LK I
German light tank prototype
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Leichter Kampfwagen (English: light combat vehicle) or "LK I" was a German light tank prototype of the First World War. Designed to be a cheap light tank as opposed to the expensive heavies coming into service at the time, the tank only reached the prototype stage before the end of the war.
| Leichter Kampfwagen LKI | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Light tank |
| Place of origin | German Empire |
| Service history | |
| Used by | German Empire |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6.89 t |
| Length | 5.08 m |
| Width | 1.95 m |
| Height | 2.52 m |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armor | 8–14 mm |
Main armament | 1 × 7.92 mm MG 08 machine gun |
| Engine | Daimler-Benz 4-cylinder 60 hp (44.7 kW) |
| Suspension | unsprung |
Operational range | 70 km |
| Maximum speed | 14–18 km/h |
History
The LK I was designed by Joseph Vollmer. It was based on a Daimler car chassis, with the sprocket and idler wheels mounted to the existing axles, and, like a car, had the engine in front. The LK I was the first German tank to have a turret, with it being mounted at the rear of the vehicle and armed with a 7.92 mm MG08 machine gun. Armor ranged from 8mm to 14mm thick and it was powered by a 4-cylinder Daimler-Benz Otto Model 1910 engine which gave it a top speed of 14 km/h and a range of 70km.[1]
Only two prototypes were produced in mid 1918, but no vehicles were ordered.[2] Designed as an experimental cavalry tank, it paved the way to the LK II.[3]