World War 2 Tank and Gun Database

Germany
PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B,C,D (Panzer 38t)

The PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B,C,D was designed in 1939, manufactured by Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG based on the existing fully tracked Czech LT Vz 38 and was in use from 1940 to 1945.

General Details

Specifications
Operational Date(s)	1940 - 1945
Quantity Produced	325
Weight	9.5 tonne
Crew	4
M.G's small	2
M.G's large(>10mm)	n/a
Length	4.61 mtr
Width	2.14 mtr
Height	2.40 mtr
Engine Details/Performance
Max Road Speed	26 mph
Max Cross Country Speed	15 mph
Range Road	156 miles
Range Cross Country	62 miles
Fuel Type	Petrol
Fuel Capacity	unknown
Horse Power	125 hp
Power/Weight	13 hp/tonne

General Information

The PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B,C,D was designed in 1939, manufactured by Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG based on the existing fully tracked Czech LT Vz 38 and was in use from 1940 to 1945.

The vehicle was powered by Praga 'EPA' petrol powerplant producing 125 HP which could drive the vehicle on roads at up to 26 mph with a range of about 156 miles before refuelling. Its cross country performance was good providing a max speed of about 15 mph and a range of about 62 miles.

It was armed with 2 light machine guns which were ZB vz.53 or MG-37(t)s and ZB vz.53 or MG-37(t). Its main armament consisted of an Skoda 37mm P.U.V. vz38 L/39 which could penetrate 42 mm of flat plate at 200 metres

Production of the Praga(TNH)LT-38 was taken over when Germany occupied Czechoslovakia, and was designated the Panzer Kampfwagen 38(t).

The version A was a German modification of the original Czech version by adding a loader and reducing the ammunition storage by 18 rounds to compensate.

The Ausf(Model) B,C and D were manufactured from January 1940 until November 1940 when it was superceeded by the Ausf E. They incorporated only slight modifications from the model A with radio arials removed, smoke dispensers added and anti splash protection added on the model D.

The PzKpfW 38(t) tank was discontinued in 1942, however the chassis continued to be produced till 1945 as the basis for a range of Tank Destroyers.

Armour Details

Turret
Front	25mm	@	10°	(25mm)
Side	15mm	@	10°	(15mm)
Rear	15mm	@	10°	(15mm)
Top	10mm	@	90°	(10mm)

Superstructure
Front	25mm	@	17°	(26mm)
Side	15mm	@	0°	(15mm)
Rear	10mm	@	60°	(20mm)
Top	8mm	@	90°	(8mm)

Hull
Front	25mm	@	16°	(26mm)
Side	15mm	@	0°	(15mm)
Rear	15mm	@	12°	(15mm)
Top	8mm	@	90°	(8mm)

Armour (x)mm @ (y)° (Effective mm @ 0°)

Effective Armour - Maximum 26 mm - Minimum 8 mm


ZB vz.53 or MG-37(t) (Machine Gun) x 2

	History
	This heavy machine gun which used the German 7.92×57mm Mauser ammunition was mostly used as the main armament of the Skoda T-11(PzKpfw 35t) and Skoda T-25(PzKpfw 38t) tanks. In German use this gun was known as the MG-37{t}
	Manufacturer	Zbrojovka Brno
	Manufactured	1939 - 1966
	Calibre	7.92mm
	Length	L/93
	Rate of Fire	450 rpm
	Number of Rounds	2400

Ammunition Details
Name/Id	Calibre Weight MVelocity					Explosive Content
S.m.K.H tungsten cored (AP Standard Small Arms)	7.92mm 0.013Kg 910M/Sec
Quoted Penetration 13mm@100m/30°
Range(Mtr)	100	200	400	800	1200	1600	2000	2400
Flight Time(Secs)	0.13	0.33	1.04
Penetration(mm@30°)	15	11	6
Penetration(mm@0°)	18	13	7
Hit Probability(%)	98	98	98

Range(Mtr)	100	200	400	800	1200	1600	2000	2400
S.m.K (BALL Standard Small Arms)	7.92mm 0.012Kg 785M/Sec
Quoted Penetration 8mm@100m/30°
Flight Time(Secs)	0.2
Penetration(mm@30°)	5
Penetration(mm@0°)	6
Hit Probability(%)	98


Skoda 37mm P.U.V. vz38 L/39 (Tank Gun)
	Manufactured	1934 - 1945
	Calibre	37mm
	Length	L/39
	Rate of Fire	10 rpm
	Number of Rounds	72

Ammunition Details
Name/Id	Calibre Weight MVelocity					Explosive Content
37mm Armour Piercing (AP Armor Piercing)	37mm 0.66Kg 762M/Sec
Quoted Penetration 42mm @ 100mtr/30° ( ≈ 48mm/0°)
Range(Mtr)	100	200	400	800	1200	1600	2000	2400
Flight Time(Secs)	0.14	0.28	0.59	1.34	2.34	3.71	5.72	8.97
Penetration(mm@30°)	40	36	32	25	19	14	10	6
Penetration(mm@0°)	47	42	37	29	23	17	12	8
Hit Probability(%)	98	98	98	90	54	22	3	1

Range(Mtr)	100	200	400	800	1200	1600	2000
37mm Tungsten Cored (AP40 Armour Piercing Tungsten Cored)	37mm 0.37Kg 1020M/Sec
Quoted Penetration 59mm @ 100mtr/30° ( ≈ 68mm/0°)
Flight Time(Secs)	0.1	0.21	0.46	1.12	2.12	3.87	7.59
Penetration(mm@30°)	60	54	46	35	25	16	9
Penetration(mm@0°)	70	63	54	41	29	19	11
Hit Probability(%)	98	98	98	96	60	22	2

Hit probability is based on a static 2 x 2.4 metre panel at 0 degrees(vertical) at the range specified.

The data that has been used to create these records has come from Wikipedia, The Lone Sentry, The Bundes Archive and numerous books and websites that have provided the detailed information that has not been available anywhere else. The information we use to calculate the penetration tables, flight times and the hit probability comes from the Gun Calibre, the Shell Mass(Kg) and the muzzle velocity, plus range reductions to allow for gravity and wind resistance. This calculation originally came from a pre-war Krupp calculation which has been modified, and seems to fit the actual test results.

GermanyPzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B,C,D (Panzer 38t)

The PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B,C,D was designed in 1939, manufactured by Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG based on the existing fully tracked Czech LT Vz 38 and was in use from 1940 to 1945.

Germany
PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B,C,D (Panzer 38t)