Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) | |
---|---|
![]() Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. S at the German Tank Museum | |
Type | Light tank |
Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
Service history | |
In service | 1939–1945 (Nazi Germany), 1938–1970 (Peru)[1] |
Used by | |
Wars | |
Production history | |
Designer | ČKD |
Manufacturer | ČKD |
Produced | 1939–1942 |
No. built | 1,414 (for Germany) |
Specifications | |
Mass | 9.725–9.85 tonnes (9.571–9.694 long tons; 10.720–10.858 short tons) |
Length | 4.61 m (15 ft 1 in) |
Width | 2.14 m (7 ft 0 in) |
Height | 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) (overall) |
Crew | 4 |
Armor |
|
Main armament | 37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8 |
Secondary armament | 2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns |
Engine | Praga Typ TNHPS/II water-cooled, 6-cylinder gasoline engine 123.3 hp (125.0 PS; 91.9 kW) |
Power/weight | 13.15 PS/tonne |
Transmission | 5 + 1 Praga-Wilson Typ CV |
Suspension | leaf spring |
Ground clearance | 0.40 m |
Fuel capacity | 220 litres (58 US gal) |
Operational range |
|
Maximum speed |
|
The Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), originally known as the ČKD LT vz. 38, was a tank designed during the 1930s, which saw extensive service during World War II.[3] Developed in Czechoslovakia by ČKD, the type was adopted by Nazi Germany following the annexation of Czechoslovakia.[3] With the German Army and other Axis forces, the type saw service in the invasions of Poland, France and the USSR.[3] Production ended in 1942, when its main armament was deemed inadequate.[4] In all, over 1,400 Pz. 38(t)s were manufactured.[4] The chassis of the Pz. 38(t) continued to be produced for the Marder III (1942–1944) with some of its components used in the later Jagdpanzer 38 (1944–1945) tank destroyer and its derivative vehicles.
The (t) stands for tschechisch, the German word for Czech; the Czechoslovak military designation was LT vz. 38 (Lehký tank vzor 38, Light Tank model 38).[3] Manufacturer's designations included TNH series, TNHPS, LTP and LTH.[3] The special vehicle (Sonderkraftfahrzeug) designation for the tank in Germany was Sd. Kfz. 140.[5]