PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. D (Early)

PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. D (Early)

The Panther Ausf D was the first production version of the Panther series, and was rushed into combat twelve months after the initial design was first approved. Resultantly the early version was mechanically unreliability and had a disastrous combat debut during the battle of Kursk. Despite this the basic design was good and as reliability improved the it soon proved to be an excellent medium tank.

The Ausf D can be identified by two main features. It had a straight sided “drum” commander’s cupola, with viewports for periscopes low down on the side, and there was no hull machine gun mount. Instead the crew machine gun was fired through a narrow slit in the hull front. The Ausf D was developed as the Ausf A, but its designation was changed before production began in January 1943. Tests on the first few machines revealed a large number of flaws with the new tank. Most seriously the engines caught fire and the final drive chains broke, in a worrying sign of the mechanical unreliability to come. The issue of new tanks stopped in April, and all existing tanks were recalled for major modifications. Only in May was the Panther ready to go back into service, equipping the 51st and 52nd Panzerabteilungen. By the start of Operation Citadel these two detachments had 96 Panthers each but they did not live up to expectations with fifteen braking down before they even reached the front.

  • SKU: BG155
  • £15.99

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    We ship to all countries World Wide. If you receive an error message "No shipping location available" or similar, please contact us directly by e-mail (info@milicast.com) and we shall assist. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

    Shipments outside the UK may be subject to Duty & Taxes from the government of the destination country. Payment of Duty & Taxes are the responsibility of the customer.

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The Panther Ausf D was the first production version of the Panther series, and was rushed into combat twelve months after the initial design was first approved. Resultantly the early version was mechanically unreliability and had a disastrous combat debut during the battle of Kursk. Despite this the basic design was good and as reliability improved the it soon proved to be an excellent medium tank.

The Ausf D can be identified by two main features. It had a straight sided “drum” commander’s cupola, with viewports for periscopes low down on the side, and there was no hull machine gun mount. Instead the crew machine gun was fired through a narrow slit in the hull front. The Ausf D was developed as the Ausf A, but its designation was changed before production began in January 1943. Tests on the first few machines revealed a large number of flaws with the new tank. Most seriously the engines caught fire and the final drive chains broke, in a worrying sign of the mechanical unreliability to come. The issue of new tanks stopped in April, and all existing tanks were recalled for major modifications. Only in May was the Panther ready to go back into service, equipping the 51st and 52nd Panzerabteilungen. By the start of Operation Citadel these two detachments had 96 Panthers each but they did not live up to expectations with fifteen braking down before they even reached the front.

    • SKU
      BG155
    • Weight
      48 g
  • Manufacturer
    Milicast
  • Unit of Sale
    Single Unit
  • Assembly Status
    Unassembled Kit
  • Scale
    1:76
  • Age Level
    17 Years & Up
  • Skill Level
    3 – Intermediate
  • Theme
    Militaria

We ship to all countries World Wide. If you receive an error message "No shipping location available" or similar, please contact us directly by e-mail (info@milicast.com) and we shall assist. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Shipments outside the UK may be subject to Duty & Taxes from the government of the destination country. Payment of Duty & Taxes are the responsibility of the customer.

We accept the following payment methods:

To pay by credit or debit card, please select Stripe at checkout. 

All Goods remain the property of Milicast Model Company until paid for in full. Goods may only be returned by prior arrangement at the recipients' expense. Delivery and insurance charges are non-refundable. Claims for damaged/missing items should be made within seven days of receipt.

Any products purchased 'second hand’, (without proof of direct Milicast Model Company supply, or supply from an Milicast Model Company approved dealer, shop or agent), or any products part assembled or part worked on in any way, are not covered by this returns policy. Under these circumstances no returns will be accepted, however we may quote for the supply of parts to restore the product to full inventory.

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