The Pz.Kpfw.V Panther was a German medium tank produced between 1943 and 1945. Development began in late 1941, followed by prototype testing throughout 1942 and the start of series production in early 1943. The Soviet T-34 was regarded as its main opponent and the Panther was intended eventually to replace the lighter Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks, which had thinner armour and less powerful armament.
The tank’s main gun was a long-barrelled 75 mm KwK 42 L/70, supplemented by two MG34 machine guns, one mounted in the hull and the other coaxially in the gun mantlet. Early Panthers were powered by a 650 hp Maybach HL 210 P30 twelve-cylinder petrol engine, giving the 44.8-tonne vehicle a top speed of 55 km/h on good roads. Its double torsion-bar suspension provided 510 mm of wheel travel, giving the tank a relatively smooth ride over rough terrain.
The Panther’s short development period and rapid introduction into production initially resulted in significant reliability problems. Early production vehicles were therefore recalled in late spring 1943 as part of a rebuilding programme that addressed most of their shortcomings. The Panther’s reliability was further improved in subsequent variants.
The model depicts a very early Panther Ausf.D produced in early spring 1943. The tank belonged to the 8th Company of Panzer-Abteilung 52, Panzer-Regiment 39 and is shown as it appeared during the Battle of Kursk in early July 1943.
More about the model and its construction can be found at this link
+ Archer AR77023 75mm ammo stencils for Panther and Jagdpanzer IV L/70 tanks
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