CORGI

Series WW II Collection - Adversaries

CC60202 – PANTHER Ausf A, Panzerbefehlswagen (Command Version)

Wehrmacht – 16^th Panzer Division, Sicily, Italy 1943/44*

Limited Edition of 6,000 (COA paper #4213)

Die Cast

Scale 1:50 (size L 7", H 2.75", W 2.5")

MSRP $56.00

You Save 33%

Released: 2003

“SOLD OUT” – no longer available from the manufacturer

This model of famous German Panther tank is a rare Command Version (Panzerbefehlswagen or als Pz Bef Wg)  and in my best knowledge the only such model issued by Corgi.   One Panther model issued in their "Legends" series was anounced as a command tank but I don't believe it has a "star" type antena that is simply a must for any command version tank of German army with exeption of early Pz II and III tanks.

This model was a part of the new CORGI Series “World War II Collection” that was introduced in 2003.   This brand new line of military vehicles from the WW II era featured highly detailed with outstanding quality paint job die cast models in 1/50 scale.  The collection presents vehicles that fought on both sides on different fronts.   All models were issued as limited edition and accompanied by a COA paper and a booklet that presents a history, pictures and some technical information about the vehicle.

The picture is from Corgi and shows a pre-production model, the actual model has a correct commander cupola with a mount for a MG34 machine gun.

PANTHER Tank Development History

Panzerkampfwagen V Ausf D (Sd Kfz 171) Panther was developed by the Germans as a respond to Russian T-34/76 tank that was a superior to any German Tanks before introduction of the famous deadly Tiger heavy tank in late 1942, which however was to expensive, difficult for manufacturing and maintenance, slow and had limited range. Germans desperately needed something else that was realized in a Panther (medium) tank, which featured thicker slopped armor, that significantly increased protection, armed with long barrel high velocity 75 mm gun that allowed to kill any Allies medium tank on a distance well beyond 1,000 yards.

Hitler ordered the development of new tank in 30-ton class after a study had been made by Germans of Russian T-34.  The vehicle should be similar to the T-34.  The order was issued on November 25, 1942.  Development of chassis was given to MAN and Daimler-Benz and Rheinmetall-Borsing was responsible for the development of a turret.  Original preferences were for the Daimler-Benz project VK3002(DB), which closely followed the layout of the Russian T-34 and should be powered by a diesel engine.  Daimler Benz was ordered 200 units, however in May 1942 after comparing the statistics and prints Hitler changed his mind and ordered MAN project into production.  The new tank was rushed into production with the goal of 250 to be built by the May 1943 when the Germans planned to start the Summer Offensive.

The new tank became known as the “Panther “.  Originally it was a troublesome tank, numerous problems were discovered after tanks arrived on the Eastern Front.  However, necessary changes and upgrades were made and the tank becomes arguably the best overall tank of the WW II.  Though medium tank according to German classification this 43 tons (increased to 44.8 for Ausf A and 45.5 for Ausf G) tank was similar in armour and armament to heavy tank standards of Allies armies.  Three major modifications (Ausf.) D, A and G were in production during the war with F, which was dramatically improved version, was ready but didn’t entered into mass production.   850 of Ausf D were produced from January to September 1943. 

Ausf A

In August of the same year the second series of the Panther entered into production, unusually for Germans designation system this was designated as Ausf A.   This variant share similar basic design with Ausf D but a series of modifications and improvements were made in order to improve performance and reliability.  Changes were made through entire tank.  Among those that can be seeing on the model are: the hull letter-box flap MG port was replace with the ball-mount, new commander cupola was introduced, an episcope was installed for the loader on the right side of the turret roof, the small ammunition loading hutch and latter during production the turret pistol ports were eliminated, the roof mounted “Nahverteidgungswaffe” (close-defense weapon) was installed, during the production binocular telescope was gradually replaced by the monocular.   The number of wheel-rim bolts was doubled exhaust was modified.   Series of mechanical improvement were made in order to improve dependability of the drive-train.  Frontal armor on the turret increased from 100 to 110 mm.

Type: heavy medium tank

Other Designations: Panther I, VK3002, Pz Kpfw Panther (Ausf A)

Manufacturer:  MAN, Daimler-Benz, Demag, MNH

Production:  2,000 produced from August 1943 to May 1944

Crew:  5

Weight :  44.8 tons

L 8.86m /29’ 0.8”, W 3.42m / 11’ 2.6”, H 2.98 m / 9’ 9.33”

Speed: 46 km/h 28 mph

Range: 200 km / 121 miles

Armament: 7.5cm KwK42 L/70 high velocity gun w/79 rounds of ammunition and two 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns w/5,100 rounds of ammunition.

Armor: (mm/degree Turret front 110/11, rear and side 45/25

Hull upper 80/25, side 40/40 bottom 16/90; lower 60/55, side 40/0, rear 40/30, top/bottom 30-16/90

Panther Ausf A was supplied to all branches of Nazi German armed forces and fought on Eastern and Western fronts with many units remaining is service until the end of the war.

Command Version – Panzerbefehlswagen Mit 7.5cm KwK42 L/70

Other designation Pz Kpfw Panther (Sd Kfz 171) (als Pz Bef Wg).

Germans realized the importance of command and observation vehicles on the early stages of the war and produced a substantial number of such vehicles.

329 units were converted from Pz Kpfw Panther of all varriants from May 1943 to February 1945 and 41 Panzerbeobachtungswagen (Beob Wg) converted from Panther in late 1944/1945 for Panther units.

Pz Bef Wg were fitted with second radio, installation of such radio required additional space so the number of carried ammunition for the main gun was reduced to 64 and while on D and A ammunition for machine guns still 5,100 rounds on G it was reduced to 4,800 rounds.  All command units were equipped with two additional antennas: a star type aerial in the center rear of the engine deck, and a 1.4m rod on the right side of the turret roof. 

Beob Wg were converted from rebuilt Panther tanks and went through mach more extensive modifications.  The main 7.5cm gun was removed and replaced w front armor plate on which a dummy gun and ball-mount MG 34 were mounted.  Such units were equipped with stereoscopic range –finder, a Blockstelle 0 range-plotting table and other instruments for use with artillery observation.