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Panther II

Panther II

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Panther_II (Stock)

AnnoG64_Panther_II.png
Totals
2390000 Price
1350 Hit Points
52.23 / 53 kgWeight
Crew
  1. Commander
Armor
100/60/40Hull Armor(front/sides/rear, mm)
120/60/60Turret Armor(front/sides/rear, mm)
Maneuver
650 h.p.Engine Power
55 km/hSpeed Limit
26 deg/secTraverse Speed
Firepower
135 Standard Shell Damage
150 mmStandard Shell Penetration
4.6 Time for Complete Loading
42 deg/secTurret Traverse Speed
Communication
380 mView Range
310 mSignal Range
VIII
Panther II
2390000
The vehicle was conceived in 1943. Two prototypes with the existing Panther I turrets were ordered in 1944. By 1945 only one of them had been built by the MAN company.

A step-up in the world from the Pz.Kpfw. V Panther, it is best to understand you are still in the same role. While being more powerful and maneuverable than the Pz.Kpfw. V Panther, a M26 Pershing will definitely beat you in a close-quarters fight. Knowing this, it is best to take advantage of your long-range accuracy and stay just behind, or alongside, your team's heavies to avoid close-quarters combat. The Panther II has a higher profile than its counterparts, the M26 Pershing and the T-44, which means you are easier to spot, so position yourself on the battlefield very carefully. The Panther II is like a Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger but one Tier higher and more mobile.

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret VII Turm-Panther (schmale Blende) 7500 120/60/60 42 380
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun VI 7,5 cm KwK 42 L/70 1740 150/194/38 135/135/175 13.04 0.35 2.3
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine VII Maybach HL 210 TRM P30 720 650 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis VII Panther II 16500 53 26
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio III FuG 5 0 310

Panther II 7.5 Lange

Attack

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret VII Turm-Panther (schmale Blende) 7500 120/60/60 42 380
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun VIII 7,5 cm KwK 45 L/100 2100 198/244/38 135/135/175 13.04 0.32 2.3
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine VII Maybach HL 210 TRM P30 720 650 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis VII Panther II 16500 53 26
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio VI FuG 7 0 415

Panther IIe

Attack

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret VII Turm-Panther (schmale Blende) 7500 120/60/60 42 380
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun V 10,5 cm KwK 42 L/28 2100 64/104/53 350/350/410 7.5 0.55 2.3
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine VII Maybach HL 210 TRM P30 720 650 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis VII Panther II 16500 53 26
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio VI FuG 7 0 415

Panther II D

Recon

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret VIII Panther II Schmalturm 7745 120/60/60 28 390
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun VIII 7,5 cm KwK 45 L/100 2100 198/244/38 135/135/175 12.5 0.32 2.3
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine VIII Maybach HL 230 TRM P30 750 870 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis VIII Panther II verstärkteketten 16500 56 29
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio IX FuG 12 0 710

Panther II E

Attack

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret VIII Panther II Schmalturm 7745 120/60/60 28 390
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun VIII 8,8 cm KwK 43 L/71 2562 203/237/44 240/240/295 7.79 0.34 2.9
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine VIII Maybach HL 230 TRM P30 750 870 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis VIII Panther II verstärkteketten 16500 56 29
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio IX FuG 12 0 710

Compatible Equipment

Vertical Stabilizer Mk 1
Medium Spall Liner
Camouflage Net
Fill Tanks with CO2
Coated Optics
Enhanced Gun Laying Drive
Enhanced Torsion Bars 5+ t Class
Improved Ventilation Class 2
Medium-Caliber Tank Gun Rammer
Binocular Telescope
Toolbox
"Wet" Ammo Rack Class 1

Compatible Consumables

Automatic Fire Extinguisher
Chocolate
100-octane Gasoline
105-octane Gasoline
Manual Fire Extinguisher
Large First Aid Kit
Large Repair Kit
Small First Aid Kit
Small Repair Kit

Player Opinion

Pros and Cons

Pros:


  • Second highest DPM of all tier 8 medium tanks
  • Decent acceleration and top speed
  • Decently sloped upper glacis
  • Good weight for ramming
  • Good penetration and damage


Cons:


  • Poorly armored lower glacis plate
  • Large silhouette for a medium
  • Engine can get damaged or catch fire from hits to the lower glacis


Performance

The Panther II is a solid and capable tank in the right hands; understanding its strengths and weaknesses are the key to sucess. The Panther II isn't a brawler. It lacks both the speed and the agility to do so with any large amount of success. However, it can be a very successful flanker, so long as you pick and choose your targets. Sniping is always preferential in the Panther II over direct engagement, but don't discount scrapping entirely; the Panther II can take some decent hits, but only risk it if you have support. The Panther II works best in a pack, just like any other medium. Going out on your own will often result in finding yourself a smoldering wreck.

