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Most would agree that the Panther was one of the better tanks of WWII--lighter and more mobile than the Tigers, with almost as much armor and firepower, but it was still rather heavy for its armor and weaponry, in large part because it was designed with a rather high, deep hull.

The Soviets were able to "scrunch down" the hull of the T-34 and made the T-44 with it, a tank of the same weight and armament but much more armor, which directly led to the T-54, arguably the most successful medium/MBT in history. What would AFV history have been like had the Nazis or someone copying them did the same with the Panther?

So, here is the challenge. Make the hull of the Panther appreciably (let's say 10cm or more) shallower without reducing the armament or armor and maintaining the basic design (front-wheel drive, rear engine, torsion-bar suspension, mid-mounted turret).

Is it possible?

ArmchairPhilosopher

Edit: Would a lower Panther design be possible before V-E Day and would it have any particular butterflies in the war?
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