Panther II

The Panther II was a proposed German tank design during World War II. It was intended to be an improved version of the Panther tank, which was already in service with the German army. However, the Panther II project did not progress beyond the prototype stage, and no operational vehicles were produced. Here are some key details about the Panther II:

1. Development: The development of the Panther II began in 1943 as an attempt to address some of the shortcomings of the original Panther tank. The design aimed to improve the tank's armor protection, mobility, and overall performance.
2. Upgraded Features: The Panther II incorporated several planned upgrades compared to the original Panther tank. It featured increased frontal armor thickness, sloped glacis plate, improved gun mantlet design, and revised turret shape. These enhancements aimed to provide better protection against enemy fire.
3. Suspension and Mobility: The Panther II was intended to have a modified suspension system with wider tracks and increased track contact area, which would have improved its mobility and off-road capabilities. It was also planned to have a more powerful engine, the Maybach HL 234, providing increased speed and maneuverability.
4. Armament: The Panther II was designed to mount a high-velocity 75mm KwK 44 L/70 gun, which was an improvement over the 75mm KwK 42 L/70 gun used in the original Panther tank. The new gun would have offered increased armor penetration capabilities and a higher muzzle velocity.
5. Prototype and Cancellation: A single Panther II prototype was constructed, incorporating the planned design changes. However, due to the deteriorating war situation for Germany and the focus on producing more urgently needed tanks, the Panther II project was eventually canceled. The prototype was never used in combat.
6. Influence and Legacy: While the Panther II itself did not see production or combat, some of its design elements and improvements were later incorporated into other tanks developed by various nations. For example, the sloped glacis plate and improved gun mantlet design influenced post-war tank designs such as the American M46 Patton and the French AMX-30.

The Panther II was an ambitious attempt to enhance the already formidable Panther tank. However, due to the war's progression and resource limitations, the project was ultimately abandoned in favor of focusing on more immediate tank production requirements.