Panzer V Panther

This German medium tank saw service on the Eastern and Western fronts. Built to counter Soviet T-34 and replace Pz. III and IV tanks, it served alongside these other German tanks through the war. Rushed into service, it experienced significant mechanical failures at first, but these were largely resolved by early 1944. Compared to the Panzer VI Tiger I, the Panther had many advantages, including a very high power-to-weight ratio; more efficient frontal hull armour; better gun penetration; was lighter and faster (at 32 mph top speed); could traverse rough terrain better; and was significantly less expensive to produce. The MAN, Daimler-Benz, and MNH companies produced approximately 6,000 units in three main variants from late 1942 through March 1945. The Panther's high-velocity 7.5 cm Pak 42 L/70 main gun had longer effective range than opposing Allied tanks. This gun was the most powerful of World War II, due to the large propellant charge and the long barrel, which gave it a very high muzzle velocity and excellent armour-piercing qualities. It fired both anti-tank and anti-personnel rounds. It also carried a coaxial MG 34 machine in the turret and another MG 34 in the hull. These stats reflect the ToI base Panther unit, which also effectively represents all three main variants.