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DB's proposal used an external leaf spring suspension, in contrast to the MAN proposal of twin torsion bars. Hitler himself considered a diesel engine imperative for the new tank. The incorporation of a diesel engine promised increased operational range, reduced flammability and allowed for better use of petroleum reserves. It was driven from the rear drive sprocket with the turret situated forward. The 'VK 30.02(DB)' design resembled the T-34 in its hull and turret and was also to be powered by a diesel engine. Daimler-Benz (DB), which designed the successful Panzer III and StuG III, and Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg AG (MAN) were given the task of designing a new 30- to 35-tonne tank, designated VK 30.02, by April 1942. Among the features of the Soviet tank considered most significant were the sloping armour, which gave much improved shot deflection and also increased the effective armour thickness against penetration, the wide track, which improved mobility over soft ground, and the 76.2 mm (3 in) gun, which had good armour penetration and fired an effective high-explosive round. At the insistence of General Heinz Guderian, a special tank commission was created to assess the T-34.

The T-34 outclassed the existing models of the Panzer III and IV. These designs were abandoned and Krupp dropped out of the competition entirely as the requirements increased to a vehicle weighing 30 tonnes, a direct reaction to the encounters with the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks and against the advice of Wa Prüf 6.

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The initial requirements of the VK 20 series called for a fully tracked vehicle weighing 20 tonnes and design proposals by Krupp, Daimler Benz and MAN ensued. The Panther was born out of a project started in 1938 to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks. The naming of Panther production variants did not, unlike most German tanks, follow alphabetical order: the initial variant, Panther 'D' ( Ausf. D), was followed by 'A' and 'G' variants.Īlbert Speer examines a T-34 Model 1940 in June 1943 The Panther's weight caused logistical problems, such as an inability to cross certain bridges, otherwise the tank had a very high power-to-weight ratio which made it highly mobile. Though officially classified as a medium tank, at 44.8 metric tons the Panther was closer to a heavy tank weight and the same category as the American M26 Pershing (41.7 tons), British Churchill (40.7 tons) and the Soviet IS-2 (46 tons) heavy tanks.

Most design flaws were rectified by late 1943 and early 1944, though the bombing of production plants, increasing shortages of high-quality alloys for critical components, shortage of fuel and training space, and the declining quality of crews all impacted the tank's effectiveness. The Panther was rushed into combat at the Battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943 despite numerous unresolved technical problems, leading to high losses due to mechanical failure. Despite this the overall design remain described by some as 'overengineered'. Key elements of the Panther design, such as its armour, transmission, and final drive, were simplifications made to improve production rates and address raw material shortages. The Panther was far cheaper to produce than the Tiger I. The Panther proved to be effective in open country and long-range engagements. The trade-off was weaker side armour, which made it vulnerable to flanking fire. While having essentially the same Maybach V12 petrol (690 hp) engine as the Tiger I, it had better gun penetration, was lighter and faster, and could traverse rough terrain better than the Tiger I. It is considered one of the best tanks of World War II for its excellent firepower, protection and mobility although its reliability in early times were less impressive. Nevertheless, it served alongside the Panzer IV and the heavier Tiger I until the end of the war. The Panther was intended to counter the Soviet T-34 medium tank and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV. In contemporary English-language reports it is sometimes referred to as the 'Mark V'. On 27 February 1944 it was redesignated to just PzKpfw Panther, as Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral 'V' be deleted. It was used on the Eastern and Western Fronts from mid-1943 to the end of the war in May 1945. 171, is a German medium tank of World War II. The Panther tank, officially Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (abbreviated PzKpfw V) with ordnance inventory designation: Sd.Kfz.