[WhiskeyPapa]

Most postwar publications on German armor of WW II tend to overemphasize the importance of the Tiger and Panther. These vehicles, while undoubtedly making quite an impression on their opponents during their somewhat limited appearance on the battlefield, should be considered as derivatives of the PzKpfw III and IV.

The Tiger was a super duper Mk. IV. There's a strong family resemblence. The Panther on the other hand was a completely different design; it owed a lot to the Soviet T-34.

Walt

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning WhiskeyPapa

The Panther on the other hand was a completely different design; it owed a lot to the Soviet T-34.

One of the designs for the Panther almost resembled the T-34.

In March of 1942, Daimler-Benz was the first to produce their version of VK3002's design based on previously rejected VK3001 (direct copy of T-34/76) design from January of 1942. Two versions of VK 3001 with different suspensions were designed by Daimler-Benz - one with spring suspension and other with torsion bar suspension. Daimler-Benz VK3002 design was largely based on T-34/76 and was more like a modified German version of it. MAN finished their design of VK3002 in early Spring of 1942.

VK3002(DB) with torsion bar suspension.

VK3002(DB)'s turret was mounted in the forward position of the hull just like that of T-34/76.

[colorado tanker]

Walt, I wanted intelligence and got armor. I'm glad I did - especially once I saw what the S-2 shop does in peacetime.