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The '''VK 16.02 ''Leopard''''' was a planned German light [[reconnaissance vehicle]] designed from mid-1941 through to January 1943, with serial production scheduled for April 1943. It was intended to be the replacement of [[Luchs (tank)|Panzer II Ausf. L "Luchs"]]. The project was canceled in January 1943 before the first [[prototype]] was completed as it did not meet the requirements for 1944. A wooden mock up was produced but not a working prototype.
The '''VK 16.02 ''Leopard''''' was a planned German light [[reconnaissance vehicle]] designed from mid-1941 through to January 1943, with serial production scheduled for April 1943. It was intended to be the replacement of [[Luchs (tank)|Panzer II Ausf. L "Luchs"]]. The project was canceled in January 1943 before the first [[prototype]] was completed as it did not meet the requirements for 1944. A wooden mock up was produced but not a working prototype.


==Development==
==Development==
Line 54: Line 54:
In a meeting on the 13 October 1942, Hitler was informed the lighter variant design was preferred by the troops, as it would better fit the reconnaissance role, while the heavier design had too similar characteristics to the Panther, with the only difference being the smaller gun. Hitler agreed to develop only the lighter variant.
In a meeting on the 13 October 1942, Hitler was informed the lighter variant design was preferred by the troops, as it would better fit the reconnaissance role, while the heavier design had too similar characteristics to the Panther, with the only difference being the smaller gun. Hitler agreed to develop only the lighter variant.


The final design had a combat loaded weight of {{convert|21.9|t|abbr=on}}. The armor was 50&nbsp;mm sloped at 50 degrees on the front, 30&nbsp;mm on the sides and rear, 16&nbsp;mm deck and from 16 to 25&nbsp;mm belly plates. The planned armament was the [[5 cm KwK 39|5 cm Kw.K.39/1 L/60 cannon]], the same that was used on late [[Panzer III]]s. The engine was the Maybach HL 157 rated at 550 horsepower. In order to increase cross-country performance, the VK 1602 was fitted with 660&nbsp;mm wide tracks, the same that were used on the Panther.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jentz|first1=Thomas|last2=Doyle|first2=Hilary|title=Panzer Tracts 20-2|date=2002|publisher=Panzer Tracts|isbn=0970840772|page=60}}</ref>
The final design had a combat loaded weight of {{convert|21.9|t|abbr=on}}. The armor was 50&nbsp;mm sloped at 50 degrees on the front, 30&nbsp;mm on the sides and rear, 16&nbsp;mm deck and from 16 to 25&nbsp;mm belly plates. The planned armament was the [[5 cm KwK 39|5 cm Kw.K.39/1 L/60 cannon]], the same that was used on late [[Panzer III]]s. The engine was the Maybach HL 157 rated at 550 horsepower. In order to increase cross-country performance, the VK 1602 was fitted with 660&nbsp;mm wide tracks, the same that were used on the Panther.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jentz|first1=Thomas|last2=Doyle|first2=Hilary|title=Panzer Tracts 20-2|date=2002|publisher=Panzer Tracts|isbn=0970840772|page=60}}</ref> Soon after the Leopard project would be completely discontinued.


A turret similar to that of the Leopard, yet smaller with armor thinner and at lower angles, were later put on the [[Sd.Kfz. 234]]/2 "Puma" armored car.
A turret similar to that of the Leopard, yet smaller with armor thinner and at lower angles, were later put on the [[Sd.Kfz. 234]]/2 "Puma" armored car.
Line 86: Line 86:
* Spielberger, Walter (2012) "Spezial-Panzerfahrzeuge des Deutschen Heeres"
* Spielberger, Walter (2012) "Spezial-Panzerfahrzeuge des Deutschen Heeres"
* Sowodny, Michael (1998) "German Armored Rarities 1935-1945"
* Sowodny, Michael (1998) "German Armored Rarities 1935-1945"
*Wiki.wargaming.net from February 21 2017


{{WWIIGermanAFVs}}
{{WWIIGermanAFVs}}

Revision as of 11:57, 18 September 2021

VK 16.02 Leopard
Typelight tank
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In serviceNever produced only wooden mock up
Production history
DesignerM.A.N. / MIAG / Daimler-Benz
Designed1942
Variants2
Specifications (as designed)
Mass21,900 kilograms (48,300 lb)
Length4.74 metres (15 ft 7 in)
Width3.1 metres (10 ft 2 in)
Height2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in)
Crew4
Armor16–50 mm
Main
armament
5 cm KwK 39 (planned)
Secondary
armament
7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns
EngineMaybach HL 157 P
550 horsepower (410 kW)
TransmissionMaybach OG 55 11 77 semi-automatic
SuspensionTorsion bar
Ground clearance500mm
Operational
range
500 kilometres (310 mi) (on roads), 300 kilometres (190 mi) (cross-country)
Maximum speed 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph) on roads, 30 kilometres per hour (19 mph) cross-country
Steering
system
Multi-stage

