![]() Daimler-Benz's design was rejected since it was assumed that it would cause many problems with identification of the vehicle and also proved to have poor performance and many modifications would have to be made in order to improve its faults. On May 14th of 1942, when extensive tests of both prototypes were completed, Hitler decided to put MAN's design into production. ![]() On May 11th of 1942, VK3002 project received the designation of Panther. Prototype was presented to the Fuhrer, who ordered the production of 200 to start as soon as possible. VK3002(DB)'s turret was mounted in the forward position of the hull just like that of T-34/76. MAN finished their design of VK3002 in early Spring of 1942. Daimler-Benz VK3002 design was largely based on T-34/76 and was more like a modified German version of it. Two versions of VK 3001 with different suspensions were designed by Daimler-Benz - one with spring suspension and other with torsion bar suspension. ![]() In March of 1942, Daimler-Benz was the first to produce their version of VK3002's design based on previously rejected VK3001 (direct copy of T-34/76) design from January of 1942. Rheinmetall-Borsig was in charge of the development of the turret for this new tank. In December of 1941, Wa Pruef ordered Daimler-Benz and MAN (Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nuernberg) to design new 30-ton tank armed with 75mm KwK L/70 gun as a response to the Soviet T-34/76 tank. On November 25th of 1941, Adolf Hitler ordered Wa Pruef start work on the new tank. It was then decided, because of the constant reports from the Eastern Front to design a new more powerful medium tank, which could be quickly put into production. ![]() When in June of 1941, Germany invaded Russia, Panzertruppe encountered KV series and T-34/76 tanks, which were far superior in firepower and armor protection to any Panzer at the time. The Panther and the Soviet T-34 are considered to be the best tanks of World War II. ![]() The Panzerkampfwagen V Panther, next to the PzKpfw VI Tiger, is the best-known German tank of World War II. ![]()
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