Grotere afbeelding (opent in nieuw venster)

sPzJgAbt 653

60th Anniversary Battle of Kursk Cyber Hobby Special Edition

The Ferdinand was assigned to sPzJgAbt 653 and 654 in preparation for the Kursk offensive in July of 1943. On the first days of action the Ferdinand turned out to be a disaster due to technical problems. The main problems were a lack of adequate support and most importantly the lack of a self-defense weapon. However, the Ferdinand still proved to be very effective when deployed behind enemy lines during the Kursk offensive until November of 1943.

Berlin 1945

Among all variants of the Panther Tank, the Panther Ausf F is certainly the most rare and mysterious.
Design work on the Panther II, or Ausf. F, began in February 1943. The main aim was to secure maximum interchangeability of parts with the Tiger II heavy tank in order to ease manufacturing. The Panther II had a hull similar to the Tiger, although with increased side armour, and also shared identical wheels, track, suspension and brakes. The major change was a new, narrow turret, sometimes called the Panzerturm Schmal (Schmalturm turret). Compared to the original, this turret was lighter, had a reduced frontage, could take a larger gun, and was quicker to build. It also fitted the same turret ring and had thicker armor. It included a stereoscopic rangefinder and gyrostabiliser and could fit the L/70, L/100 guns or even the same 88mm gun as the Tiger II. An upgraded engine was also included. The failing economic situation in Germany at the end of the war halted Panther II production at the prototype stage.

The Panther was of major significance in the evolution of the tank. Early postwar tanks such as the Leopard 1 show its influence.

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