KF51 "Panther"

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I searched KF51 here on RCTW: nothing!
Certainly some stealthy, scratchbuilding, 3D-printing, expert-texpert-choking-smoker must have come up with an RC KF51 already? No?

[Kaczor]

Nope. Even on the German RC Panzerforum

[sassgrunt]

Okay, on behalf of my brother Eric, (who's too ignorant to know the answer), what the heck is a KF51 Panther?

[Kaczor]

KF51 "Panther" is a new MBT from Rheinmetall, succesor of Leopard 2. Still under development.

[sassgrunt]

Thank you, Kaczor. Got that, Eric?

[Shagnifico]

Well we are waiting to see what it really looks like after it joins the army. Also there is not really any reference material available yet that I know of.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

There are some prototype photos on the web, easily found by Google advanced search with the term KF51 or even KF51 Panther. If I understand correctly, it's based on the Leopard 2 hull, although the turret looks like a Star Wars prop.

[Panzer Fenris]

Indeed based on the Leo 2 hull.

It's also far from the official successor of the Leopard 2. Rather it's a technology demonstrator that Rheinmetal has put out as an alternative, as KMW and Nexter seem to be going their own way with their own independent project.

It's not going to enter military service anytime soon, and not necessarily ever. We might see bits and pieces of it, or developments inspired by it, in future tank projects though.

[Dandyfunk3]

That's a pretty wicked looking tank!!