Pz Kpfw V ausf D “PANTHER D” heavy tank

Despite the rapid advance of the Wehrmacht in Russia, everything began to stagnate when the Panzer Divisions began to confront two new models of Soviet tanks, the T-34/76 and the KV-1, which were superior to theirs in most. This forced the German High Command to accelerate the development of a new tank model that restored superiority to German forces. In late 1941, Daimler Benz and MAN companies began their projects under the requirements that it should be a vehicle between 20-35 tons of weight, would have an sloped frontal armour of 60mm thickness, would mount a 75/48mm gun and must reach a top speed of about 55 km/h. The MAN prototype was selected and would go into production under designation “Panzerkampfwagen V ausf D (Sd.Kfz.171)”, which would be known worldwide as “Panther D” tank. The production lasted from January to September of 1943, and in that period 850 units were built. All these Panther D tanks were immediately sent to the Eastern Front, where they participated in the Battle of Kursk of July 1943.

PANTHER D gallery 1 and more info

PANTHER D gallery 2 and more info