The VK 16.02 Leopard was a planned German light reconnaissance vehicle designed from mid-1941 through to January 1943, with serial production scheduled for April 1943. It was intended to be the replacement of Panzer II Ausf. L "Luchs". The project was canceled in January 1943 before the first prototype was completed as it did not meet the requirements for 1944. A wooden mock up was produced but not a working prototype.

Development

Development started in 1941 under M.A.N., which took inspiration from their VK 30.02 design, creating an even more armored, albeit smaller, vehicle, with 80 mm (3.1 in) sloped frontal armor (at the time the Panther prototype only had 60 mm frontal armor). As the Panther project gained importance, Wa Prüf 6 decided to remove the VK 16.02 project from M.A.N. to help them meet deadlines for the Panther project, handing it to MIAG and Daimler-Benz, with the responsibility for the hull to MIAG, and the turret and armament to Daimler-Benz.

Two variants were initially being designed, a lighter one weighing 18 tons and a heavier one weighing 26 tons, but in June 1942 Hitler decided to continue development on only the heavier one, as he deemed protection from enemy anti-tank guns a priority.

In July 1942 MIAG presented a more refined design that was accepted into production, which was planned to start in April 1943, with plans of 20 vehicles per month starting from October 1943.

In a meeting on the 13 October 1942, Hitler was informed the lighter variant design was preferred by the troops, as it would better fit the reconnaissance role, while the heavier design had too similar characteristics to the Panther, with the only difference being the smaller gun. Hitler agreed to develop only the lighter variant.

The final design had a combat loaded weight of 21.9 t (21.6 long tons; 24.1 short tons). The armor was 50 mm sloped at 50 degrees on the front, 30 mm on the sides and rear, 16 mm deck and from 16 to 25 mm belly plates. The planned armament was the 5 cm Kw.K.39/1 L/60 cannon, the same that was used on late Panzer IIIs. The engine was the Maybach HL 157 rated at 550 horsepower. In order to increase cross-country performance, the VK 1602 was fitted with 660 mm wide tracks, the same that were used on the Panther.[1] Soon after the Leopard project would be completely discontinued.

A turret similar to that of the Leopard, yet smaller with armor thinner and at lower angles, were later put on the Sd.Kfz. 234/2 "Puma" armored car.

Variants

Waffenträger Leopard - The Leopard chassis was also planned for use as the base for a 10.5 cm cannon in a Waffenträger configuration.[2][3][4]

Specifications

  • Weight: 21900 kg
  • Crew: 4 men, commander (gunner), loader, driver, radio operator
  • Engine: Maybach HL 157 P / 12-cylinder / 550 hp
  • Speed: Road: 45–60 km/h / Cross-Country: 30 km/h
  • Range: Road: 500 km / Cross-Country: 300 km
  • Length: 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
  • Width: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
  • Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 6 in)
  • Armament:
  • Ammo:
    • 50mm: 50 rounds
    • 7.92mm: 2400 rounds
  • Armor: 16–50 mm

References

  1. ^ Jentz, Thomas; Doyle, Hilary (2002). Panzer Tracts 20-2. Panzer Tracts. p. 60. ISBN 0970840772.
  2. ^ "World of Tanks Wiki Wooden model of the 10,5cm Waffentrager Leopard". wiki.wargaming.net. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  3. ^ Chamberlain, Peter; Doyle, Hilary; Jentz, Thomas (1993). Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 157. ISBN 1854092146.
  4. ^ Spielberger, Walter (2012). Spezial-Panzerfahrzeuge des Deutschen Heeres. Motorbuch Verlag. p. 108. ISBN 3613034875.

Sources

  • Jentz, Thomas & Doyle, Hilary (2002) "Panzer Tracts 20-2"
  • Chamberlain, Peter & Doyle, Hilary & Jentz, Thomas (1993) "Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two"
  • Spielberger, Walter (2012) "Spezial-Panzerfahrzeuge des Deutschen Heeres"
  • Sowodny, Michael (1998) "German Armored Rarities 1935-1945"
  • Wiki.wargaming.net from February 21 2017

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