 tons
When production of the Panther began in 1943, plans were made for a Panther
II with heavier frontal and side armor but capable of the same performance as
the Panther I. This was an attempt to create a hybrid vehicle which combined
components from early Panther tanks with those of the yet to be built Tiger II.
Two prototypes were ordered, and one with a normal Panther I turret was
delivered. The Panther II was to be equipped with an improved Schmalturm. Only
one specimen remains which was recovered from an artillery range in Lackhill
England. See photo by Andrew Longstaff. This compact turret with a built in
rangefinder was designed by Daimler Benz for the Panther Ausf F. It was to
mount a modified version of the 75mm gun known as the KwK 44/1. This Panther II at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, is the sole survivor. Weight
increased to 57 tons and the prototype used the running gear of the King Tiger.
Only 7 wheels per side were used and were staggered to enable the use of a
single torsion bar. Hydraulic steering with a reinforced gear box was used. The
project was abandoned and many of the advanced features such as all steel road
wheels and deeply sloped armor were incorporated into the Model G Panther I in
late production models.
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