Uralvagonzavod delivered the first two prototypes in December 1942 and March 1943. The T-43 suffered some delays due to having a low priority. The T-43 was four tons heavier than the T-34/76 and it was seen and conceived as a replacement for both the KV-1 and the T-34, a “universal model” aimed at mass-production. The Soviet Main Directorate of Armored Forces (GABTU) ordered the Morozov Design Bureau to go back to the drawing board and his team created the T-43, combining a reshaped hull with increased protection, torsion beam suspension, a brand new gearbox and a new three-man turret with a new all round vision commander cupola. By 1942, the Panzer IV Ausf.F2, armed with a high-velocity 75 mm (2.95 in) gun, was already a threat and triggered reports which were well-known inside the Stavka. The Russians didn’t wait for the German response. At the same time, the Tiger combined thick armor with the devastating power of the 88 mm (3.46 in) gun. It combined sloped armor, superior in thickness to the Russian tank, large tracks with new interleaved wheels to ease ground pressure, better optics and the KwK 42 gun. The Panther had its origins deeply tied to the T-34, with all lessons from the Eastern Front well learned. Both the T-34 and the KV-1 combined excellent armor with a potent gun, while the T-34 also had great mobility and was easily mass-produced.

From their work emerged two new models, the Panzer V “Panther” and the Panzer VI “Tiger”.

If you spot anything out of place, please let us know!Īfter reports about the new Russian tanks had reached the OKH, German engineers were sent back to the drawing board under the pressure of many generals and the full support of Hitler himself. Hello dear reader! This article is in need of some care and attention and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It kept the original F-34 gun until 1943, despite the appearance of many new AT gun types, new versions of the Panzer IV with a high-velocity gun (which became the German primary tank) and the appearance of many tank-hunters based on obsolete tank chassis, such as the StuG III, an assault gun built on the Panzer III chassis. The T-34/76 was designed in 1940 as a multi-purpose vehicle, intended to take advantage of breakthroughs in enemy lines. Medium Tank – 55,000 Built The Soviet response to the Panther

T-34-85 Medium Battle Tank