Design Overview & Tactical Role
Considered by many historians to be Germany's finest all-around tank of World War II, the Panther was directly inspired by the Soviet T-34's sloped armor. Armored with an 80 mm front glacis angled at 55 degrees and armed with the exceptionally high-velocity 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun, the Panther combined devastating firepower, excellent ballistic protection, and formidable cross-country mobility.
Combat History & Battle Records
Rushed into combat at the Battle of Kursk in July 1943 where early mechanical teething issues occurred, the improved Ausf. A and Ausf. G variants went on to become Germany's primary tactical threat against Allied armor in Normandy and the Ardennes.
Related Armored Vehicles (World War II)
Modern
2014
Modern
2001
Cold War
1965
World War II
1942