Panther F

This page is about the German medium tank Panther F. For other uses, see Panther (Disambiguation). For other versions, see Panther tank (Family).

Panther F

Panther G

Leopard I

Panther F

Panther G

Leopard I

Germany

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
6.0	6.0	6.0

Class:

Medium tank

Research:31 000

Purchase:200 000

Show in game

Description

The Panzerkampfwagen V Ausführung F (Panther F) (Sd.Kfz. Index: Sd.Kfz. 171) is the fourth production variant of the iconic Panzerkampfwagen V Panther medium tank family. In November 1943, Rheinmetall designed a new turret with a narrow front plate 120 mm (4.72 in) thick. From a distance, the narrow turret presented a smaller target for the enemy. In March 1944, the design was revised under the name Schmale Blende Turm-Panther. This was one of several designs that were eventually dubbed "Schmalturm" (narrow turret). The Schmale Blende appears to be a modification that served as one of numerous proposals for the Panzerkampfwagen V Ausfuehrung II (Panther II). This updated turret design weighed less than the original Panther turret (from 7,665 kg to 7,565 kg) and reduced the area of frontal armour while maintaining interior crew space. It also reduced production time by around 30-40%. However, due to the end of World War II, the Panther F did not see serial production, but eight hulls and three turrets were completed in 1945.

Introduced in the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41, the Panther F improves on the Panther series by improved frontal protection, reload time and the inclusion of an optical rangefinder, allowing quicker and more accurate rangefinding at ranges up to 4 km.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull50 / 40 / 16

Turret120 / 60 / 60

Crew5 people

Visibility125 %

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour
• Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet, cupola)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	80 mm (55°) Front glacis 50 mm (56°) Lower glacis	50 mm (30°) Top 41.5 + 5 mm Lower	40 mm (24°)	25 mm
Turret	120 mm 100 mm Gun mantlet	60 mm	60 mm	40 mm
Cupola	80 mm

From the hull up, the F variation of the Panther is similar to previous models. However, the biggest and most noticeable change is seen in the turret design. Instead of the transverse-cylindrical mantlet of the D and A models or the chinned mantlet of the G model, the Panther F features a brand new trapezoidal turret named the Schmalturm (or "Narrow Turret"). This new turret features a bevy of positives over its previous iterations, including beefier armour and the removal of the prominent shot trap caused by the cylindrical nature of the previous model's mantlet. Though stronger than the turret of previous Panthers, the Schmalturm can still be penetrated by numerous vehicles commonly seen around its battlerating.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB51 / 4 km/h

RB and SB46 / 4 km/h

Number of gears7 forward

1 back

Weight45.5 t

Engine power

AB1 145 hp

RB and SB600 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB25.2 hp/t

RB and SB13.2 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	51	4	45.5	930	1,145	20.44	25.16
Realistic	46	4		531	600	11.67	13.19

As expected of the Panther series, it features good mobility as a result of its decent power to weight ratio of 13 hp/t. However, it should be noted that the very poor reverse speed of 4 km/h has not been improved, and as such, great care must be taken to not overextend into an unfavourable position.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 964 → 4 090

RB3 552 → 4 901

SB4 540 → 6 265

Total cost of modifications52 700

91 100

Talisman cost1 700

Crew training57 000

Experts200 000

Aces800

Research Aces520 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

110 / 180 / 210 %

172 / 172 / 172 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 195 Suspension Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 200 170 Brake System Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 200 170 Filters Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 185 Transmission Research: 3 400 Cost: 5 900 190 Engine Research: 3 400 Cost: 5 900 190	Improved Parts Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 195 Improved FPE Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 200 170 Crew Replenishment Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 185	Horizontal Drive Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 195 Adjustment of Fire Research: 3 000 Cost: 5 200 170 Elevation Mechanism Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 185 Smoke grenade Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 185 Artillery Support Research: 3 400 Cost: 5 900 190 75mm_kwk_42_APCR_ammo_pack Research: 3 400 Cost: 5 900 190 Rangefinder Research: 3 400 Cost: 5 900 190

Armaments

Rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Main armament

75 mm KwK44 cannon

Ammunition82 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

8.7 → 6.7 s

Vertical guidance-8° / 20°

The KwK44 is a highly effective gun when engaging enemy armour due to its high penetration. Although not as effective as the legendary KwK43, it's enough to penetrate most enemies it will face, resulting in many two-shot kills with the help of the PzGr 39's explosive filler. The gun's high penetration values, excellent muzzle velocity and the addition of an optical rangefinder makes the Panther F excel in long range combat.

75 mm KwK44					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	82	-8°/+20°	±180°	N/A	14.28	19.76	24.00	26.55	28.24	8.71	7.70	7.10	6.70
Realistic					8.93	10.50	12.75	14.10	15.00

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
PzGr 39/42	APCBC	192	188	173	156	140	126
PzGr 40/42	APCR	228	224	204	182	162	145
Sprgr. 42	HE	13	12	11	11	11	11

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
PzGr 39/42	APCBC	935	6.8	1.2	14	28.9	48°	63°	71°
PzGr 40/42	APCR	1,120	4.75	-	-	-	66°	70°	72°
Sprgr. 42	HE	700	5.74	0.2	0.1	725	79°	80°	81°

It is recommended to use primarily the Pzgr. 39 APCBC-HE shell in the Panther F, as Pzgr. 40 APCR, while having higher penetration against flat armour at close range, has reduced effectiveness against sloped armour and poor spalling post-penetration.

