Panther Ausf. D. - Walkaround - Breda.

The Panther was developed in 1938 out of a project
to replace the Panzer III and IV called the VK 20 series
and design proposals were sent in by Krupp,
Daimler Benz and MAN.

The VK20 design was abandoned as the requirements
increased to a vehicle weighing 30 tonnes after the German
army encountered the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks.
This would lead to the VK 30.02(DB) design,
which would resemble the T-34 in hull
and turret and it would also be powered by a diesel engine.
The two designs were reviewed from January to March 1942.
The MAN design embodied a more conventional configuration,
with the transmission and drive sprocket in the front and
a centrally mounted turret.
The driver could open this hinged port when not in a combat zone.
This was perceived as a weak spot and
was also a feature that took time to fabricate.

Late D tanks would also have Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine
paste applied in the factories.
The early Panther tanks were eventually sent back in April
through May 1943 for a major rebuilding program,
because of major breakdowns.

The engine was dangerously prone to overheating and
suffered from connecting rod or bearing failures.
Petrol leaks from the fuel pump and fuel-lines were also a
problem and would produce fires in the engine compartment,
this problem was never really solved and
the Panther was the actual real Ronson tank.

It would see action with the Panzer Abteilung 51 on 9 January,
and the Panzer Abteilung 52 on 6 February 1943,
It would be seen as a necessary component of Operation Citadel,
but the attack was delayed several
times because of their mechanical problems,
the same problems came back in the Battle of Kursk.

This German Panther tank at the city Breda was found on a
German testing grounds in Meppen, it was given to Breda in 1945
by the Polish liberators of Breda.
It's not known where the Panther actually came from
and there is little to no service history.

Today it's the only Ausf. D. Tank left in the world.
The Panther was restored in 2004 by Kevin Wheatcroft
in exchange for the engine
and gearbox because the inside was still intact and complete.

A full overhaul was promised and all parts of the tank would
be overhauled and preserved by a special coating.
But only a bad paint job was given.
Some would say the
Wheatcroft collection scammed the Breda government
out of extremely valuable parts.

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■ Information obtained from several sites.
■ Wikipedia
■ tanks-encyclopedia
■ the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_Panzers
■ preservedtanks
■ pantser.net
■ the.shadock.free.fr/Tanks_in_France

■ Some music is from the YouTube Audio Library.

■ Music used:
EpidemicSound.com

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