Jagdpanther
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Jagdpanzer_V_Jagdpanther_1.jpg
The Jagdpanther ("Hunting Panther") was a tank destroyer built by Germany during World War II based on the chassis of the Panther tank.
Development
A heavy tank destroyer design based on the 88 mm gun and the Panther tank chassis was ordered in late 1942 as design SdKfz 173. Production started in early 1944; at the same time Hitler specified the Jadgpanther ("hunting panther") name.
To accommodate the gun, the sides of the Panther tank were extended up to provide a roomy interior, while maintaining a very low profile. Both the Panther Ausf. G and Jagdpanther had side armor of increased elevation to enhance this effect even further and to harmonize production.
It was armed with the same long-barrelled 88 mm gun as the Tiger II, with a 7.92 mm machine gun in the front glacis plate for local defence. Despite the limited gun movement traverse (left/right), the Jagdpanther was considered a very good machine. A powerful engine gave it a good power-to-weight ratio resulting in good performance in the battlefield. The low profile meant that it was easily camouflaged.
Two variants can be distiguished, one with a narrow steel-band around the main gun mount and the other with a heavy cast protection, which was bolted to the hull.
All this made the Jagdpanther widely and rightly feared, especially operating in defensive positions. Based on the existing Panther chassis, it did not suffer too many mechanical problems.
Production
Around 400 were produced in 1944 and 1945. They equipped Heavy Tank Destroyer Battalions and served mainly on the Eastern Front, although significant numbers were concentrated in the West for the Ardennes Offensive.
External Links
- Information about the Jagdpanther at Panzerworld (http://www.panzerworld.net/jagdpanther.html)
- Pictures of jagdpanther at battletanks.com (http://www.battletanks.com/jagdpanther.htm)
- http://www.achtungpanzer.com/pz15.htm
| German armored fighting vehicles of World War II | |
|---|---|
| Tanks | |
| Panzer I | Panzer II | Panzer III | Panzer IV | Panther | Tiger I, II | Panzer 35(t) | Panzer 38(t) | |
| Self-propelled artillery | |
| Wespe | Hummel | Grille | Panzerwerfer | |
| Assault guns | |
| StuG III | StuG IV | StuH 42 | Brummbär | Sturmtiger | |
| Tank destroyers | |
| Panzerjäger I | Marder I , II , III | Hetzer | Jagdpanzer IV | Jagdpanther | Nashorn | Jagdtiger | Elefant | |
| Armored half-tracks | Armored cars |
| SdKfz 4 | 250 | 251 | 252 | 253 | Sdkfz 221/22/23 | Sdkfz 231/32/34/63 |
| Self propelled anti-aircraft | |
| Flakpanzer IV: Möbelwagen, Wirbelwind, Ostwind, Kugelblitz | Gepard | |
| Prototypes | |
| Maus | P-1000 Ratte | E- series | Panther II | Waffentrager | Neubaufahrzeug | |
| Proposed designs | |
| P-1500 'Monster' | Panzer VII 'Löwe' | Panzer IX | |
| German armored fighting vehicle production during World War II | |