The early impetus for upgrading the Panther came from the concern of Hitler and others that the Panther lacked sufficient armor. Hitler had already insisted on an increase in armor to the Panther once, early in its design process in 1942. Discussions involving Hitler in January 1943 called for a Panther tank with further increased armor, initially referred to as Panther 2 (it became the Panther II after April 1943). This upgrade increased the glacis plate to 100 mm (3.9 in), the side armor to 60 mm (2.4 in), and the top armor to 30 mm (1.2 in). Production of the Panther 2 was slated to begin in September 1943. (source)Tank Class: Tank Boarding level: 18 Fire power: 585/4.55 Attack power/sec: 128.57 Speed: 45 (-4) Shell speed: 130 (-5) Shell capacity: 75 Duration: 7100 Front armor: 100@45 Side armor: 40@90 Rear armor: 40@60 Prior to the 6 November 2009 Patch Boarding level: 18 Fire power: 585/4.55 Attack power/sec: 128.57 Speed: 49 Shell speed: 135 Shell capacity: 75 Duration: 7100 Front armor: 100@45 Side armor: 40@90 Rear armor: 40@60 |
