PzKpfw V ausf.A – Panther | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Germany |
| Catégorie | Véhicules blindés |
| Type | Char |
Le Panther SdKfz 171 Panzer V était un char d’assaut allemand durant la seconde guerre mondiale. Son premier engagement date de la bataille de Koursk en 1943. Conçu pour remplacer les Panzer III et IV obsoletes et tenir tête au T-34 soviétique, il a du être employé en complément de ses prédécesseurs afin de compenser son sous-effectif.
L’armement principal du Panther était un canon long le 75mm Kwk 42 de 70 calibres de long, soit l’équivalent en puissance du char Tigre I. Il emportait 79 obus et était équipé d’une mitrailleuse de type MG34 coaxiale, d’une deuxième mitrailleuse de caisse à l’avant et enfin d’une troisième de défense antiaérienne sur la tourelle.
Source: PzKpfw V ausf.A on Wikipedia
| PzKpfw V ausf.A | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 54 |
| PzKpfw V Panther Ausf A Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Jacques Littlefield Collection |
| Photos | 87 |
See also:
The **Panzerkampfwagen V Ausführung A (PzKpfw V Ausf. A)**, or **Panther Ausf. A**, was the second production model of the German Panther medium tank. It addressed significant reliability and operational flaws found in the initial Ausf. D variant and is considered one of the most effective and influential tank designs of World War II.
Core Design and Firepower
The Panther Ausf. A retained the revolutionary design features intended to counter the Soviet T-34:
- Sloped Armor: It featured highly **sloped frontal armor** (80 mm at 55 degrees on the glacis plate), which drastically increased the effective thickness and provided excellent protection against most Allied anti-tank fire at long range.
- Main Gun: The tank was armed with the high-velocity **7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun**. This cannon provided superb armor penetration, allowing the Panther to engage and destroy most Allied tanks from distances exceeding 1,500 meters.
- Mobility: Powered by a **Maybach HL230 P30 V-12 gasoline engine** (700 hp), the 45-ton tank was relatively fast, capable of reaching speeds of around 46 km/h (29 mph) on roads, balancing protection with tactical speed.
Key Improvements (Ausf. A over Ausf. D)
The Ausf. A, produced from August 1943 to May 1944, incorporated several crucial modifications for improved combat effectiveness and crew functionality:
- Commander’s Cupola: The troublesome drum-shaped cupola of the Ausf. D was replaced with a **new cast, hemispherical cupola**. This offered the commander much better all-around vision via seven periscopes and greater ballistic protection.
- Hull Machine Gun Mount: The vulnerable « letterbox » flap for the hull machine gun was replaced by a more practical and better-protected **ball mount** (*Kugelblende*) for the 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun.
- Turret Traverse: A new, **single-speed hydraulic turret traverse system** was installed, significantly improving the gunner’s ability to track and engage targets quickly.
- Anti-Magnetic Coating: Most Ausf. A tanks left the factory coated with **Zimmerit**, an anti-magnetic paste intended to prevent the attachment of magnetic anti-tank mines.
- Reliability: Numerous mechanical and cooling system improvements were implemented to address the severe engine and transmission reliability issues that plagued the initial Panther D production.
Specifications Summary
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium Tank |
| Weight | ~45 metric tons |
| Main Armament | 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 cannon |
| Frontal Armor (Glacis) | 80 mm @ 55° |
| Engine | Maybach HL230 P30 V-12 (700 hp) |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio Operator) |
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