Pz Kpfw V “PANTHER II”

The need to improve the weaknesses of the Panther tank led to the design of a new turret with greater armour as Adolf Hitler had requested before the Panther‘s production begun. The glacis plate had to be increased up to 100mm thick, the hull’s sides up to 60mm and the hull’s top up to 30mm thick. Nevertheless, and despite the increase in weight, the tank had to maintain the same performances as the original Panther tank. It was intended that production of the new Panther II, (as the new tank was designated), it should be done in conjunction with the Tiger II tank. The reason for this was to share the maximum number of components between the two vehicles to reduce costs and speed up production. The order to start the production was delayed until early 1944, although finally it would never start. However, MAN was authorized in 1944 to make two prototypes, one of which was delivered in March or April 1945.

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