German medium tank Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. A COBI 2654 - World War II 1:28

Did you know:

• The Panther tank, also known as SdKfz 171, was developed in 1942 by the design offices of MAN and Daimler-Benz based on experiences from the Eastern Front.
• In just 17 weeks, the first prototype of the tank was created, which is generally considered one of the best medium tanks of World War II.
• Many technical solutions were copied from captured T-34 and KV-1 tanks, such as sloped armor and wide tracks.
• A significant improvement was the split transmission, which allowed the tank to turn on the spot.
• For production approval, two designs were reportedly presented to the armaments commission. Ultimately, MAN's design was chosen because the Daimler-Benz tank closely resembled the Soviet T-34.
• The new tanks were first deployed in the Battle of Kursk.
• The energy of the tank's shot was so high that crews were forbidden from firing without a recoil brake. The disadvantage was that after a few shots, firing had to be paused to allow the recoil system to regenerate.
• For the first time in a German tank, an automatic fire suppression system for the engine compartment was used.
• Even a tank like the Panther had weak points. Many crews reported problems with turret rotation when the tank was on a steep slope, leading to gradual design modifications. Another issue was the smoke grenades in the turret launchers, which could accidentally explode and obstruct the crew’s view of the battlefield. Later versions no longer had these launchers.
• Almost all produced units were coated with a special anti-magnetic paint called Zimmerit, which was meant to prevent American magnetic mines from sticking to the tank's armor.
• Germany planned the production of additional versions, such as the Panther II with enhanced armor, the Panther Ausf. G with a new turret, and the Coelian anti-aircraft variant. However, with the war’s end, mass production never took place.
• In total, more than 6,000 units were produced in various versions.

Technical specifications:

• Dimensions: length 6.87 m, width 3.27 m, height 2.99 m
• Weight: 45,500 kg
• Armor thickness: up to 110 mm
• Power unit: V12 Maybach HL230 P2 gasoline engine, 515 kW
• Number of gears: 7 forward + 1 reverse
• Maximum speed: 55 km/h
• Range: 200 km
• Fuel tank capacity: 730 liters
• Main armament: KwK 42 L/70 cannon, 75 mm caliber (82 rounds)
• Secondary armament: 2× MG 34 machine guns, 7.9 mm caliber (5,100 rounds)
• Crew: 5

From the memoirs of tank commander Klaus Richter:

,,It’s incredible that despite all the hardships of war, some soldiers managed to keep their sense of humor. When we were pushing through French villages in our Panther in July 1944, the fog hung over the landscape like a poorly drawn curtain. I was looking through binoculars into the mist, but I could barely see past the end of the barrel and muttered: damn, where are the Americans? After a moment, the driver, a notorious joker named Dieter, spoke up. If they’re smart, they’re somewhere in a pub. Unlike us, sneaking around like cats without dinner."