PzKpfw I (MG)
Ausf B Sd.Kfz. 101
In 1933 the Reichswehr issued a contract to the main firms of the
German heavy industry (Krupp, Mann, Henschel, Daimler-Benz,
Rheinmetal-Borsig) for the development of a light tank based on a Carden
Lyod chassis. The Krupp's prototype was chosen for full production, even
by the other firms.
At first, this tank was called - Landwirlshaftliger Schlepper : LaS i.e.
Agricultural tractor for security reasons, then it was officially named
Panzer I.
The
whole production of the A & B versions began in 1934 and continued
till 1939, up to 1,900 units of the Panzer 1 being produced, the majority
of which were B models.
The Panzer IB, a derivative of the A version, was fitted with a more
powerful water-cooled Maybach NL 38 TR engine. In order to fit the larger
engine, it was necessary to increase the hull and chassis sizes; besides a
road wheel was added to each side of the running gear and the rear idler -
wheels were raised from the trailing position. As a result of the
modifications the tank had a much improved ride and was relatively faster.
Different versions based on the Panzer IB chassis were produced, among
which a command tank and two self propelled vehicles armed with a 150mm
gun or a 47mm gun.
The Panzer IB was widely used by the Condor Legion during the Spanish
Civil War and later by the Wehrmacht, which employed it in the Campaign of
Poland, France and Norway, during the first years of World War two, some
units of the "B" version took part even in operation on the
African and Russian theatre.
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Specification :
Manufacturer :
Henschel, MAN, Daimler-Benz, Krupp-Gruson, Wegmann
Chassis number : 10478-16500
675 produced from August 1935 to June 1937
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Crew : 2 men
Armament : 2 x 7.92 MG - 13
Ammunition : 2,250 Patr. SmK
Traverse : 360° hand
Elevation : -12° +18°
Sight : TZF2 |
Engine : Maybach
NL 38 TR
Gear Box : 5 forwards, 1 reverse
Radio : FuG2
Weight : 5.8 Kg
Length : 4.42 m
Width : 2.06 m
Height : 1.72 m
Max. Speed : 40 Km/h
Range : 170 km |