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Panzer V Panther - Germany: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Explore the best illustrated books on German Panzer V Panther tanks. Discover the history, models and evolution of tanks from Germany.

Panther Tank Manual: Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (SdKfz 171) - An insight into the design, construction and operation (Haynes Military Manual)

The German Panther is arguably the finest medium tank of the Second World War and one of the greatest ever built. Combining unmatched firepower, armour protection and mobility it was the primary nemesis of the Russian T-34 tank on the Eastern Front.

Pages of the book Panther Tank Manual: PzKpfw V Panther (SdKfz 171) (1)

Pages of the book "Panther Tank Manual: Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (SdKfz 171) - An insight into the design, construction and operation"

Author Mark Healy looks at the development, construction and fighting qualities of the Panther, as well as including insights into what it was like to operate and maintain. He focuses on the surviving Panther Ausf. A at the German Armour Museum, Münster, and the UK Tank Museum's Panther Ausf. G.

Pages of the book Panther Tank Manual: PzKpfw V Panther (SdKfz 171) (2)

Product details

Author:Mark Healy
Details:192 pages, 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.59 in (27.5 x 21.5 x 1.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:250+ b&w and color photos, drawings
Language:English (technical dictionaries in 19 languages are available for free download here)
Publisher:Haynes Publishing (GB, 2019)
Series:Haynes Military Manual
ISBN:9781785212147
Book cover: Panther Tank Manual: Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (SdKfz 171) - An insight into the design, construction and operation | Haynes Military Manual | Haynes (GB)

Panther Tank Manual: Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (SdKfz 171) - An insight into the design, construction and operation

Language: English

Nurnberg's Panzer Factory - A Photographic Study

An illustrated study of the vehicles designed, developed and produced at the MAN plant in Nürnberg during the period 1934-1945. Although the production of trucks was, and remains, an important factor in the company's success, it was MAN's experience designing armoured fighting vehicles during the '30s and early '40s that led to the Pz.Kpfw. V Panther in 1942 for which it is most renowned during WWII.
The Panther would be designed, tested and produced in several models before war's end, and all phases would be captured on film by the company photographer. Here are the crystal clear photos he took showing Panther interiors, prototype testing, proving ground trials, assembly lines, and, at the end, the damage inflicted by Allied bombing raids. But that's not all.
Recently discovered information sheds new light on the production of Panthers at the plant in the final months of the war, including the surprise addition of a new assembly firm to Panther production. The repair, refurbishment and conversion of other armoured vehicles is also examined, with much new information being presented here for the first time. Of the 222 photographs selected to illustrate this book, most are unpublished, a fitting tribute to the innovations born at Nürnberg's Panzer Factory.
This is an unmissable book for trackheads of all types. It graphically shows the development of MAN vehicles for use by the German military. The coverage of the various versions of Panther is exquisite. All presented with Panzerwrecks hallmark quality and style. Foreword by Hilary Doyle. A colour map of the factory site by Simon Vosters accompanies the book.

Chapters: Historical Overview - Rearmament - Early Panzer Development - Repair and Refurbishment - The Panther - Destruction of the Factory - Empty Shells - Nürnberg's last Panthers - Suppliers.

Product details

Author:Roddy MacDougall, Darren Neely
Details:223 pages, 8.25 x 10.6 x 0.79 in (21 x 27 x 2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:222 b&w photos
Language:English
Publisher:Panzerwrecks (GB, 2013)
ISBN:9781908032065
Book cover: Nurnberg's Panzer Factory - A Photographic Study | Panzerwrecks

Nurnberg's Panzer Factory - A Photographic Study

Language: English

Panther on the Battlefield

Contains more than 100 pictures of the Panthers Ausf.D, A and G in German service. Large format photos, one to a page, mostly unpublished.