If possible, try only to expose your turret to the enemy. Like most German tanks, the lower glacis plate is a large weakness, one which smart opponents will exploit readily if given the chance. Shots through the lower glacis will often find your engine broken and often lit on fire. It may also be difficult playing the vehicle on slopes as its gun depression is lacking.

Must-have equipment for this tank are the Tank Gun Rammer and the Vertical Stabilizer to reduce reload time and drastically improve gun performance. The third equipment choice is preferential; a Gun Laying Drive will reduce aim time when stopped and help snipe more quickly, Coated Optics increase view range by 10% constantly, and Binocular Telescopes will help spot even camouflaged tanks very well, but only when the tank is stationary. Play style will determine which of these is the best for you.

Although frowned upon, the Panther II, unlike its predecessor, can play a role similar to a brawling heavy, but in a way that sets it apart from almost any other tank in the game. Use the good penetration of the Panther IIs top gun to your advantage by assassinating unwary heavily damaged opponents; heavies, mediums, whatever class they may be. Learning the weak spots of tanks and where your gun can penetrate their armor will only enhance this ability. Equipping a Tank gun Rammer and Enhanced Gun Laying drive further increases the Late-game danger this tank becomes. The Panther II and those that follow it can become extremely dangerous late-game tanks in the right hands. With an elite crew, this tank can spot farther, turn and aim faster, and with its high DPM out-gun almost any other tank in its classes tier. In essence, this tank can deceptively turn into a "Medium-Heavy" late-game in urban areas in particular. Pick off badly injured tanks, weave about through streets and alleys, use plenty of cover and outsmart your foes, keep on the lookout for newly spotted targets and eliminate them as quickly as you can and you will find yourself able to completely turn, if not help turn the tide of a battle. This sort of play is very viable in tier 8 and 9 matches, but it is best you become acquainted with your Panther IIs capabilities before attempting such a feat, and is especially not advised if you have already taken severe damage.


Early Research

The first thing to upgrade is the turret, which gives extra view range and armor and gives more improvement than the suspension. Then research the suspension, so that you can then research and mount the L/71 or L/100. The engine does not give a very large improvement to this heavy medium, so research this last.


Historical Info

The early impetus for upgrading the Panther came from the concern of Hitler and others that it lacked sufficient armor. Hitler had already insisted on an increase in its armor once, early in its design process in 1942. Discussions involving Hitler in January of 1943 called for further increases in armor, resulting in the tank initially referred to as the 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). The weapon was to remain the KwK 42 L/70Production of the Panther 2 was slated to begin in September 1943.


In a meeting on February 10, 1943, further design changes were proposed, including changes to the steering gears and final drives. Another meeting on February 17, 1943 focused on sharing and standardizing parts between the Tiger II tank and the Panther 2, such as the transmission, all-steel roadwheels, and running gear. No plans were made to include the 8.8 cm L/71 as the turret diameter was too small. In March 1943, MAN indicated that the first prototype would be completed by August 1943. A number of engines were under consideration, among them the new Maybach HL 234 fuel-injected engine (900 hp operated by an 8-speed hydraulic transmission).


Thus, plans to replace the original Panther design with the Panther II were already underway before the first Panther had even seen combat. But, from May to June 1943, work on the Panther II ceased, as the focus was shifted to expanding production of the original Panther tank. It is not clear if there was ever an official cancellation; this may have been because the Panther II upgrade path was originally started at Hitler's insistence. The direction that the design was headed would not have been consistent with Germany's need for a mass-produced tank, which was the goal of the Reich Ministry of Armament and War Production. Additionally, many of the problems the Panther II was made to address had been resolved, such as the weak side armor.


One Panther II chassis was completed and eventually captured by the U.S. It is now on display at the Patton Museum in Fort Knox. The turret from a Panther (I) Ausf G is mounted on this chassis.


