Germany's Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf E, 8/Las 138 light tank

Design

Daimler-Benz received contracts in 1938 to equip Germany's four light divisions with PzKpfw IIs. 250 were delivered from 1938 to 1939.

The hull was a scaled down version of the hull being used in the PzKpfw III that Daimler-Benz was also producing.

Intended to be Schnellkampfwagen (fast fighting vehicle).

Suspension

PzKpfw II Ausf E had different type of sprocket and idler wheel. The tracks and the torsion bar suspension were new.

Production

• Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf E; PzKpfw II Ausf E: 43, 250
  • Production: 1938 -, 1938 - May 1942, May 1938 - August 1939
  • Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz, MAN
• Flammpanzer II Flamingo: 90, 95
  • Conversion: 1939

Variants

• PzKpfw II Ausf E:
• Bergepanzer: Armored recovery.

 

Usage

Saw action in Poland, France, and Belgium.

Specifications

	Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf E
Crew	Commander (gunner), radio operator, driver 3
Radio	FuG5
Physical Characteristics
Weight	10 tons
Length	15' 2.7", 15.48', 15' 5" 4.64 m, 4.65 m
Height	6.75', 6' 7.5", 6' 9" 2.02 m, 2.06 m
Width	7' 5", 7.48', 7' 6.5" 2.3 m
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	0.29 m
Ground contact length	2.2 m
Ground pressure
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	20 mm KwK 30 20 mm KwK 30 L/55 20 mm
OR	20 mm KwK 38
Secondary
MG	1: 7.92 mm MG 1: 7.92 mm MG34 MG
Side arms
Quantity
Main	180, 180 Pzgr & Sprgr
Secondary
MG	1,425, 2,250
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	10 - 30, 14 - 30, 30
Hull Front, Upper	35, 30, 30@9°
Hull Front, Lower	30@9°
Hull Sides, Upper	14.5, 14.5@0°
Hull Sides, Lower	14.5@0°
Hull Rear	14.5@20° & 14.5@0°
Hull Top	14.5, 10@90-79°
Hull Bottom	5@90°
Turret Front	30, 14.5 round Mantlet: 16 round
Turret Sides	14.5@22°
Turret Rear	14.5@22°
Turret Top	10@76-90°
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL 62 TRM Maybach HL TR
Bore / stroke
Cooling
Cylinders	6
Capacity
Net HP	140, 140@2,600 rpm
Power to weight ratio	14 HP/ton
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	Synchromesh SSG 46 6 forward, 1 reverse 7 forward, 1 reverse
Steering
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)
Octane
Capacity
Road consumption	100 liters per 100 km
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	360°, hand
Speed - Road	34 mph, 35 mph 55 kph
Speed - Cross Country
Range - Road	124 miles, 125 miles 200 km
Range - Cross Country	80.7 miles 130 km
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-9.5° to +20°
Fording depth	0.85 m
Trench crossing	1.75 m
Vertical obstacle	42 cm
Climbing ability
Suspension (Type)	Christie, Torsion Bar
Wheels each side	4, 8
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)
Length
Width	11.8" 30 cm
Diameter
Number of links
Pitch
Tire tread
Track centers/tread	6' 3.6" 1.92 m