Pages of the book Panther on the Battlefield (1)

Pages of the book "Panther on the Battlefield"

Product details

Author:Matyas Panczel
Details:112 pages, 8.5 x 11.6 x 0.47 in (21.5 x 29.5 x 1.2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:105 b&w photos
Language:bilingual (English + Hungarian)
Publisher:PeKo Publishing Kft. (HU, 2014)
Series:World War Two Photobook Series (6)
ISBN:9789638962355
Book cover: Panther on the Battlefield | World War Two Photobook Series (6) | PeKo

Panther on the Battlefield

Language: English + Hungarian

American Panther Tanks : An Examination of the Five Surviving Panzer V Tanks including the Rare Panther II

'American Panther Tanks' sounds a strange title for a book, but currently there are five surviving WW2 German Panther tanks in America. It is believed that fourteen captured Panzer V Panther tanks were shipped to the United States after the Second World War. Most were cut up and scrapped after being used for testing and targets on live firing ranges.

The Panzer V Ausf. A Panther tank at the American Heritage Museum, Hudson, Massachusetts, near Boston, has been completely restored to a very high standard. The other four Panther tanks are at Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia, under the care of the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection (U.S. AACC). They are awaiting their turn to be restored.

The first four chapters briefly cover the development and production of the Panzer V Panther tank from the first version, the Ausf. D, to the second version the Ausf. A and to the final production version the Ausf. G, using photographs from other surviving Panther tanks around the world.

The fifth chapter explores the design history of the Panther II prototype hull. Only one was built. The remaining chapters are dedicated to a photographic walk-around of the surviving Panther tanks in America.

Product details

Author:Craig Moore
Details:112 pages, 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.51 in (27.5 x 21.5 x 1.3 cm), paperback
Illustrations:386 b&w and color photos
Language:English
Publisher:Fonthill Media (GB, 2021)
ISBN:9781781558041
Book cover: American Panther Tanks : An Examination of the Five Surviving Panzer V Tanks including the Rare Panther II | Fonthill

American Panther Tanks : An Examination of the Five Surviving Panzer V Tanks including the Rare Panther II

Language: English

Foreign Panthers - The Panzer V in British, Soviet, French and other service 1943-58

The Panther was arguably the most successful medium tank design of World War II, demonstrated by the number of Germany's enemies that used them after, and even during the war.
While some were used by the Western Allies, the Russians used the greatest number of captured Panthers against Nazi Germany, though they did not find much favour thanks to their mechanical unreliability and difficulty in acquiring spare parts.

After the war, they were mostly passed on to satellite states such as Bulgaria and Romania. The French army also used them in significant numbers after the war with approximately 50 in service from 1946 to 1950, and they were a significant influence on future French tank design.

Using detailed artwork and contemporary photographs, this fascinating book tells the little-known story of the Panther tank in foreign hands in World War II and beyond.

Product details

Author:Thomas Seignon, M.P. Robinson, Henry Morshead
Details:48 pages, 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.31 in (24.5 x 18.5 x 0.8 cm), paperback
Illustrations:b&w photos, drawings in color
Language:English
Publisher:Osprey Publishing (GB, 2022)
ISBN:9781472831811
Book cover: Foreign Panthers - The Panzer V in British, Soviet, French and other service 1943-58 | Osprey

Foreign Panthers - The Panzer V in British, Soviet, French and other service 1943-58

Language: English

Panther

The German Panther is one of the most famous, and greatest, tanks of World War II. Often considered the most elegant tank design of the war, it embodied a balance of firepower, armour protection, and mobility unmatched by any other tank of the period.

This new study by German armour expert Thomas Anderson draws upon original German archival material to tell the story of the birth of the Panther in response to the Soviet tanks encountered in 1941.
He then analyzes its success on the battlefield and the many modifications and variants that also came into play.

Illustrated throughout with rare photographs and drawings, many of which have never been published in English before, this is a unique history of one of the most famous tanks of World War II.

