Sunday, March 22, 2015

Panzerkampfwagen 38 (t) mit Schwimmkörper




One of Germany's first attempts at developing an amphibious tank, the Schwimmkörper was a device built by Gebr Sachsenberg which consisted of two large pontoons that attached to either side of a Panzerkampfwagen 38 (t) tank. The tanks were specially sealed and some modification to the engine exhaust and cooling was needed. The pontoons were detachable.

The Schwimmpanzer 38 (t) was developed as a result of requirements for the proposed invasion of England late in 1940. The firm of Gebr Sachsenberg in Roslau was responsible for the flotation devices which were attached to the sides and front of the Panzer 38 (t). Water propulsion was transferred from the drive sprocket, and the floats were attached on extensions to the track support rollers. Afloat, it was capable of 10km/hr.

1 comment:

  1. Was only one prototype built, or did the Schwimmpanzer 38 (t) go into limited production? If so, did it see action on the Eastern Front?

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