Forces Of Valor 1/32 German Panther AUSF. G # 80082

Panther was the common name of a medium tank fielded by Nazi Germany in WW II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945. It was intended as a counter to the T-34, and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV; while never replacing the latter, it served alongside it as well as the heavier Tiger tanks until the end of the war. The Panther's excellent combination of firepower, mobility, and protection served as a benchmark for other nations' late war and immediate post-war tank designs, and it was frequently regarded as one of the best tank designs of WW II.After a complex and difficult development program which included problems with the vehicle's transmission, steering, gun, turret and fuel pump, the Panther was readied for participation in the Wehrmacht's 1943 summer offensive in the East. Despite ongoing rebuilding and further teething troubles, the DEMAG factory entrusted with the rebuild program managed to deliver 200 Panthers to the Eastern Front in time for its operational debut in the Battle of Kursk. Inevitably, their troublesome gestation and the limited training of their crews severely hampered the Panthers' contribution to the battle.The lessons, however, were quickly absorbed into the production lines and influenced the later Ausf. Ds, as well as the improved Ausf. A and the later Ausf. G. Improvements included stronger, lower-profile commander's cupolas, rain guards on the gun mantlet, zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste and, on the Ausf. G, a simplified and strengthened hull. Given the production difficulties and internal politics of German weapons manufacture, the Panther tank was inevitably a compromise of various requirements. While sharing essentially the same engine as the Tiger I tank, it had better frontal armor, better gun penetration, was lighter overall and thus faster, and could handle rough terrain better than the Tigers. The tradeoff was weaker side armor. The Panther proved to be deadly in open country and shooting from long range, but vulnerable to close-quarters combat.FEATURES Constructed of both die cast metal and plastic.Chassis, turret and barrel are metal.Hatches open.Elevating barrel.Tracks roll.Rotating turret.Working treads.Accurate markings and insignia.Comes with two soldier figures.No ties or screws for 2013 new packaging, double blister construction.DIMENSIONS Length: 11 inchesWidth: 4.5 inchesHeight: 3.75 inchesWeight: 1.4 lbs.Ages: 14+