Panther II
Development of the Panther II started in early 1943. The initial differences between the Panther II and the Panther I was armor thickness and mass. It was not until February that plans for standardization of components between the Panther II and Tiger II was planned. The commonality was seen as a major driving force behind the creation of the Panther II.
The Turret Controversy
The schmale Blendenausfuehrung turret to be used on the Panther II was not the Schmalturm of the Panther Ausf. F, based on Drawing No. H-Sk A 88176 from November of 1943 which details the machine gun mount for narrow mantelet turret for the Panther II. No full drawing of this turret is available.
The Rheinmetall "Schmalturm" from drawing H-SK 88517 dated March 1, 1944 had a stereoscopic range finder, and the turret roof was raised to 960mm at is peak, and the rear sloped
There may have been plans to arm the Panther II with the Schmalturm found on the Panther F. However, on February 27, 1945, Krupp and Diamler Benz began colaborative work to rearm the Schmalturm with an 8.8cm gun. The technical specifications were as follows:
The Turret Controversy
The schmale Blendenausfuehrung turret to be used on the Panther II was not the Schmalturm of the Panther Ausf. F, based on Drawing No. H-Sk A 88176 from November of 1943 which details the machine gun mount for narrow mantelet turret for the Panther II. No full drawing of this turret is available.
The Rheinmetall "Schmalturm" from drawing H-SK 88517 dated March 1, 1944 had a stereoscopic range finder, and the turret roof was raised to 960mm at is peak, and the rear sloped
There may have been plans to arm the Panther II with the Schmalturm found on the Panther F. However, on February 27, 1945, Krupp and Diamler Benz began colaborative work to rearm the Schmalturm with an 8.8cm gun. The technical specifications were as follows:
- Armamet was to be the 8.8cm KwK 43 of the Tiger II with muzzle brake.
- The front of the turret would be made of smooth armor plate with the smallest possible openings for the main gun and machine gun (the center of the trunion must lie at the forward edge of the front plate).
- Stereoscopic range finder (most likely made by Zeiss with a base of either 1.32m or 1.65m).
- A low-profile for the turret was preferred.
- In order to provide the loader with the required freedom of action, the free turret diameter was to be 1750mm.
- Ammunition should be stored in the turret for easy access.
- The cupola and elevating/traversing gears from the Panther F's Schmalturm were to be used.
- A stabilized gunsight.