Panther II

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:39 pm

The early impetus for upgrading the Panther came from the concern of Hitler and others that it lacked sufficient armor. Hitler had already insisted on an increase in its armor once, early in its design process in 1942. Discussions involving Hitler in January 1943 called further increased armor; initially referred to as Panther 2 (it became the Panther II after April 1943). This upgrade increased the glacis plate to 100 mm (3.9 in), the side armor to 60 mm (2.4 in), and the top armor to 30 mm (1.2 in). Production of the Panther 2 was slated to begin in September 1943.
In a meeting on February 10, 1943, further design changes were proposed - including changes to the steering gears and final drives. Another meeting on February 17, 1943 focused on sharing and standardizing parts between the Tiger II tank and the Panther 2, such as the transmission, all-steel roadwheels, and running gear. Additional meetings in February began to outline the various components, including use of the 88 mm L/71 KwK 43 gun. In March 1943, MAN indicated that the first prototype would be completed by August 1943. A number of engines were under consideration, among them the new Maybach HL 234 fuel-injected engine (900 hp operated by an 8-speed hydraulic transmission).
Thus, plans to replace the original Panther design with the Panther II were already underway before the first Panther had even seen combat. But from May to June 1943, work on the Panther II ceased as the focus was shifted to expanding production of the original Panther tank. It is not clear if there was ever an official cancellation - this may have been because the Panther II upgrade pathway was originally started at Hitler's insistence. The direction that the design was headed would not have been consistent with Germany's need for a mass-produced tank, which was the goal of the Reich Ministry of Armament and War Production.
One Panther II chassis was completed and eventually captured by the U.S.; it is now on display at the Patton Museum in Fort Knox. An Ausf G turret is mounted on this chassis.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:39 pm

More here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panther_tank#Further_development

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:19 pm

Hmm this never saw in action right?

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 9:52 pm

Not that I know of but will go through it again to make sure.

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:28 pm

Ok lett me know.

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:53 pm

I can confirm this now it was never used in combat.

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:53 pm

But only this prototype was captured I assume.

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:46 am

There were 2 prototypes, and you see the turret how its str8 on the bottom mantle? Well the rounder ones made shells go in better lol

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 3:35 pm

LOL

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:13 am

It would of been better than Panther I due to upgrades and a lot more fearsome.

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:48 pm

Yep but was not produced right??

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 10:51 pm

Um yeah that image is one of the 2 Panthers II

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:32 pm

They should made this tank earlier in the war.

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:57 pm

Yea it would be a similar threat as the Tiger, and if they would of never developed the Tiger 800,000 RM they could of build 7 panthers with it lol.
Panther II was too heavy for a medium tank and high, but it could of worked out if more Panthers were built instead, best price per ton.