panther111

Pz. Kpfw. V, Panther Tank

From Handbook on German Military Forces: 1 MARCH 1945 RESTRICTED TM-E 30-451

The Panther first was met in action on the Russian front in the summer of 1943. Originally designated
Pz. Kp-fw. V, it's nickname, Panther,was adopted as its official nomenclature in February 1944. The
latest version to appear is the Model G. The principal reasons for the success of the Panther are its
relatively high speed, maneuverability, dangerous armament, and good protection.

Variants of the Panther tank which have been identified are the commander's version, the wrecker
tank (Bergepanther), and the self-propelled gun Jagdpanther, which consists of the 8.8 cm
Pak 43/3 or 4 on the Panther chassis.

(2)Specifications.

Model G

Specification number………….Sd.Kfz.171.
Weight in action…………………..50 short tons(approximately).
Crew ..............…….. .5 men.
Armor:
Front glacis plate………….80 mm at 55°.*
Front nose plate……………..60 mm at 35°.
Rear plate……………………………..40 mm at 30°.(undercut)
Hull sides .......………….40 mm vertical.
Superstructure sides…..50 mm at 30°.
Turret front .....………..110 mm at 10°.
Turret sides .....………..45 mm at 25°.
Turret rear .....…………..45 mm at 28°.

Armament (coaxially mounted in turret).. One 7.5 cm Kw.K.42(L/70)
and one M.G.34.
In hull…………………………………………………………………………One M.G. 34.

*All angle measurements given are from vertical.

Dimensions, Length ...21 feet ll 1/2 inches.
(excluding gun)
Width .............. 10 feet 9 1/2 inches.
Height .............9 feet 4 inches.
Gun overhang .......6 feet 5 inches.
Ground clearance .... 1 foot 7 1/2 inches.

Performance,
Trench crossing .....10 feet.
Step ................3 feet.
Gradient ...........30°.
Fording ............6 feet (Some sub-
mersible to 13 feet).
Road speed .........20 miles per hour.
Cross-country speed. .15 miles per hour.
Maximum speed .... .35 miles per hour.
Range on roads ..... 124 miles.
Range cross-country. .62 miles.

Engine, Type ......... Maybach HL 230 P30.
Cylinders ...........V-12.
Fuel ................Gasoline.
Fuel capacity ....... 193 gallons.
Fuel consumption (per 100 miles)
On roads ....... 149 gallons.
Cross-country .. .298 gallons.
BHP ...............690 HP at 3,000 rpm.
Capacity ............23 liters (1,403 cubic
inches).

Transmission: Maybach synchromesh sliding-dog
type; manually operated, giving seven for-
ward speeds, one reverse.

Suspension: Eight load-carrying axles each
carrying two large disced rubber-tired bogie
wheels, interleaved. Twin torsion-bar suspension.