Panzer Tracts No.5-1

Pz.Kpfw. Panther Ausführung D

If you’re a serious student or modeler of WWII German armor, you very likely have a few copies of various Panzer Tract books in your reference library. The Panzer Tracts series of books have long been known as a trusted, authoritative source of rock solid information on German armor of WWII. 

This book is a new revision to the original 2003 volume on the Panther Ausf. D. To say it’s merely a revision is a significant understatement, as this new volume has quite a considerable amount of content added, including 50+ more pages and 60+ more higher resolution photographs. In addition, the text has been rewritten with the latest information available as well.

Vital Statistics

Format - hardcover, portrait format

Page Count - 122 heavyweight pages

Size - 9” x 11.5”

Photos - 102 high resolution period B/W images

Tables / drawings / diagrams - 40 pages of scale drawings of overview and detail views, several data tables

All text and captions are in English.

What's between the Covers?

Above - the volume’s Table of Contents

This volume contains upwards of 100 period photographs, all quite crisp and sharp, enabling details to be clearly made out. Most of the images were taken under good conditions at the factories or proving / testing grounds. 

Throughout the volume, photograph sizes are of a uniform generous size, being half page or better. As seen above right, interior views are provided as well as the many exterior views at the Panther D.

Four different factories were contracted to build the Panther Ausf.D, either the entire vehicle or select components. Production tables (seen above right) give the data including hull numbers, and units produced by month.

Above - some outstanding images are provided show the machinery that built these complex fighting vehicles.

The photo captions give a good amount of information on what is pictured throughout the volume.

The scale drawings found throughout the book are a big part of the attraction of the Panzer Tracts books, but in addition to those, there are many other worthwhile drawings (such as the one shown above) and diagrams to be seen in these pages.These other illustrations enhance the overall usefulness of these books.

Above - two outstanding looks at the Panther D turret interior. The component labels on the bottom view are quite useful!

Above - the classic line drawings that the Panzer Tracts books are legendary for. Taken from original factory drawings, these highly detailed scale drawings are generally considered to be the Gold Standard for reference plans. There are 40 pages of these scale drawings contained in this volume, most in 1/35 scale, with some in 1/10 and 1/20 scales as well.

Above - in addition to entire vehicle plans, various components are also shown in detail, such as those seen above.

Changes / modifications to the Panther D during the production run are discussed in great detail; the changes themselves and the reasons for them are very well explained.

Above - there are a great many interesting photographs found throughout this book, including the bottom left image of a Panther D being used at a range target in post-war Germany by the U.S. Army at the Grafenwehr Training Center. Right side - a useful table giving technical and performance data on the Panther D.

Above - even the back cover of this book is put to good use - a table outlining the timeline for changes and modifications to the vehicle is provided.

As a bonus of sorts, for any who source a copy of this book direct from the Panzer Tracts or Panzerwrecks websites, the above 23”x 33” poster containing  a complete set of 1/16 scale plans are included. Nice! 

Conclusions

This is a truly worthwhile revision to what was already a great reference work. 52 more pages than the original volume, with more (and updated) text, more and higher resolution photographs, and of course, more of the most accurate drawings in existence of this iconic tank. This is quite honestly a revision totally and entirely worthy of the effort.

Panzer Tracts works have long been known as the “Gold Standard” for reference on WWII German subjects, and to be honest, I’m more convinced of that than ever, having now reviewed this volume.

Highly Recommended / A Must Have for those with interest in the Pz. Kpfw. Panther Ausf.D

Thanks to Panzerwrecks for this review copy

Reviewed by Chuck Aleshire, AMPS Chicagoland

AMPS 2nd Vice President, Midwest Region

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