German medium tank PzKpfw V PANTHER Ausf. G COBI 2713 - World War II

You know that:

• The Panther tank, or SdKfz 171, was developed in 1942 in the design office of MAN and Daimler-Benz on the basis of experience from the Eastern Front.
• In just 17 weeks, the first prototype of the tank, which is widely regarded as one of the best medium tanks of the Second World War, was built.
• Many technical solutions were copied from captured T-34 and KV-1 tanks, such as the sloping armour or the wide tracks.
• Two designs were reportedly presented to the Ordnance Commission for production approval. MAN's solution was eventually chosen, as the Daimler tank bore a striking resemblance to the Soviet T-34.
• The new tanks saw their first deployment at the Battle of Kursk.
• The energy of the tank's fire was so great that the crews were forbidden to fire without a recoil brake. The disadvantage was that after a few shots it was necessary to interrupt the firing to allow regeneration of the breaking system.
• For the first time in a German tank, an automatic engine compartment extinguishing system was used.
• Even a tank like the Panther had its weak points. Many crews reported problems with turret rotation when the tank was on a higher slope, and so design modifications were gradually made. Smoke grenades in the tank's turret blasters were also a complication, as they inadvertently exploded and prevented the crew from seeing the battlefield. Later versions no longer had blast tubes.
• In total, more than 6,000 were produced in various versions.

Technical parameters:

• dimensions: length 8.66 m (with gun), width 3.27 m, height 3 m
• weight 44 800 kg
• armour: 80 mm front, 100 mm turret, 50 mm sides, 40 mm rear
• power unit Maybach HL 230 P30 12-cylinder petrol engine with a capacity of 23.09 litres and a power output of 515 kW
• 7 forward + 1 reverse speed
• maximum road speed 55 km/h
• range 250 km
• fuel tank capacity 730 l
• main weapon KwK 42 L/70 cannon of 75 mm calibre (82 rounds)
• secondary weapon 2x MG 34 machine gun 7,92 mm calibre (4 200 rounds)
• crew 5 persons