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Germany's Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf L, Luchs ("Lynx"), SdKfz 12310
Panzerspähwagen II (PzSpWg II)10 :
PzKpfw II Ausf L Luchs: |
Design
Daimler-Benz was given the specifications in 1938 to increase the speed of the PzKpfw II.8
It had the standard PzKpfw II turret, except it didn't have the cupola or vision ports.7 It did have two periscopes installed in the roof.7 The superstructure extended out over the tracks allowing for a larger turret.7
It had five sets of interleaved bogie wheels.7,8
Last 35 (another source says 317,11) vehicles had 50 mm KwK 39 L/60 gun7.
Used a FuG12 and a FuG Spr a radio.3
Prototype
A prototype for a vehicle that emphasized speed was delivered in April 1942. In late 1942 the Germany Army developed a prototype of a fast reconnaissance vehicle, the VK1301.7 It became the PzKpfw II Ausf L, then later called the Luchs.7
Production
An order was placed for 800, but only 131 were constructed between 1943 and January 1944.7
- PzKpfw II Ausf L, Luchs: 1003,10, 1317,11, 135
- Production: - May 194311, 1942 - May 12,1943, 1943 - 194410, 1943 - January 19447, September 1943 - January 19443
- Chassis #s: 200101-2002003
- Manufacturer: MAN3,10
- Turret and superstructure: Daimler-Benz7
- Chassis: MAN7
Usage
Saw action in Russia and France. Standard equipment of reconnaissance battalions of panzer divisions until 1945.7
| Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf L, SdKfz 123 "Luchs" | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, radio operator, driver 34, 43,7,10,11 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 26,400 lb 11.8 tons4,7,8,11, 13 tons3 |
| Length w/gun | 15' 2"7,11, 15' 2.5", 15.4'4, 15' 5"8 4.63 m3,7,11 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 6' 11.8"11, 7'7, 7.08'4, 7' 1"8, 7' 3" 2.13 m7,11, 2.21 m3 |
| Width | 8' 1.875", 8' 2"7,11, 8.25'4, 8' 3"8 2.48 m3, 2.49 m7,11 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | 1' 4" 0.34 m |
| Ground contact length | 2.2 m |
| Ground pressure | 0.75 kg/cm2 |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 20 mm KwK 1: 20 mm KwK 3011 20 mm KwK 38 L/553 20 mm OR 50 mm4 20 mm KwK 30 L/557 20 mm KwK 3810 20 mm (1st 100 produced)8 50 mm L/60 (last 35 produced)8 Late models: 50 mm L/60 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 1: 7.92 mm MG11 7.92 mm MG343,10 |
| MG - Coaxial | 7.92 mm MG34, coaxial7 MG, coaxial8 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 3303,7,11 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2,2503,7, 2,55011 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 10 - 304 Front: 308 Sides: 208 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 3011, 20@0°, 20@90°7, 30@10°3 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 20@90°7, 30@25°, 30@22°3 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 3011, 20@0°3, 20-30@85-90°7 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 20@0°3 |
| Hull Rear | 20@30°, 20@28°3, 20@60°7 |
| Hull Top | 1311, 13@90°, 10@86-90°3 |
| Hull Bottom | 10@90°3 |
| Turret Front | 3011, 30@20°, 30@10°3, 30@80°7 Mantlet: 30 round3 |
| Turret Sides | 20, 15@20°, 15@70°7, 20@21°3 |
| Turret Rear | 20@20°, 20@21°3, 20@70°7 |
| Turret Top | 13@80-90°, 12@79-90°3, 13@0-10°7 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Mayback HL 66 P3,7,8 |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | |
| Cylinders | 68, R-67 |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | 1807,8,11 |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | |
| Transmission (Type) | Syncromesh, SSG 46 6 forward3, 1 reverse3 |
| Steering | |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | |
| Electrical system | |
| Ignition | |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline7 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | 52 gallons7 236 liters7 |
| Road consumption | 95 liters per 100 km |
| Cross country consumption | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, hand3 |
| Max speed | 37 mph7, 37.3 mph11, 37.5 mph4,10, 38 mph8 60 kph3,7,10,11 |
| Cross country | 26 mph7, 28 mph 42 kph7 |
| Road radius | 93 miles7, 155 miles11 150 km7, 250 km11, 290 km3 |
| Cross country radius | 59 miles7, 93 miles11 95 km7, 150 km11 |
| Turning radius | |
| Elevation limits | -9° to +°3 |
| Fording depth | 1.32 m |
| Trench crossing | |
| Vertical obstacle | |
| Climbing ability | |
| Suspension (Type) | Torsion Bar10 |
| Wheels each side | 58 |
| Return rollers each side | 08 |
| Tracks (Type) | |
| Length | |
| Width | 2' 2.2"11 0.36 m11 |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | |
| Pitch | |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread | 6' 9.5"11 2.07 m11 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Panzers At War, Michael and Gladys Green, 2005
- Airfix Magazine Guide #8 German Tanks of World War 2, Terry Gande and Peter Chamberlain, 1975
