LK I

Leichter Kampfwagen LKI
Type	Light tank
Service history
Used by	Imperial German Army
Specifications
Weight	6.9 t
Length	5.1 m
Width	1.9 m
Height	2.5 m
Crew	3
Armor	8-14 mm
Main armament	7.92 mm machinegun
Engine	Daimler-Benz 4-cylinder 60 hp/44.7 kW
Suspension	unsprung
Operational range	70 km
Speed	14-18 km/h

The Leichter Kampfwagen (English: light combat car) 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.

History

The LK I was designed by Joseph Vollmer. It was based on a Daimler car chassis, using the existing axles to mount sprocket and idler wheels. Its design followed automobile practice, with a front-mounted engine and a driving compartment behind it. It was the first German armored fighting vehicle to be equipped with a turret, armed with a 7.92 mm MG08 machine gun.

Only two prototypes ^[1] were produced in mid 1918, but no vehicles were ordered. It was designed as an experimental cavalry tank to pave the way to LK II.^[2]

Notes

1. Õun, Mati (1998). Wermachti tankid. Väike tankiõpik vana sõjatehnika huvilisele. Tallinn: Tammiskilp. p. 5.
2. Chant, Christopher (2002). World Encyclopedia of the Tank. Second edition. England: Sutton Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 0-7509-3147-7.

External links

• Achtung Panzer! First Panzers 1917-1918