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Panzer I Ausf. C

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This article is about a variant of Panzer I tank. For the main variant, see Panzer I.
Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. C
Panzer I Ausf. C
TypeLight tank
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service1943-1945
Used byNazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Designed1939–1942
ManufacturerKrauss-Maffei and Daimler-Benz
Produced1942
No. built40[1]
Specifications
Mass8 tons
Length4.19 m (13 ft 9 in)
Width1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Height1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Crew2; commander and driver
Armor10–30 mm (0.39–1.18 in)
Main
armament
7.92mm Einbauwaffe 141 anti-tank rifle
Engineliquid cooled Maybach HL 45P 6-cylinder inline engine
150 hp (110 kW)
Power/weight18.8
SuspensionIndividual torsion bar
Operational
range
300 km (190 mi) on-road
110 km (68 mi) off-road.
Maximum speed 79 km/h (49 mph)

The Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. C, also known by its prototype name VK 6.01[a],[2] was a German light tank from the Second World War. Although the Panzer I Ausf. C was formally designated as a modification of the Panzer I, it was actually a completely new vehicle[citation needed]. This variant has little similarity with earlier Ausf. A and B variants - one of the main distinctions being the use of the Schachtellaufwerk inter-leaved track wheels which was used in many later German tanks during the war.

History

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Development of Panzer I Ausf. C was started in the autumn of 1939 by Krauss-Maffei and Daimler-Benz on the instructions of the Wehrmacht to create a light airborne tank. From July to December 1942, 40 Panzer I Ausf. C units were produced (serial numbers 150101 - 150140), including 6 prototypes. Two tanks were deployed to the Panzer I Division.[3]

Design

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The chassis design was influenced by Krauss Maffei earlier work with halftracks including the 8-ton Sd.Kfz. 7 halftrack.

The turret armament was the Mauser E.W. 141 semi-automatic gun derived from the MG151 cannon and firing the 7.92 mm Patrone round as used in German anti-tank rifles such as the Panzerbüchse 38 and Panzerbüchse 39. The gun was unique to this tank,[4] chosen as it could not carry a 20mm cannon. The gun could fire at up to 100 rounds per minute but lacked in penetration. Although this tank proved not to be effective against similar armored tanks, it was proven to be able to clear small arms and halt defending forces during Operation Barbarossa.

Notes

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  1. ^ The designation meaning Vollketten ("fully tracked") 6-tonne class, prototype number 1
  1. ^ Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.C (Sd.Kfz.101) (VK6.01) - Tank Encloypedia
  2. ^ Dorn, Johannes (2023-07-17). "Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.C (Sd.Kfz.101) (VK6.01)". Tank Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  3. ^ Franco, Lucas Molina (August 19, 2006). Panzer 1: The Beginning of a Dynasty. AF Editores. p. 38. ISBN 9788487314438.
  4. ^ Jentz 2002, p. 1-148

References

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  • Кощавцев, А; Князев, М (2000). Лёгкий танк Panzer I. Бронеколлекция № 2 (29) / 2000 (in Russian) (3800 экз ed.). Moscow: Моделист-конструктор.3800 экз&rft.pub=Моделист-конструктор&rft.date=2000&rft.aulast=Кощавцев&rft.aufirst=А&rft.au=Князев, М&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Panzer I Ausf. C" class="Z3988">
  • T. L. Jentz (2002). Panzerkampfwagen I Kl.Pz.Bef.Wg. to VK 18.01. Panzer Tracts No. 1-2. Boyds, MD: Panzer Tracts. ISBN 0-97084-078-0.
  • Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf. C: Kniepkamp's Latecomer tankarchives.ca
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