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Panther F

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	7th rack empty	8th rack empty	9th rack empty	10th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
82	80 (+2)	74 (+8)	62 (+20)	50 (+32)	38 (+44)	26 (+56)	22 (+60)	12 (+70)	4 (+78)	1 (+81)	Yes

Note:

• Right side empty: 50 (+32) shells.
• Both sides empty: 22 (+60) shells.

Machine guns

7.92 mm MG42 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition3 000 rounds

Belt capacity150 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate1 200 shots/min

7.92 mm MG42
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	3,000 (150)	1,200	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

In downtiers, the Panther F is an apex predator. With strong armour and significant firepower, the Panther can frontally take on most of the competition. It can be used effectively for engaging from long range or contesting capture points. It is important to be aware of your surroundings, and as much as possible point your strongest armour towards the enemy. Overextending in the Panther can be particularly lethal due to its poor reverse speed and weak side armour. 

Angling the turret slightly can greatly increase the likelihood of bouncing certain common enemy cannons, like the american 76mm and soviet 85mm tank guns.

In uptiers, the Panther F should be played very carefully, as a large part of the competition can frontally defeat it with relative ease. In these matchups, the player should seek to make use of the Panther's decent mobility characteristics to get into advantageous positions targeting the enemy's side, while being careful not to get enveloped by advancing enemy forces. Engaging enemy heavy tanks can be particularly troublesome, as many are largely frontally resistant to the Kwk 44.

Notable opponents

• IS-2 - The IS-2's powerful 122mm gun can easily penetrate the Panther's frontal arc, and, on penetration, doesn't allow any second chances. IS-2s of the early pattern can be penetrated reliably through the lower front plate and turret.
• IS-2 (1944) - Compared to the earlier pattern IS-2, the '44 model has improved frontal protection - the lower frontal plate is now together with the externally mounted tracks a rather risky shot, particularly when angled or engaged at longer ranges.
• M26 - The Pershing's strong armour makes it resistant to the Kwk 44, while its 90mm easily penetrates the Schmalturm in return. Considerations should be made before engaging one frontally. It can be penetrated frontally through the hull machinegun and the right/left edges of the lower plate. These weakspots are also present on the T29 Heavy Tank (Family).
• T26E5 & T26E1-1 - The two uparmoured Pershings are likewise highly resistant to the Kwk44 frontally, and direct frontal engagements with these should largely be avoided if possible.
• T-44 - The T-44 is, despite its excellent mobility, well protected. It can be penetrated reliably through the front of the turret face.
• 76mm cannons (Found on M4 Sherman (Family) and M18 GMC, among others) - Angling the turret against these weapons can make the Panther F a very hard nut to crack.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent protection, the hull is resistant to many guns commonly found at around the tier
• 75 mm KwK44 is highly capable, able to penetrate many targets with relative ease
• Slightly faster reload than the previous models of Panthers
• Optical rangefinder allows faster and more accurate ranging of targets out to 4 km

Cons:

• Turret is weak to many guns found at and above its battlerating.
• 75 mm KwK44 can struggle against certain heavily-armoured vehicles seen primarily in uptiers
• Pitiful reverse speed

History

Archive of the in-game description

In the autumn of 1944, production of a new variant of the Panther was planned, the Ausf. F variant. This version had stronger front armour on its hull (80 mm), its sides (50 mm), and the front part of its roof (25 mm). The Schmalturm 605 turret, developed by the company Daimler-Benz AG, was slightly smaller than the standard Panther turret. This allowed the forward armour to be reinforced up to 120 mm, at an inclination of 20°. The sides of the new turret had a thickness of 60 mm and an inclination of 25°, and the thickness of the gun mantlet reached 150 mm. Stereoscopic rangefinders produced by the company Zeiss were mounted on the sides of the turret. The vehicle was armed with a 75 mm KwK42/1 L/70 or KwK44/1 L/70 gun in a new mantlet. A project was launched to equip the Panther with the longer 75 mm KwK L/100. Instead of a directional machine gun, the radio operator/gunner used an MP 44 assault rifle. Production plans stipulated that production Ausf. F tanks would only be released with road wheels with internal shock absorbers. During mass production, the tank was supposed to be fitted with a periscope sight with an optical stabilizer. Each tank could, if necessary, be equipped with an FG 1250 night vision device. In October 1944, production of the Ausf. F was set to launch in the Daimler-Benz plant in Berlin in March 1945. But by January 1945, a single Panther Ausf. G prototype with a Schmallturm turret was ready. Due to the overall difficulty of Germany's situation at the time, only a few prototypes with a narrow turret and 8 tank hulls had been constructed by the end of the war. Some sources indicate that several Ausf. F variants were completed by Daimler-Benz between April 20 and 23, 1945, and they may have been used in combat operations.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Panther F from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg Aktiengesellschaft (MAN AG)
Medium tanks
Panther	VK 3002 (M) · Panther A · Ersatz M10 · Panther D · Panther F · Panther G · Panther II
Export/captured
USSR	▂T-V
France	Panther "Dauphiné"