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The German Panther tank was probably one of the finest tanks built by any country during WWII (an honor it shares with the Russian T-34). It exemplifies a near-perfect (for its time) balance of speed, firepower, maneuverability, and armor protection. Its high-velocity 75 mm gun had good range and hitting power against most of its adversaries, while its specially designed armor made it a very tough opponent. Incoming rounds tended to ricochet off instead of penetrating, due to its sloping plates of 80 mm thickness (approximately five inches) in front and 40-45 mm (nearly three inches) on the sides and rear.
Its 45 tons were motivated by a 12-cylinder, 700-hp engine, and it was capable of a top road speed of 28 mph. The Panther's combat debut in the Battle of Kursk was marred by structural flaws and the commanders' lack of experience with its handling; however, these problems were soon resolved, and with its highly trained and dedicated crews, the Panther was used to great effect throughout the remainder of the war. It was especially effective against the Western Allies' Sherman and Cromwell tanks, and was therefore a feared and respected opponent on every front. Production of the Panther exceeded 5,000 units during the war.
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