Of all the Jagdpanzers (hunting tanks) that the Germans designed and put into service during World War Two, the Jagdpanther was certainly the best of them all. Built on the famous Panther G chassis that was left unchanged, the superstructure was a continuation of the Panther's slopping hull. This formed a roomy fighting compartment. For a fighting vehicle of this size and weight from being well armoured, the Jagdpanther was fast, maneuverable and possessed a relatively low profile.

The main armament of the Jagdpanther was a Pak 43 88mm gun with 3,708 fps of muzzle velocity that could penetrate 226mm of armour at 500 yards. It's slopped 80mm thick front and 60mm thick sides offered formidable protection. The manlet, the collar around the gun were it exits the body, was 100mm thick.

Production began in December 1943 and ceased in March 1945 with only 382 being built. Despite this low number available for action, they quickly made their presents known and racked up many kills for it's time in service. Tank ace Hermann Bix accounted for 75 tanks destroyed in a three week period when he was assigned the command of a Jagdpanther from a Panther.

Not much heavier than the Panther, an improved gearbox was added to take the extra weight. The gun could traverse 11º left or right with 8º of elevation. The first Jagdpanthers produced could be identified by its welded manlet opposed to the latter bolted style as well as the latter version's two piece main gun that made changing it easier when it became worn.