The Panzerkampfwagen I (PzKpfW I) was a light tank produced in Germany in the 1930s. The Panzer I was built in several variants and was the basis for a number of variants listed below.
Designations
Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.A ohne Aufbau Krupp Traktor LaS
(LaS - Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper) Tracked training vehicles. Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.ALaS (Vs.Kfz.617), MG Panzerwagen (Vs.Kfz.617), (Sd.Kfz.101)
Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.BLaS Maybach, (Sd.Kfz.101)
Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.B ohne Aufbau Instandsetzungskraftwagen I
Utility / recovery and repair vehicle
Panzerjäger I
4,7cm KPÚV vz. 38 antitank gun on a converted Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B chassis. Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.F Panzerkampfwagen I nA Verstärkt, VK1801, VK1802 30 built by Krauss-Maffei in 1942. 15cm sIG33(Sf) auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B Sturmpanzer I, Bison 15 cm sIG 33 heavy infantry gun on Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B chassis. Kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen kl.Pz.Bef.Wg., (Sd.Kfz.265) Command vehicle based on Ausf.A chassis. Ladungsleger auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.B prototype demolition charge carrier based on the Ausf.B Abwurfvorrichtung auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.B production demolition charge carrier based on the Ausf.B Brückenleger auf Fgst Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A based on Ausf.A chassis. Flammenwerfer auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.AA field modification in North Africa ca. 1941, based on Ausf.A chassis. Flammenwerfer auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf BA field modification in Spain ca. 1936–9, based on Ausf.B chassis. Munitionsschlepper auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.AGerät 35 (Sd.Kfz.111) Ammunition carrier based on Ausf.A chassis. Munitionsschlepper auf Pz.Kpfw.Ia Munitionsschlepper auf Pz.Kpfw.Ib Fahrschulwanne Ausf.A ohne Aufbau used for driver training.
Glossary
Sd.Kfz. - Sonderkraftfahrzeug - Special vehicle
Pz.Sp.Wg. - Panzerspähwagen – Reconnaissance tank/vehicle
VK - Vs.Kfz - Versuchskampffahrzeug – Research/experimental fighting vehicle
Ausf. - Ausfuhrung - Mark or sub-type
Pz.Kpfw. - Panzerkampfwagen – Tank
(Sf) - Selbstfahrlafette – Self-propelled
PaK – PanzerKanone – Anti-tank gun
LeFh - Leichte Feldhaubitze – Light Field Howitzer
Gefechts Aufklärer - Combat reconnaissance
(Flamm) – Flammenwerfer – Flame-thrower
verstärkt – Strengthened / improved / upgraded
Fahrgestell – Chassis
Gerät – Apparatus
ohne Aufbau – without superstructure / turret
Bergepanzerwagen – Armoured recovery vehicle
Brückenleger – Bridge-layer
LaS - Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper - Agricultural tractor
Flakpanzer - Anti-aircraft artillery tank
Munitionsschlepper - ammunition carrier
Fahrschulwanne- Driving school car
Panzerbefehlswagen - command tank
Sturmpanzer - Infantry support artillery tank
MG Panzerwagen - machine gun combat vehicle
nA - neuer Art - new article / re-designed
Panzer I light tanks
Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf A
Originally known as MG Panzerwagen (V Kfz 617) and given the Sonderkraftfahrzeug designation Sd.Kfz.101, the Ausf A was armed with two machine guns in a small turret. The 450 production tanks saw service from 1934 to 1941, last seeing action in Finland.Alkett VsKfz 617/NK-101 Minenräumer in display at the Kubinka Military Museum Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf B After initial service the Ausf A was found to be underpowered and the engine prone to overheating. A more powerful engine was fitted and the superstructure transferred to the longer chassis of the kl Pz Bef Wg to produce the Ausf B, a.k.a. LaS Maybach, seeing service from 1935 to 1943, latterly as a command tank. Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf C The Ausf C light tracked reconnaissance vehicle, a.k.a. PzKpfW I nA or VK601, was a comprehensive re-design of the Pz I, with little commonality with earlier Ausfuhrungen introducing the Schachtellaufwerk (inter-leaved track wheels) used in many later Panzers. One of the machine guns was replaced by a semi-automatic Einbauwaffe 141 anti-tank rifle chambered in 7.92×94mm Patronen, giving it limited anti-armor capability. Forty Ausf C were built, two being sent to the Eastern Front for evaluation, the remainder were in action during the Normandy invasion of 1944. Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. F The Ausf F heavily armoured infantry assault tank (MG armed), a.k.a. PzKpfW I nA verstärkt or VK1801, was an up-armoured Pz I with the Schachtellaufwerk (inter-leaved track wheels) of the Ausf C, and a turret mounting two machine-guns. Thirty Ausf F tanks were built between April and December 1942, eight of which were sent to the Eastern Front for evaluation.