German medium tank PzKpfw V PANTHER Ausf. D COBI 2599 - Limited Edition WW II1:28

» Estimated date of shipment to the customer from 3 February 2025 «

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 was built, 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 the sloping armour or 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 first deployment of the new tanks took place at the Battle of Kursk.
• The energy of the tank shot was so great that the crews were forbidden to fire without a retracting brake. The disadvantage was that after a few shots it was necessary to interrupt the firing to regenerate the lock system.
• For the first time in a German tank an automatic engine compartment extinguishing system was used.
• Even a tank like the Panther had 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.
• Germany planned to produce other versions such as Panther II with reinforced armour, Panther Ausf. G with a new turret, or the Coelian anti-aircraft special. With the end of the war, serial production did not take place.
• In total, over 6,000 units were produced in various versions.

Technical parameters of tank V PANTHER:

• dimensions: length 8.66 m (with gun), width 3.27 m, height 2.99 m
• weight 45 500 kg
• armour: 80 mm front, 110 mm turret, 50 mm sides, 40 mm rear
• power unit 12-cylinder Maybach HL 230 P30 petrol engine with a capacity of 23.09 litres and an output of 515 kW
• Number of speeds 7 forward + 1 reverse
• maximum road speed 55 km/h
• range 250 km
• fuel tank capacity 730 l
• main weapon KwK 42 L/70 cannon 75 mm calibre (82 rounds)
• secondary weapon 2x machine gun MG 34 calibre 7,92 mm (4 200 rounds)
• crew 5 persons

From the memoirs of tank commander Joachim Richter:

"In July 1944, the 4th Tank Brigade was deployed in the southern sector near Kusko. Our mission was to break through the Soviet defenses and allow the second-string troops to pass. During the advance, we were under constant fire from anti-tank guns. Our Panther fought off five or six hits. The tank's resilience gave us a miraculous sense of invincibility. As it turned out later, it was a false sense of security. In a fierce firefight, we managed to destroy several T-34 tanks, and as we advanced southeast, the fire gradually ceased. For the next few kilometers we encountered no more tanks or artillery and at that point we realized we were lost. It was not the end for my crew, but on the contrary the beginning of incredible trouble... ."