LK II

Infobox Weapon|name= Leichter Kampfwagen


caption=
origin=Germany
type=Light tank
is_vehicle=yes
length=5.1 m
width=1.9 m
height=2.5 m
weight=8.75 t
suspension=unsprung
speed=14-18 km/h
vehicle_range=65-70 km
primary_armament=37mm Krupp/57mm Sokol
secondary_armament=
armour=8-14 mm
engine=Daimler-Benz 4-cylinder
engine_power=60 hp
pw_ratio=
crew=3

The Leichter Kampfwagen II ( _en. light combat car) or "LK II" was a development of the LK I with the same layout, but incorporating a rotating turret on the rear superstructure armed with a 37mm Krupp or Russian 57mm Sokol gun. Its armor was 8 to 14mm thick, which increased its total weight to 8.75 tons. Power was provided by a Daimler-Benz Model 1910 4-cylinder 55-60hp gasoline engine, giving a maximum speed of 14 to 18km/h with range of 65-70km.

A version armed with one or two 7.92mm Maxim 08/15 machine guns was also planned but progressed no farther than a project.

Only two prototypes were produced by June 1918, and were followed by orders for 580 tanks, which were never completed.

Post-war Swedish service

Following the war, the Swedish government purchased 10 examples in secrecy for the sum of 100,000 Swedish Kronas. The parts were shipped as boiler plates and agricultural equipment and then assembled in Sweden as the "Stridsvagn m/21" (Strv m/21 for short), which was essentially an improved version of the LK II prototype. The Strv m/21 was armed with a single 6.5mm machine gun.

In 1929, some were rebuilt to create the Strv m/21-29 variant which was armed with a 37mm gun or two machine guns and was powered by a Scania-Vabis engine. One of these improved vehicles was driven by Heinz Guderian during a visit to Sweden in 1929.

The Germans later bought a main share of the Landsverk Company and made Joseph Vollmer the main designer and in 1931, it produced the "Strv m/31" (L-10), which was the first tank produced in Sweden.

The Strv m/21-29 remained in service until 1938. A surviving example can be seen at the Deutsches Panzermuseum at Munster, Germany, and another one at the Axvall Tank Museum in Sweden.

ee Also

Strv m/21-29

External links

* [http://www.achtungpanzer.com/1stpzs.htm Achtung Panzer! First Panzers 1917-1918]
* [http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=93430 Stridsvagn m/21 pictures]