Heavily armoured VK1801 infantry assault tank
(machine-gun armed)
Further development of the Pz Kpfw I, with
the heaviest possible armour as the main design feature. The initial order of
30, given on 22 December 1939, was filled, but an additional order for 100 was
cancelled before production began. The final development vehicle, the VK1802,
was built with the VG15319 pre-selector gearbox.
The Ausf F had a 'Schachtellaufwerk'
(interleaved suspension) with overlapping road wheels and a torsion bar
suspension. Its 80mm frontal armour was impenetrable by most anti-tank guns of
the period. The commander had 5 periscopes set in the turret roof for vision to
the front and sides, plus a binocular telescope for sighting the machine-guns.
Vision for the driver was provided by a sliding shutter visor in the
superstructure front, and a periscope mounted in the hull roof, on the driver's
left side.
The vehicle had numerous features very
advanced for its day. Visibility for the commander was provided via five
periscopes in the turret roof. The driver was provided with a vision slit much
like the one used later on the Tiger I. Entry and exit from the hull of the
vehicle was provided via two circular doors cut into the side of the hull. This
position necessitated deletion of a fender for that section of the hull.
Eight were issued to the 1st Panzer Division
early in 1943 and taken to Russia for combat evaluation in the summer of 1943. Some
were also issued to 12th Panzer division as well. Photographic evidence of at
least one in use by Polizei-Panzer-Kompanie (neu) and 1./Pz.Abt.z.b.V.66, a
unit originally formed to storm the Island of Malta. Three of the vehicles
survived the war. One was captured by U.S. forces in German and taken to
Aberdeen Proving Ground. Two other Panzer I Ausf. F still survive in the former
Eastern Bloc. One resides in an outdoor museum in Belgrade while the other is
in the Russian Armor Museum at Kubinka.
Manufacturer: Krauss-Maffei
Chassis Nos.: 150301-150330
30 produced from April to December 1942
Crew: 2 Engine: Maybach HL45P
Gearbox: 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed (km/hr): 25
Range (km): 150
Weight (tons): 21.0
Radio: FuG5
Length (metres): 4.38
Width (metres): 2.64
Height (metres): 2.05
Armament: Two 7.92mm MG34
Traverse: 360 ° (hand)
Elevation: -10° +20°
Sight: TZF8
Armour: 80mm—25mm
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