The Panzerkampfwagen 5. Porsche A model, more commonly referred to as the Panther P .A, was built from and used from 1942-1944, until it was eventually phased out in favour of more advanced design (C, G, D models).

(The Prussian medium tank of the time before the Pzkpfw 5 design competition) the Pz 4 K, was a sturdy, well armed and well armoured tank, but the Prussian Military's Ministry of Ground Vehicles thought it lacked in both aspects and so the Panther (MAN AG) and the Panther P (Porsche) were born. The Panther (MAN) was plagued with technical issues, which were fixed by putting in a new Maybach engine, new transmission, new cooling system and new radiators (listings of technical issues and how they were overcome can be found in other documents).

The Porsche version was however a very fine machine, armed with a 75mm KwK 42/1 cannon (which could be taken out for an 88mm KWK36 and later on, a 88mm KWK 43 was designed in a casemate version of the Panther (P) G Pzkfw 5. (1943)) and 2x MG 42, with one being mounted in a new Prussian RCWS design, for anti-infantry and anti-air usage. It was also refitted as a recovery vehicle, a personnel carrier vehicle, and a mobile mortar system. It had a good top speed of 45 km/h and it could do a 360 turret traverse in less than 20 seconds.]

Prussian Ministry of Ground vehicles description and general history.

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