soc.history.war.world-war-ii

In article
<47c3a748$0$27311$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au>,
gsinclairnb@froggy.com.au (Geoffrey Sinclair) wrote:

> I really like this, yet again a German design that never made it into
> production is the industry leader it seems.

The only improvements in the Panther over the G model was the turret.
This had a reduced frontal area, with the rangefinder fitted across the
turret with bulges in the turret side. A new style mantlet and increased
frontal armour removed the shot trap in the original design. No mention
of gyro stabilisation though. It was intended for the Panther Ausf F and
the Panther II. However only prototypes of the Ausf F were built and
design of the Panther II was never finished as it was dropped in favour
of the E series. It seems the Germans did not consider it worthwhile
disrupting production lines for.

Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WW2.

> And then there is the T-34 and its similar weight replacement
> the T-44 which saw some service in 1945.

The T-44 was a failure, rushed into service with basic design problems.
Replaced by IIRC the T-50.

> The stabilisation on the Sherman gun in 1942.

Nice idea but apparently from what I can recall not that successful.

> The Pershing etc..

Late, the US could have put the M6 heavy into service in 1942-43.

Ken Young