Pz.Kpfw. V "Panther" Ausf. G

  Unit Properties of  General Information
 * Nation:     Germany
 * Category:   Tanks
 * Class:      Medium Tank
 * Role:       Anti-tank/Infantry Support
 * Primary Armament: 75mm KwK 42(AP/HE)
 * Secondary Armament: 3 x 7.92mm MG-34 Machine gun 1 x Co-axel 1 x Hull 1 x Anti-Air
 * Armor:
 * Crew:       5


 * MP price:   68
 * Speed:      32
 * Fuel:       ?

The Panther (originally known as: Sd.Kfz. 171 or Pz.Kpfw. V) was a tank invented to counter the T-34/76 1940. Its production started in 1943, ending in 1945. The Panther served along with the heavier Tiger tanks until the end of the war. The tank had an excellent combination of firepower, mobility, and protection.

History
The Panther tank was a compromise of various requirements. While sharing essentially the same engine as the Tiger I tank, it had better frontal armor, better gun penetration, was lighter overall and thus faster, and could handle rough terrain better than the Tigers. The tradeoff was weaker side armor; the Panther proved to be deadly in open country and shooting from long range, but vulnerable to close-quarters combat.

Due to the success of this tank the Allies and Soviets developed tanks to try and counter the Panther, which let to the development of the IS-2 and the M26 "Pershing".

In-game
The Panzer V Panther is a very effective vehicle and was considered one of the best tanks of the war. Its formidable combination of thick (80mm) frontal armor sloped at 55 degrees, outstanding KwK 42 L/70 semi-automatic (resulting in a faster reload time) 75mm cannon and powerful Maybach HL230 690HP engine giving it great speed and manoeuvrability thanks to its wide tracks which reduced ground pressure. In-game, the Panzer V is best used as a breakthrough tank, charging headlong at the enemy and keeping on the move. It is important for the player to keep the front of the tank facing the enemy as the side armor is thin (40mm) and is easily penetrated.

Online it costs 68 points to purchase and may be the best tank available taking in performance and value for money; it is far more advisable to save up for 2 Panthers than wait until you have enough for a Jagdtiger or King Tiger, 110 and 115 points respectively. This is because the cost of a Panther can be reached far more quickly and while it is being used the player can save up for another. It can outmatch any enemy light or medium tank and can square off against some heavy tanks such as the Pershing and IS-1. In the later stages of the game, however, the Panther is outmatched by vehicles like the IS-3, T29 and Tortoise but is still a threat.


 * Note
 * The Panther (Pz.Kpfw. V) has the same gun as that of the Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) and the same chassis as the Panzerjäger V "Jagdpanther".