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.

Now Minichamps has created a gorgeous 1:35 scale diecast replica of the famed PzKpfw V Panther Ausfuhrung G (Type G) medium tank, this time around painted in a striking late-war camouflage pattern used in the defense of Berlin in 1945. This stunning recreation features a rotating turret, elevating gun, working suspension, and treads that are made of flexible metal links! Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 10-inches
Width: 4-inches
Height: 2-3/4-inches

Release Date: April 2005

Historical Account: "Volunteers" - Per Kjolner is a Norwegian volunteer who volunteered for the Waffen-SS as an SS-Schutze in 1941. He first served in SS-Infanterie-Regiment Germania of SS-Division Wiking. After graduating from Bad Tlz in 1943, he became platoon leader in SS-Panzer-Abteilung 11 Hermann von Salza of 11.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division Nordland. Kjolner received the Iron Cross First Class and the Close Combat Clasp in Bronze for his actions in the Battle of Narva. He ended the war as an SS-Untersturmfuhrer. After World War II, Kjolner was tried by Olso Byrett and sentenced to 5 years in prison for treason. He later took over as director of the family company in Norway. Per Kjolner is born in 1921 and is still alive in 2012. Image: Public domain.