Panther II tank

The Panther II tank was a German tank design proposal, based on the Panther tank during the Second World War. It had slightly thicker armour when compared with the Panther and some standardised components were implemented from the Tiger II tank.[1] The Panther II did not progress beyond prototypes and did not enter production.

Panther II on display at Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor, Fort Knox. The Panther G turret on display was not originally fitted to this hull and was installed later as a placeholder.

Development and production

The early motivation for improving the Panther tank came from the concern of Adolf Hitler and others who believed that it lacked sufficient armour. Hitler had already insisted on an increase in its armour once, early in the design of the original Panther in 1942. Discussions involving Hitler in January 1943 called for further increased armour; initially referred to as Panther 2, it was known as the Panther II after April 1943.

There would have been the usual tank crew consisting of five: the driver, commander, gunner, loader and radio operator.

Following the decision not to commence production, the concepts and ideas were used for the design of the E-50 Standardpanzer project.

Armour

This upgrade to the Panther tank increased the thickness of the glacis plate from 80 mm (3.1 in) to 100 mm (3.9 in), the side hull armour from 40 mm (1.6 in) to 60 mm (2.4 in), and decreased the armour on the top hull from 40 mm (1.6 in) to 30 mm (1.2 in). Production of the Panther II was slated to begin in September 1943.

Much of the Panther II's design was taken from the Tiger tank.[2] On 10 February 1943, Dr. Wiebecke (chief design engineer for M.A.N.) suggested thoroughly redesigning the Panther II and incorporating Tiger components such as the steering gear, final drives, the suspension system and turret based on Eastern Front experiences. The total weight would have increased to more than 50 tonnes.[3] Another meeting on 17 February 1943 focused on sharing and standardising parts between the Tiger II and the Panther II, such as the transmission, all-steel 80 centimetre diameter road-wheels that only overlapped (as on the Tiger II) and not interleaved (as the original 'Schachtellaufwerk' road-wheel system used) and running gear.

Drawings from 1943 also showed the addition of a machine gun port for the turret, with a narrow gun mantlet.[4] Additional meetings in February 1943 began to outline the various components, including a suggestion to use the 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun from the Tiger II.[2] However, it was ultimately decided to continue use of the production Panther's 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun.[5] In March 1943, MAN indicated that the first prototype would be completed by August 1943.

Turret

The Panther II was to be fitted with a new turret, the Turm Panther 2 (schmale Blendenausführung).[6] For a long time, it was assumed that the Schmalturm was designed for the Panther II, but we now know this isn't true. The Schmalturm was designed after the Panther II was cancelled.[7]

Engine

A number of engines were under consideration, among them the new Maybach HL234 fuel-injection engine (900 hp operated by an 8-speed hydraulic transmission) and the BMW 003 aviation turbojet-derived, GT 101 turboshaft powerplant, planned to be of 1,150 shaft horsepower output and weighing only 450 kg (992 lb) without its transmission, only 38% of the weight of the Panther's standard Maybach HL230 V-12 gasoline fueled piston engine. The engine would have given the Panther II an increased 200 hp, which would have made it faster than its predecessor, though it was heavier.[2]

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 a final meeting was held at M.A.N where it was decided that production of the Panther II would cease, and work would focus on the Panther I.[8] 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.

Crew

The Panther II required five crew members to operate, its turret accommodated three crew members, the commander, gunner, and loader whilst the driver and radio operator sat in the hull, in an arrangement identical to the Panther I.

Surviving vehicles

One prototype hull was completed and captured by US forces. It was taken to Aberdeen Proving Ground, and then later moved to the Patton museum. A Panther Ausf. G turret was placed on the Panther II hull as a placeholder. [1][9][10][2]

References
  1. Green, Anderson & Schulz.
  2. Ford.
  3. Jentz (1995), p. 51.
  4. Jentz (1995), p. 52.
  5. Jentz (1995).
  6. Jentz (2006), p. 5-212.
  7. Jentz (2006), p. 5-218 + 5-230.
  8. Jentz (1995), p. 53.
  9. Jentz (1995), pp. 50–55.
  10. Spielberger (1993), pp. 169–174.

Bibliography
  • Ford, Roger (2012). The World's Great Tanks: From 1916 to the Present Day. London: Amber Books. ISBN 9781610607209.
  • Gander, Terry. German 88: The Most Famous Gun of the Second World War. Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-1848848320.
  • Green, Michael; Anderson, Thomas; Schulz, Frank. German Tanks of World War II. Zenith Imprint. ISBN 9781610607209.
  • Jentz, Thomas L. (1995). Germany's Panther Tank. The Quest for Combat Supremacy. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-88740-812-5.
  • Short, Neil (2006). Tank Turret Fortifications. Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1861266873.
  • Spielberger, Walter (2004) [1993]. The Panther & its Variants (English ed.). West Chester: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-88740-397-2.
  • Jentz, Thomas L. (2006). Panzer Tracts No. 5-4 Panzerkampfwagen Panther II and Panther Ausf. F. Panzer Tracts. ISBN 978-0977164325.
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