Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. A

[David]

The Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. A (Sd.Kfz.101) German light tank was not well protected and had insufficient firepower, but stayed in service until 1942, when was reverted to its original role as training and logistical vehicle. Panzer I A can be easily identified by its external girder linking the road-wheels, the last three of four with the idler. In 1933, the Heereswaffenamt ordered the development of Kleintraktor - an armored vehicle between 4 and 7 tons in weight. It was designated La.S (Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper / LaS - agricultural tractor) to hide its true purpose from the Treaty of Versailles. Rheinmetall, Krupp, Henschel, MAN and Daimler Benz submitted their prototypes, which were very similar to each other, but Krupp's design of Krupp-Traktor was selected. In the summer of 1933 it was decided to mount Krupp’s chassis with Daimler-Benz’s superstructure and turret. After further tests in February of 1934, the improved LKA 1 (LaS), designated as PzKpfw I Ausf A, entered production in April of 1934. Originally, Ausf A was known as MG Panzerwagen - Versuchkraftfahrzeug 617 before it entered production. In April, 15 PzKpfw I Ausf A were produced and all were presented to Adolf Hitler by Heinz Guderian. The Panzerkampfwagen I was produced in two main very similar variants Ausf A (1934) and Ausf B (1935). The Ausf A was produced from July of 1934 to June of1936 by Henshel, MAN, Krupp-Gruson and Daimler-Benz. It proved to be underpowered and its very loud 57hp Krupp engine overheated, and Ausf B with its 100hp Maybach engine was an improved version of Ausf A. Both models had identical turrets and superstructure, but Ausf B was longer with additional roadwheel and had a modified engine deck with a new engine. Both variants were operated by a two men crew - a driver and a commander/gunner. The main armament consisted of two 7.92mm MG13 Dreyse (medium) or MG-34 machine guns with rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute. Later in 1935/36, Panzer I Ausf A was experimentally mounted with Krupp M601 diesel engine, but it could only produce 45hp of power, and the idea of diesel powered vehicle was rejected. Both Ausf A and Ausf B were also produced as turret-less tanks used for training purposes (PzKpfw I Ausf A ohne Aufbau) and as maintenance vehicles. 102 Ausf A models saw service with Condor Legion and General Franco’s Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War. By: Etmal

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Country :	Germany
Role :	Light Tank
Production Date :	July 1934
Manufacturer :	Henschell MAN Krupp-Gruson Daimler-Benz
Number Produced :	818
Crew :	2
Radio :	FuG 2
Road Speed :	40 Kilometers per Hour
Rough Speed :	16 Kilometers per Hour
Road Range:	145 Kilometers
Off-Road Range:	97 Kilometers
Engine Name:	Krupp M305
Coolant :	Air
Cylinders:	H-4
Capacity:	3.5 Liters
Power :	57 hp @ 2500 rpm
Power / Weight Ratio :	10.56 hp per tonne
Transmission :	ZF Aphon FG 35
Gears :	5 Forward / 1 Reverse
Suspenion :	Helical & Leaf Spring
Fuel Type :	Gasoline
Fuel Capacity:	145 Liters
Road Consumption:	1 Liters per Kilometer
Off-Road Consumption:	1.49 Liters per Kilometer
Length :	4.02 meters
Height :	1.72 meters
Width :	2.06 meters
Weight :	5400 kilograms
Ground Clearance :	29 centimeters
Ground Pressure :	0.4 kg/cm²
Track Links :	84 per track
Track Width :	28 centimeters
Track Ground Contact :	247 centimeters
Gradiant :	30°
Vertical Obsticle :	0.36 meters
Fording Depth :	0.58 meters
Trench Crossing :	1.4 meters
Turning Radius :	2.1 meters
Main Gun :	2x 7.92mm MG 34
Gunsight :	TZF 2
Primary Magnification :	2.5x magnification / 28° Field of View
Traverse :	360° (Hand)
Elevation :	+18° / -12°
Main Gun Ammo :	2225
Secondary Weapons :	None
Hull Front (Upper) :	13mm @ 68°
Hull Front (Lower) :	13mm @ 63°
Hull Sides (Upper) :	13mm @ 68°
Hull Sides (Lower) :	13mm @ 90°
Hull Rear :	13mm @ 73° & 75°
Hull Top :	6mm @ 0° - 8°
Hull Bottom :	6mm @ 0°
Turret Front :	15mm @ 80°
Turret Mantlet :	13mm @ Round
Turret Sides :	13mm @ 68°
Turret Rear :	13mm @ 68°
Turret Top :	8mm @ 0° - 8°