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The MAN design embodied more conventional German thinking with the transmission and drive sprocket in the front and a centrally mounted turret. It had a gasoline engine and eight torsion-bar suspension axles per side. Because of the torsion bar suspension and the drive shaft running under the turret basket, the MAN Panther was higher and had a wider hull than the DB design. The Tiger I Henschel design concepts of large, overlapping, interleaved road wheels with a "slack-track" using no return rollers for the upper run of track were repeated with the MAN design for the Panther. These large steel wheels added to the protection of the hull from a lateral penetrating shot.
The two designs were reviewed over a period from January through March 1942. Reichminister Todt, and later, his replacement Albert Speer, both recommended the DB design to Hitler because of its several advantages over the initial MAN design. However, at the final submission, MAN improved their design, having learned from the DB proposal, and a review by a special commission appointed by Hitler in May 1942 ended up selecting the MAN design. Hitler approved this decision after reviewing it overnight. One of the principal reasons given for this decision was that the MAN design used an existing turret designed by Rheinmetall-Borsig, while the DB design would have required a brand new turret to be designed and produced, substantially delaying the commencement of production.[7]
Albert Speer recounts in his autobiography Inside the Third Reich
Since the Tiger had originally been designed to weigh fifty tons but as a result of Hitler's demands had gone up to seventy five tons, we decided to develop a new thirty ton tank whose very name, Panther, was to signify greater agility. Though light in weight, its motor was to be the same as the Tiger's, which meant it could develop superior speed. But in the course of a year Hitler once again insisted on clapping so much armor on it, as well as larger guns, that it ultimately reached forty eight tons, the original weight of the Tiger.[8]
15 tons. Original Panzer III specification weight.
18 tons. Original Panzer IV specification weight.
30 tons. 1937 specification weight for German heavy tank.
36 tons. 1938 specification weight for German heavy tank.
.....55 ton Tiger I was vehicle placed into production during fall 1942.
30 to 35 tons. Original specification weight for Panther tank.
There's a pattern here. Every German tank larger then Panzer II ended up weighing about 50% more then specification weight. Germany had competent engineers so the reasons must be political.
Might be current events. There might be a war going on and need trumped theory.There's a pattern here. Every German tank larger then Panzer II ended up weighing about 50% more then specification weight. Germany had competent engineers so the reasons must be political.
Moving turret forward would be a problem for WWII era German tanks as most had a relatively long main gun. However putting engine and transmission in front might work.Going for 'all rear' or 'all front' layouts would dictate giving up on current German design practice
Armor
Hull Armor 60/40/40 mm
Turret Armor 80/45/45 mm
Moving turret forward would be a problem for WWII era German tanks as most had a relatively long main gun. However putting engine and transmission in front might work.
VK 30.02 (M) - World Of Tanks
VK 30.02 Panther Prototype
Apparently they build the 35 ton prototype, here are some images:
Wikipedia with the quote I gave in the OP?The tanks I've listed have also featured long barrels at front, there was not much of sticking the muzzle in the ground incidents associated with them. Not even with SU-85 or SU-100, with barrels/muzzles protruding even more at front.
Where can one read that prototype weighted 35 tons?
After the tender two prototypes have been developed, the VK.30.01 Daimler-Benz (DB) and the VK.30.02 MAN (MAN) . The proposal of the Daimler-Benz as they strongly resembled the T-34, while the MAN design was a new independent structure for German experiences and requirements. A special commission for the selection of manufacturing model suggested the design of MAN on the following grounds:
The Tower of Daimler-Benz was incomplete and not ready for production before December 1942, and the turret ring diameter 5 cm narrower than the Rheinmetall MAN tower for the model so that the DB Panther without tower was available.
The drive of the MAN Panther was the better weapons platform.
The engine room of the insular MAN Panthers allowed underwater driving without tedious preparations.
Increased radius of the MAN Panthers. [1]
For these reasons and because of the already present first results of the testing of MAN design was chosen for production. The most striking feature was the first time in a German tank inclined side surfaces. These were not a result of the investigations of the T-34, but it was previously testing with sloping armor were carried out. However, only on the drawing of a direct predecessor Panther 20:02 UK Construction (M) of 25 November 1941, which was created in response to reports of the successful Soviet tanks on the Eastern Front to recognize the armor angles and shapes of the later Panther. [2]
Moving turret forward was a no-go unless you move the track drive to the rear. You need some space for a driver there, also too much weight on the forward suspension.
BTW there must be a reason why even modern tanks have the turret in a center location.
[Where can one read that prototype weighted 35 tons?]
Wikipedia with the quote I gave in the OP?
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzerkampfwagen_V_Panther