Germany
PzKpfw I Ausf A (Panzer I)
Ordnance classification - SdKfz 101

Tweet The PzKpfw I Ausf A based on the existing PzKpfw I and was in use from 1934 to 1941. General Details Specifications Operational Date(s) 1934 - 1941 Ordnance classification SdKfz 101 Quantity Produced 585 Weight unknown Crew 2 M.G's small 2 M.G's large(>10mm) n/a Length 4.06 mtr Width 2.09 mtr Height 1.72 mtr Engine Details/Performance Max Road Speed 23 mph Max Cross Country Speed 11 mph Range Road 91 miles Range Cross Country unknown Fuel Type Petrol Fuel Capacity unknown Horse Power 57 hp Power/Weight unknown General Information The PzKpfw I Ausf A based on the existing PzKpfw I and was in use from 1934 to 1941. It was armed with 2 light machine guns which were 7.92mm MG 13s. The PzKpfw I was the first german tank manufactured since 1918. Although only a small vehicle armed with 2 machine guns, it gave the German military a vehicle to start the training which eventually led to the Blitzkrieg strategy. It was still in use until 1941 in Finland and in North Africa with Rommels Africa Korps. The PzKpfw I Ausf A was fairly quickly superceeded by the Ausf B as its engine was prone to overheating. It was track driven with the engine and drive sprocket to the front of the vehicle, the track fed under 4 roadwheels, and then under a rear idler which acted as a roadwheel, finally returning to the front drive sprocket via 3 return rollers. Armour Details Turret Front 13mm @ 10° (13mm) Side 13mm @ 22° (14mm) Rear 13mm @ 22° (14mm) Top 8mm @ 85° (8mm) Superstructure Front 13mm @ 23° (14mm) Side 13mm @ 22° (14mm) Rear 13mm @ 17° (14mm) Top 6mm @ 85° (6mm) Hull Front 13mm @ 27° (15mm) Side 13mm @ 0° (13mm) Rear 13mm @ 15° (13mm) Top 6mm @ 90° (6mm) Armour (x)mm @ (y)° (Effective mm @ 0°) Effective Armour - Maximum 15 mm - Minimum 6 mm Weapon Details 7.92mm MG 13 7.92mm Maschinengewehr 13 (translates as Machine Gun) x 2 History Light Machine gun developed from the water cooled Dreyse 1st World War machine gun without its water cooled jacket, and incorporating a bipod. Manufacturer Rheinische Metallwaaren Manufactured 1933 - 1942 Calibre 7.92mm Length L/90 Rate of Fire 650 rpm Number of Rounds  3600     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 S.m.K (BALL Standard Small Arms) 7.92mm 0.012Kg 785M/Sec Quoted Penetration 8mm@100m/30° Range(Mtr) 100 200 400 800 1200 1600 2000 2400 Flight Time(Secs) 0.2 Penetration(mm@30°) 5 Penetration(mm@0°) 6 Hit Probability(%) 98

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.

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