Despite this the overall design remain described by some as 'overengineered'. Key elements of the Panther design, such as its armour, transmission, and final drive, were simplifications made to improve production rates and address raw material shortages. The Panther was far cheaper to produce than the Tiger I. The Panther proved to be effective in open country and long-range engagements. The trade-off was weaker side armour, which made it vulnerable to flanking fire. While having essentially the same Maybach V12 petrol (690 hp) engine as the Tiger I, it had more effective frontal hull armour, better gun penetration, was lighter and faster, and could traverse rough terrain better than the Tiger I.

It is considered one of the best tanks of World War II for its excellent firepower, protection and mobility although its reliability in early times were less impressive. Nevertheless, it served alongside the Panzer IV and the heavier Tiger I until the end of the war. The Panther was intended to counter the Soviet T-34 medium tank and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV. In contemporary English-language reports it is sometimes referred to as the 'Mark V'. On 27 February 1944 it was redesignated to just PzKpfw Panther, as Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral 'V' be deleted. It was used on the Eastern and Western Fronts from mid-1943 to the end of the war in May 1945. 171, is a German medium tank of World War II. The Panther tank, officially Panzerkampfwagen V Panther (abbreviated PzKpfw V) with ordnance inventory designation: Sd.Kfz.

Gas powered post driver 3 inch