The Panzer V was also named “Panther” or Panzerkampfwagen V, Sd.Kfz. 171, Ausfuhrung A or version A. It had a 75 mm gun with 79 rounds and two MG 34 machine guns. It’s frontal armor was 80 mm sloped at 55 degrees.
Other versions of the Panther tank are;
– Jagdpanther a Tank Destroyer
– Bergepanther a Recovery vehicle
– Befehlspanther a Command Tank
This Panther V Ausf. A was photographed at the Musée des Blindes tank museum in Saumur, France.
The Panzer V Ausf. A – Sd.Kfz. 171
The Panzer V Sd.Kfz. 171 Ausf. A, better known as the Panther tank, was a German medium tank developed during World War II. It was designed to counter the Soviet T-34 and the British Matilda tanks, incorporating advanced features that set it apart from earlier German tanks. The first prototype, the Ausf. A, was produced in 1942 and marked the beginning of the Panther’s development.
The Panther Ausf. A was powered by a Maybach HL 210 P30 V12 gasoline engine, producing 700 horsepower, which allowed the tank to reach speeds of 46 km/h (29 mph) and achieve a range of 250 km (155 miles) on roads. Its 45-ton weight was balanced by an excellent combination of firepower, armor, and mobility.
The tank was armed with the powerful 75mm KwK 42 L/70 gun, capable of destroying most Allied tanks at long ranges. The Panther Ausf. A featured sloped armor up to 80mm thick, offering superior protection compared to earlier tanks, especially against enemy anti-tank fire.
It had a crew of 5 (commander, driver, gunner, loader, and radio operator) and was equipped with two 7.92mm MG34 machine guns for defensive purposes. The Panther was highly regarded for its firepower, armor, and mobility, making it one of the most effective tanks of World War II, though it had mechanical reliability issues early in its deployment.
