Wikipedia, 10.04.2014: Der Panzerkampfwagen V „Panther“ (Sd.Kfz. 171) war ein deutscher mittlerer Kampfpanzer im Zweiten Weltkrieg. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzerkampfwagen_V_Panther Panzerkampfwagen V "Panther" Also known as: PzKpfw V, 'Panzer V', Panther, Sd. Kfz. 171 The Panther was a medium tank of the German Army in World War II. Until 1944 it was designated as the PzKpfw V Panther. The production Panther was a direct response to the Soviet T-34, after encountering difficulties fighting the Soviet T-34, Colonel General Heinz Guderian (Inspector of Panzer Troops) suggested simply copying the T-34; although the report of the enquiry recommended that the main attributes of the T-34 - armament, sloped armor and suspension - be incorporated into a new German Medium weight tank. Two proposals made by Daimler-Benz and by MAN Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg. Both early named VK30.02. Variants: - Panther Ausf. D = first production version, armed with 75 mm KwK 42 L/70 gun - Panther Ausf. A = second production version, improved Ausf. D - Panther Ausf. G = additional armour - Jagdpanther = Tank Destroyer with an 88 mm L/71 PaK 43 gun on Panzer V chassis (Sd. Kfz. 173)