Panther Tank

A Panther tank

The Panther Tank, also known as the Panzerkampfwagen V, was one of many tanks produced during World War II. It was one of the most famous German tanks of the war. It was produced to counter the Soviet T-34 tank. It had thick frontal armor of 80 mm which was sloped like the T-34; this made the Panther very hard to knock out of action from the front. It also had sloped armor on the turret and sides, however, it was not as thick as the front plate. The Panther had wide tracks, large overlapping road wheels and a highly developed suspension system. The tank was fast for its time, with a powerful V-12 gas engine giving it top speeds of 31 to 33 mph. It had a long barrel 75 mm KwK canon and a mounted coaxial MG-42 on its turret. Even though it wasn't as strong as the King Tiger Tank or Tiger I tank, with their 88 mm guns as far as damage inflicted, the 75 mm had a very high muzzle velocity and a greater piercing depth of armor plate. Its main gun was very accurate, as well. The Panther had a crew of five. German factories produced approximately 6,000 by the end of the war. A tank destroyer version was produced and known as the Jagdpanther (Hunting Panther).