![]() In theory, the tank would achieve a maximum speed of 67 km/h. The 6-tonne light tank was only a chassis at first with a 6-cylinder Maybach HL 54 TRM engine, torsion bar suspension, and lubricated tracks. The first concept that was actually contracted was the VK6. The VK5 program was abandoned due to the concept being too unrealistic to actually construct. It was only in 1941 after the Battle on Crete and the huge losses of Panzer I Ausf.A and Bs in the Soviet Union combined with the previously named factors, that the need for this new Panzer I really arose. Regardless, both the Panzer I Ausf.A and B still played an important role during the early years of the war in spite of their detractors. Lastly, the top speed of both the Ausf.A and B could be improved, and since in Kniepkamp’s eyes this was the most important aspect of a tank, he was dismissive of them. Furthermore, as had become apparent during the Spanish Civil War, the armament of only two 7.92 mm MG 13 was no longer adequate. Perhaps unsurprisingly, by 1939, the suspension and technical parts had become outdated, even after the introduction of the upgraded Ausf.B version. The Panzer I Ausf.A’s development started as early as 1930. To understand why such a new Panzer I was even needed, one must know why the old Panzer I was no longer seen as valuable by the Army in 1939. The chassis design was almost the same, with only a reduced speed of 75 km/h. By April 1938, this design evolved into a light tank concept with an estimated weight of 5.5 tonnes, hence the designation VK5. This would give the chassis a theoretical maximum speed of 80 km/h. It included a torsion bar suspension with four large road wheels on each side, a Maybach NL 38 engine, and lubricated tracks. Note here the idea to use a torsion bar suspension was first introduced for the concept. ![]() Krauss-Maffei’s first concept for such a light tank was the VK3 t (the 3 standing for 3 tonnes), developed in January 1938. ![]() Kniepkamp decided to work with Krauss-Maffei, a German firm already heavily involved in the production of the Sd.Kfz.6-9 half-track series and therefore already familiar with interleaved suspensions. In May 1937, Kniepkamp once again sent a letter to Krupp informing them that up to ten other firms had shown interest. However, Krupp did not agree to it initially, as they wanted more freedom for their ideas during the development of the design. In February 1937, Kniepkamp wrote a letter to Krupp proposing a production and development contract. However, it could have been useful during fast retreating or advancing situations. In difficult-to-drive-through terrain such as mud, the high speeds were not as useful because the tank had to drive at a medium pace to not get stuck in the mud. Nevertheless, this fixation on high speed was not as valued by the army, as high speed could only be achieved in very favorable conditions and on roads. Additionally, he wanted the latest engine design installed and a power-assisted semi-automatic transmission. In his mind, the requirements for such a tank were the use of large road wheels without return rollers and a torsion bar suspension. To create his ideal tank, Kniepkamp wanted to design a light tank to achieve maximum speed. Heinrich Ernst Kniepkamp played a major role in German tank development over several decades. However, this is not to be confused with other VK projects that had nothing to do with the development of Kniepkamp’s tank. Kniepkamp believed that a tank should maximize firepower and the highest possible speed, while armor protection was less important. ![]() The developed chassis were classified as VK ( Vollketten, Eng: fully-tracked) by the Army, which meant they were experimental. In 1937, after Heinrich Ernst Kniepkamp, an engineer at Wa Prüf 6, had already succeeded with the development of half-tracks, he started his next big project that would become in his eyes the best light tank. 1-2 Context: Development of the “Perfect” Tanks – The early VK series Panzer I Ausf.C, VK6.01 in front of the Krauss-Maffei factories in late 1942. They saw action on the Eastern Front and Normandy with partial success due to their excellent mobility but limitations with the armament and armor protection. In the end, they were only used in combat as regular light tanks. With the first tanks completed in late 1942, they came too late to perform their intended role of being an airborne tank. Initially developed by Ernst Kniepkamp, before Krauss-Maffei took over, the Panzer I Ausf.C was based on the concept of a fast and maneuverable light tank that could outperform all other tanks in terms of speed. The Panzer I Ausf.C was a German light tank prototype that was part of the VK series of tanks. ![]()
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