VK30.02

The VK30.02, also known as the VK30.02 (DB), was a tank developed by the German army in WW2. It never went into production but much of it was used in the Panther tank.

Development
The designation for the tank was decided by the German Government, being designated VK30.02. Two companies were approached to produce an example to meet their broad specifications. Daimler Benz would produce VK30.02 (DB) and Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg would produce VK30.02 (MANN). A number of other companies were involved, or producing other tanks for the German government. The requirements were for a fast heavy medium tank able to defeat the newly appeared Russian T-34 tank on the Eastern front. One tank developed was Daimler Banz's VK30.02 tank. A tank was made, and while being simple and easy to produce, the German government preferred the tank produced by Mann Industries. This was a prototype Panther, which went into production. While the Panther was similar to the T-34 in shape, the VK30.02 sloped front was similar, but overall, it was closer to earlier German tanks. Some sources say that one prototype was produced, others say that Daimler Benz produced three slightly different versions.

Specifications
VK30.02 was a fast, nimble tank weighing 34 tons. Its main armament was the 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 42 L/70 gun. It had a crew of 5, and its armour ranged between 10mm and 80mm. It was a fast tank, with a top speed of 57 kilometres per hour, and a range of 195 kilometres.

Operational use
One prototype was produced and it did not see service. The prototype did not survive the war.