Historical Gallery

Sources and External Links

Germany
Light Tanks ILeichttraktor IIPz.Kpfw. 38H 735 (f) IIPz.Kpfw. 35 (t) IIPz.Kpfw. I IIPz.Kpfw. II IIIPz.Kpfw. 38 (t) IIIPz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A IIIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. J IIIPz.Kpfw. I Ausf. C IIIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G IIIT-15 IVPz.Kpfw. 38 (t) n.A. IVPz.Kpfw. II Luchs VVK 16.02 Leopard VIVK 28.01 VIIAufklärungspanzer Panther VIIISpähpanzer Ru 251
Medium Tanks IIIPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A IIIPz.Kpfw. S35 739 (f) IVPz.Kpfw. III IVPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D IVVK 20.01 (D) VPz.Kpfw. III/IV VPz.Kpfw. IV VPz.Kpfw. IV Hydrostat VPz.Kpfw. V/IV VPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H VT-25 VIPz.Kpfw. IV Schmalturm VIVK 30.01 (P) VIVK 30.01 (D) VIVK 30.02 (M) VIIPanther/M10 VIIPz.Kpfw. V Panther VIIVK 30.02 (D) VIIIPanther mit 8,8 cm L/71 VIIIIndien-Panzer VIIIPanther II IXE-50 IXLeopard prototyp A XE-50 Ausf. M XLeopard 1
Heavy Tanks IVPz.Kpfw. B2 740 (f) IVDurchbruchswagen 2 VVK 30.01 (H) VIVK 36.01 (H) VIIPz.Kpfw. VI Tiger VIIPz.Kpfw. VI Tiger (P) VIIILöwe VIIIPz.Kpfw. Tiger II VIIIVK 45.02 (P) Ausf. A IXE-75 IXVK 45.02 (P) Ausf. B XE-100 XMaus
Tank Destroyers IIPanzerjäger I IIIMarder II IVHetzer IVMarder 38T VPz.Sfl. IVc VStuG III Ausf. G VIDicker Max VIJagdpanzer IV VINashorn VIIE-25 VIIJagdpanther VIISturer Emil VIIIFerdinand VIIIJagdpanther II VIII8,8 cm PaK 43 Jagdtiger VIIIRhm.-Borsig Waffenträger IXJagdtiger IXWaffenträger auf Pz. IV XJagdpanzer E-100 XWaffenträger auf E 100
Self-Propelled Artillery IIG.Pz. Mk. VI (e) IIISturmpanzer I Bison IIIWespe IVPz.Sfl. IVb IVSturmpanzer II VGrille VIHummel VIIG.W. Panther VIIIG.W. Tiger (P) IXG.W. Tiger XG.W. E-100
Medium Tanks
USA IIT2 Medium Tank IIIM2 Medium Tank IVM3 Lee VM4A2E4 Sherman VM4A2E4 Ripper VM4 Sherman VM7 VRam II VIM4A3E8 Sherman VISherman Fury VIM4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo VIIT20 VIIT23E3 VIIIM26 Pershing VIIIT26E4 Super Pershing VIIIT26E4 Freedom VIIIT69 VIIIT95E2 IXM46 Patton IXT54E1 XM48A1 Patton
UK IVickers Medium Mk. I IIVickers Medium Mk. II IIIVickers Medium Mk. III IVMatilda VMatilda Black Prince VICromwell VICromwell Knight VIIComet VIIICenturion Mk. I IXCenturion Mk. 7/1 XFV4202
Germany IIIPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A IIIPz.Kpfw. S35 739 (f) IVPz.Kpfw. III IVPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D IVVK 20.01 (D) VPz.Kpfw. III/IV VPz.Kpfw. IV VPz.Kpfw. IV Hydrostat VPz.Kpfw. V/IV VPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H VT-25 VIPz.Kpfw. IV Schmalturm VIVK 30.01 (P) VIVK 30.01 (D) VIVK 30.02 (M) VIIPanther/M10 VIIPz.Kpfw. V Panther VIIVK 30.02 (D) VIIIPanther mit 8,8 cm L/71 VIIIIndien-Panzer VIIIPanther II IXE-50 IXLeopard prototyp A XE-50 Ausf. M XLeopard 1
France IIID2 IXLorraine 40 t XBat.-Châtillon 25 t
USSR IVT-28 VMatilda IV VT-34 VIA-43 VIT-34-85 VISpectre VIT-34-88 VIIA-44 VIIKV-13 VIIT-43 VIIT-44-122 VIIIObject 416 VIIIT-44 IXObject 430 Version II IXT-54 XObject 140 XObject 430 XT-62A
China VType T-34 VIType 58 VIIT-34-1 VIIIT-34-2 VIIIT-34-3 IXWZ-120 X121
Japan IIChi-Ni IIIType 97 Chi-Ha IVType 1 Chi-He VType 3 Chi-Nu VType 3 Chi-Nu Kai VIType 4 Chi-To VIIType 5 Chi-Ri VIIISTA-1 IXType 61 XSTB-1
Czechoslovakia
Sweden
ja:XBOX:Panther II