Product details

Author:Thomas Anderson
Details:176 pages, 9.8 x 7.9 x 1.06 in (25 x 20 x 2.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:many photos and drawings
Language:English
Publisher:Osprey Publishing (GB, 2017)
ISBN:9781472827036

Panther Medium Tank 1942-1945 (Osprey)

The Panzerkampfwagen V Panther is one of the best-known German tanks in existence and is considered one of the greatest tanks of World War II. When in June of 1941, Germany invaded Russia, Panzertruppe encountered KV series and T-34/76 tanks, far superior in firepower and armour protection to any Panzer in service at the time. It was therefore decided to design a new more powerful medium tank, which could be quickly put into production.

This book details the result, the Medium Battle Tank, available for service in January 1943. Later models ensured that it became one of the most feared tanks of WWII.

Contents: Development history - Panther Model D - Panther II - Panther Model A - Panther Model G - Panther Model F - The Panther Assessed - Colour plate commentary - Index.

Product details

Author:Stephen Ashley Hart
Details:48 pages, 9.8 x 7.3 x 0.16 in (25 x 18.5 x 0.4 cm), paperback
Illustrations:photos and drawings (in b&w and color)
Language:English
Publisher:Osprey Publishing (GB, 2003)
Series:New Vanguard (67)
ISBN:9781841765433
Book cover: Panther Medium Tank 1942-1945 | New Vanguard (67) | Osprey

Panther Medium Tank 1942-1945

Language: English

Panther on the Battlefield (2)

PeKo's second look at the German Panther tank, by Péter Barnaky. High quality pictures of the Panther Ausf.D, A and G on the battlefield.

Pages of the book Panther on the Battlefield (2) (1)

Pages of the book "Panther on the Battlefield (2)"

Product details

Author:Peter Barnaky
Details:112 pages, 8.5 x 11.8 in (21.5 x 30 cm), hardback
Illustrations:105 b&w photos
Language:bilingual (English + Hungarian)
Publisher:PeKo Publishing Kft. (HU, 2016)
Series:World War Two Photobook Series (11)
ISBN:9786158007290
Book cover: Panther on the Battlefield (2) | World War Two Photobook Series (11) | PeKo

Panther on the Battlefield (2)

Language: English + Hungarian

Panther Tank - History, design, specifications, combat performance

In the early years of World War II the German panzer divisions swept aside all Allied opposition as they swarmed through Poland and France in the Blitzkrieg campaigns. However, during the German invasion of the Soviet Union in July 1941, the advancing German tanks met the Soviet T-34, which could deflect any German tank weapon. A new tank was required that could fight the T-34 on equal terms - thus the Panther was born.

By the time of the German surrender in 1945, more than 5500 Panthers had been built. The Panther Tank follows the Panther's development and production, detailing not only its technical specifications but also its service at, among other battles, Kursk and in Normandy, in the words of the soldiers who fought in it. Specification tables provide manufacturing details, while comparative tables allow the reader to make at-a-glance assessments of how the Panther matched its rivals.

Authoritatively written and featuring 70 photographs, fully annotated cutaway artworks, three- and four-view profile artworks and tables, Panther Tank tells the story of World War II's finest all-round tank and will have a strong appeal to anyone interested in twentieth century military history.

Product details

Author:Dr Matthew Hughes, Chris Mann
Details:96 pages, 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.31 in (28.5 x 21.5 x 0.8 cm), paperback
Illustrations:70 photos and 70 drawings
Language:English
Publisher:Amber Books Ltd (GB, 2018)
ISBN:9781782746829
Book cover: Panther Tank - History, design, specifications, combat performance | Amber

Panther Tank - History, design, specifications, combat performance

Language: English

Panther Tank: The Panzerkampfwagen V in World War II (Legends of Warfare)

Developed to counter the Soviet T-34, Germany's Panther tank featured sloped armor and a powerful 75 mm gun. Introduced in 1943, it was intended to become the standard medium tank of the German Army. Despite its strong firepower and effective armor, the Panther faced challenges due to production disruptions and high drivetrain maintenance demands.
Produced in three variants by MAN, Daimler-Benz, and MNH, approximately 6.000 Panthers were deployed on the Eastern Front, in Italy, and from Normandy to Berlin.
This expanded edition of the author's earlier work includes nearly 250 photographs, offering a detailed visual account of the Panther from production to battlefield deployment.

