REVIEW: GW PANTHER- THE GERMAN DRACULAR

 

Historical Info

In 1942, German designers started the development of a new series which would utilize chassis and components of various tanks and use them as mountings for various heavy weapons. Designs of the Grille Series incorporated many new technical modifications in order to mount heavy weapons. Some vehicles of the Grille Series were designed to be weapon carriers - Waffenträger. Some of those vehicles reached prototype stage, but none of them entered production that was planned for mid 1945. The Grille 12/15 was to be based on a Panther chassis. Originally, the Grille 10 was built based on the order for heavy anti-tank vehicles to be armed with the 88mm Flak L/56 gun and be used against fortifications of the Maginot Line. In June of 1940, a change of technical specifications occurred: the vehicle build by Krupp was modified to be a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. It was based on the Pz Sf IVc chassis. The original anti-tank vehicle, designated as 8.8cm K(PzSfl) auf Sonderfahrgestell, was to be armed with the 88mm Pak 43 gun, but only a wooden model was made. In late 1942, three prototypes were made: the Versuchsflakwagen für 8.8cm Flak 37. In 1944, they were re-armed with the 88mm Flak 41 guns and designated the Versuchsflakwagen für 8.8cm Flak 41. A single example was re-armed again with the 88mm Flak 37 and sent for tests to Italy, where it served with Heeres Flakartillerie Abteilung (Sf.) 304, and was assigned to the 26th Panzer Division.

 



The G.W. Panther is a German tier 7 self-propelled gun.
Developed by the Krupp company in 1943 and 1944. A scale model of the SPG was built, but no full-size prototypes were ever produced.
The GW Panther is highly maneuverable for a tier 7 SPG, which allows easy relocation in the event of detection. It is nicknamed "Dracula", due to its Dracula cape-like armor on the rear and side of its gun.

Pros:

• Insane accuracy
• Quick reload
• Decent acceleration and top speed
• Wide firing arc, one of the highest of any non-turreted SPGs in the game
• Has maybe the best self-defense capabilities out of all tier 7 SPGs

 

Cons:

• Not the best camouflage value
• Now slow hull traverse speed, along with the Hummel in 8.6.
• Average damage compare with others tier 7 SPGs

 

Tactics

 

The SPGS are played in a particular way compared to other tanks, here are some basic rules.
Find a safe location, usually the corners of the map behind a rock or a bush, it is crucial not be detected by opponent scouts who can possibly reach the area of your base

Use the T button to indicate to your team mates the enemy that you are aiming so that they won’t enter in the explosion area and maybe maintain line of sight with the target to give you a hand.

If the target is stationary, target it back slightly, due to the trajectory of the shells you have a greater chance of hitting it in this way that with a perfect centered aim.
If it is moving aim a bit forward based on its speed, is not easy and requires time and practice.

You can take advantage of the splash damage produced by your shots to hit a target hidden behind a rock or an house

Some priorities of engagement:
-enemies approaching to your location, it is essential to keep you alive to help your team.
-enemies with few hp
-Spg, destroyer, heavy and then the rest
-targets that do not move

 

Equipment (Recommend)

-Camouflage Net: increases camouflage by 25% when the tank isn’t moving for 3 seconds
-Artillery Shell Rammer: -10% reload time of weapons
-Enhanced Gun Laying Drive: -9% time required to stabilize the aim

Retrieved from http://wiki.worldoftanks.com/G.W._Panther