Pz Kpfw V ausf D “PANTHER D”

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