Product details

Author:David Doyle
Details:128 pages, 9 x 9 x 0.75 in (24 x 24 x 1.9 cm), hardback
Illustrations:245 b&w and color photos
Language:English
Publisher:Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2022)
Series:Legends of Warfare
ISBN:9780764364778
Book cover: Panther Tank: The Panzerkampfwagen V in World War II | Legends of Warfare | Schiffer

Panther Tank: The Panzerkampfwagen V in World War II

Language: English

Panther Variants 1942-45 (Osprey)

The Panther Medium Tank was produced as a direct result of early experiences with the revolutionary Soviet T-34/76. Designers and military experts combined to produce a number of variations to provide armoured support for the many branches of the German army. Whether acting as a command communications vehicle, involved in mobile air defence as a flakpanzer, a Panzer division recovery vehicle, or utilising the turret as a static defence system, the Panther in its many forms was the mainstay of Germany's plan to keep her enemies at bay on two fronts.

This book, the product of 25 years of research, examines the numerous Panther variants in detail.

Contents: Introduction - Development History - Bergepanther - Fixed Fortifications - Proposals for the Artillery - Proposals for Artillerie Selbstfahrlafette - Proposals for Flakpanzer.

Product details

Author:Hilary L. Doyle, Thomas L. Jentz
Details:48 pages, 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.16 in (24.5 x 18.5 x 0.4 cm), paperback
Illustrations:photos and drawings (in b&w and color)
Language:English
Publisher:Osprey Publishing (GB, 1997)
Series:New Vanguard (22)
ISBN:9781855324763
Book cover: Panther Variants 1942-45 | New Vanguard (22) | Osprey

Panther Variants 1942-45

Language: English

Panther vs Sherman - Battle of the Bulge 1944 (Osprey)

In this book Steven J Zaloga offers a fascinating comparison between the two most important tanks involved in the crucial fighting of 1944, the American Sherman and the German Panther. Placing the reader in the heart of this battle between quality and quantity Zaloga uses a compelling account of the ferocious fighting during the Battle of the Bulge to explain the successes and failures of each tank, highlighting the fact that a tank can only be as good as its crew, weighing up the impact of low morale, high cost and mediocre crew training on the Panther's superiority.
With full-colour battlescenes, technical drawings, photographs, digital gunsight views, extracts from crew training manuals and real combat reports, this book brings the titanic battles between the Panther and Sherman to life.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and development - Technical specifications - The strategic situation - The Combatants - Combat - Statistics and analysis - Aftermath conclusion.

Product details

Author:Steven J. Zaloga
Details:80 pages, 9.8 x 6.7 x 0.24 in (25 x 17 x 0.6 cm), paperback
Illustrations:photos and drawings (in b&w and color)
Language:English
Publisher:Osprey Publishing (GB, 2008)
Series:Duel (13)
ISBN:9781846032929
Book cover: Panther vs Sherman - Battle of the Bulge 1944 | Duel (13) | Osprey

Panther vs Sherman - Battle of the Bulge 1944

Language: English

Panther vs T-34 - Ukraine 1943 (Osprey)

Robert A Forczyk provides a riveting and intense description of the design and development of these two deadly opponents, the Panther and the T-34, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses and describing their tactics, weaponry and training. Moreover he gives an insight into the lives of the tank crews themselves, who were caught up in the largest land conflict of World War II, in some of the most important engagements in the history of warfare.
Innovative digital artwork and first-person perspectives place the reader in the midst of a duel between the titans of the Soviet and German armed forced in a ruthless and relentless death match that would determine the war on the Eastern Front and, indeed, the fate of Nazi Germany.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and development - The Strategic Situation - Technical Specifications - The Combatants - Combat - Statistics and analysis - Aftermath - Bibliography.

