Leichter Kampfwagen II | |
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![]() The M/21-29 at the German Tank Museum, modified back to its original German design | |
Type | Light tank |
Place of origin | Germany |
Specifications | |
Mass | 8.75 t |
Length | 5.1 m |
Width | 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) |
Height | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
Crew | 3 |
Armor | 8-14 mm |
Main armament | 37mm Krupp/57mm Maxim-Nordenfelt |
Engine | Daimler-Benz 4-cylinder 60 hp (45 kW) |
Suspension | unsprung |
Operational range | 65–70 km (40–43 mi) |
Maximum speed | 14–18 km/h (8.7–11.2 mph) |
The Leichter Kampfwagen II ("light combat vehicle"), commonly known as the LK II, was a light tank designed and produced in limited numbers in Germany in the last year of World War I. A development of the LK I, it incorporated a fixed rear superstructure and had two distinct configurations; one variant being armed with the MG 08/15, and the other being armed with a 5.7 cm Maxim-Nordenfelt gun. Its armor was 8 to 14 mm thick, which led to a total weight of 8.75 tons. Power was provided by a Daimler-Benz Model 1910 4-cylinder 55-60 hp gasoline engine, giving a maximum speed of 14 to 18 km/h with range of 65–70 km.
The LK II was designed by German engineer and automobile designer Joseph Vollmer, who also designed the A7V, the K-Wagen and the LK I. Vollmer was appointed to the position of chief designer for the German War Department's motor vehicle section
Only two prototypes were produced by June 1918, and were followed by orders for 580 tanks, which were never completed.
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