In many respects, the Panther tank was viewed as the finest armored fighting vehicle of the Second World War. Based in large part upon the Soviet's highly successful T-34 medium tank, the PzKpfw V Ausfuhrung G was built by several manufacturers including MAN, Daimler-Benz and MNH. Mounting a fearsome 7.5cm KwK42 L/70 cannon and two 7.92mm MG34 machineguns, the Panther Ausf. G represented the third and certainly the most impressive installment in the Panther series.

The weight of the production model was increased to 43 tons from the original plans for a 35 ton tank. Hitler had personally reviewed the final designs and insisted on an increase in the thickness of the frontal armor - the front glacis plate was increased from 60mm to 80mm and the turret front plate was increased from 80mm to 100mm.

Once the problems caused by the vulnerability of the engine and the transmission were solved, it proved to be a very effective fighting vehicle. The crew was made up of five members: driver, radio operator (who also fired the bow machine gun), gunner, loader, and commander.

This particular 1:72 scale replica is based upon a vehicle used by Panzer Regiment 35, 11.Panzer Division in the defense of Kurland in September 1944. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-3/4-inches
Width: 2-inches

Release Date: July 2004

Historical Account: "Latvian Levies" - The 11.Panzer Division was formed in August 1940 and fought in the Balkans campaign. It saw action on the southern sector of the Eastern front from June to October 1941 before it was transferred to the central sector, where it remained until June 1942 when it returned south. It fought at Belgorod, Kursk, and Krivoj Rog, but suffered heavy losses when it was encircled at Kresun, south of Kiev.

Aftewards, it was transferred to France for refitting in June 1944 where it absorbed the 273.Reserve Panzer Division. It opposed the allied landings in southern France before being withdrawn through France and into Germany. The unit fought in the Ardennes and later near Trier and Remagen before surrendering to the US Army at the end of the war.