Product details

Author:Robert Forczyk
Details:80 pages, 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.28 in (24.5 x 18.5 x 0.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:photos and drawings (in b&w and color)
Language:English
Publisher:Osprey Publishing (GB, 2007)
Series:Duel (4)
ISBN:9781846031496
Book cover: Panther vs T-34 - Ukraine 1943 | Duel (4) | Osprey

Panther vs T-34 - Ukraine 1943

Language: English

The Panther Tank : Hitler's T-34 Killer - Rare photographs from Wartime Archives (Images of War)

On the Eastern Front the German army needed to counter the Red Army's robust and utilitarian T-34 which began to appear in every-growing and eventually decisive numbers. The Panther, the German response, was rapidly conceived and produced under extraordinarily difficult wartime conditions.

With its sloping armour and a high-velocity 75mm gun, it proved to be a better medium tank than its predecessor the Mk IV, it was more versatile than the heavyweight Tiger and it was superior to most of the Allied tanks it faced. It also had an important influence on subsequent tank design.

In this comprehensive study of a remarkable fighting vehicle, Anthony Tucker-Jones uses over 100 archive photographs, along with a selection of colour profiles, to describe its design, development and operational record.

Product details

Author:Anthony Tucker-Jones
Details:144 pages, 9.7 x 7.5 in (24.5 x 19 cm), paperback
Illustrations:100+ b&w and color photos
Language:English
Publisher:Pen & Sword Books Ltd (GB, 2016)
Series:Images of War
ISBN:9781473833609
Book cover: The Panther Tank : Hitler's T-34 Killer - Rare photographs from Wartime Archives | Images of War | Pen & Sword

The Panther Tank : Hitler's T-34 Killer - Rare photographs from Wartime Archives

Language: English

Panzer V Panther und seine Abarten (Spielberger)

The Panzerkampfwagen V Panther, the best combat vehicle of the Second World War, appeared on the battlefield in 1943. It impressed with its mobility, its armor protection and, not least, the firepower of its on-board cannon - all criteria that still determine the combat value of a modern battle tank today.
If you consider that the period from the first concept to the first test vehicle was less than a year, this achievement by the German army and armaments departments and industry is unique in history.

The fact that, despite all the technical difficulties that were inevitable with such an advanced design, the vehicle could still be used successfully is only thanks to the tireless efforts of all those involved. It was they who often broke new technical ground and had only one thing in mind day and night: to give the struggling troops an outstanding combat vehicle.
This was achieved in a convincing manner. Inspired by the Soviet T 34, the progressive ideas of German tank development were combined in a solution whose influence is still groundbreaking today.

Pages of the book Panzer V Panther und seine Abarten (Spielberger) (1)

Pages of the book "Panzer V Panther und seine Abarten"

The Panther influenced the development of modern battle tanks more than any other German combat vehicle. The purpose of this book is to document the origins and development of the Panther and its variants in a scientifically sound manner.

Pages of the book Panzer V Panther und seine Abarten (Spielberger) (2)

Product details

Author:Walter J. Spielberger, Hilary L. Doyle
Details:280 pages, 10.4 x 9.1 in (26.5 x 23 cm), hardback
Illustrations:362 b&w and 11 color photos, 207 drawings
Language:German
Publisher:Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2018)
Series:Spielberger
ISBN:9783613031654
Book cover: Panzer V Panther und seine Abarten | Spielberger | Motorbuch

Panzer V Panther und seine Abarten

Language: German

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Book cover: Elefant, Jagdtiger, Sturmtiger - Variations of the Tiger Family

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