Kleine Panzerbefehlswagen1-5
kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.: General
Date of first production 1935 Total acceptances 180
Manufacturer Daimler-Benz AG Crew 3 men
kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.: Dimensions
Combat weight 13,000lbs
5900kg		 Height 78.3"
199cm
Length 174"
442cm		 Gun overhang forward 0"
Width 81.1"
206cm		 Tread 65.7"
167cm
Ground clearance 11"
29cm		 Ground pressure, zero penetration 7.5psi
.53kg/cm²
kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
7.92mm M.G.13 or M.G.34 Ball mount in superstructure right front 900 rounds Manual Manual
kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.: Armor
Assembly
Welding and bolting
Hull
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front .51"
1.3cm		 23°
Lower front .51"
1.3cm		 25°
Upper sides .51"
1.3cm		 23°
Lower sides .51"
1.3cm		 0°
Upper rear .51"
1.3cm		 20°
Lower rear .51"
1.3cm		 20°
Top .3"
.8cm		 90°
Floor .24"
.6cm		 90°
kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.: Automotive
Engine Maybach NL38TR; 6 cylinder, inline gasoline
Horsepower 100@3000rpm Fuel capacity 39gal
146L
Transmission ZF Aphon FG 31, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Clutch-brake; steering levers
kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Helical and leaf spring 1 individually sprung/track;
2 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 4/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
Front drive Adjustable at rear of track On first road wheel/track
kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.: Track
Outside guide, single pin steel
Width 11"
28cm		 Pitch 3.5"
9cm		 Shoes/track 100 Ground contact length 108"
274cm
kl.Pz.Bef.Wg.: Performance
Max level road speed 25mph
40kph		 Max trench 55"
140cm
Max grade 58% Max vertical obstacle 14"
36cm
Min turning diameter 6.9'
2.1m		 Max fording depth 24"
60cm
Cruising range ~110mi, roads
~170km, roads


Most kl.Pz.Bef.Wg. (Sd.Kfz.265) were based on the chassis that eventually became Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B, although a few were based on Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A. The normal superstructure and turret were replaced by a larger, taller superstructure capable of housing a radio transmitter as well as a receiver. Early vehicles had a split hatch in the superstructure roof, but this was later replaced with a nonrotating cupola. Fifteen millimeter (.60") supplementary armor was added to the front of the vehicle after the Polish campaign. Earlier, fifteen leichte (Funk) Panzerwagen command tanks, based on Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A, were produced, and on these vehicles the normal machine gun turret was replaced by a nonrotating superstructure. These vehicles were unarmed.

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References
  1. Chamberlain, Peter, and Hilary Doyle. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two. Technical ed. Thomas L. Jentz. London: Cassell & Co., 2000.

  2. Jentz, Thomas L. Panzer Truppen, volume 1. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 1996.

  3. Parada, George. "Achtung Panzer! - PzKpfw I." Achtung Panzer! 27 Feb 2002 <http://www.achtungpanzer.com/pz11.htm#panzer1>. Achtung Panzer!

  4. Siemers, Cary. "Germany's Panzerkampfwagen I, SdKfz 101." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 27 Feb 2001 <http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/germany/pzkpfw_i.html>.

  5. Zuljan, Ralph. "Kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen." Second World War Armor. 16 Mar 2000. 27 Feb 2002 <http://onwar.com/tanks/germany/fkleiner_pz.htm>. Second World War Armor



Last updated 27 Feb 2002.

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© Copyright 2002 Chris Conners