Panzer 38(t)

Panzerkampfwagen 38(t)
Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. S
Type	Medium tank
Place of origin	Czechoslovakia
Service history
In service	1939–1945 (Nazi Germany)
Used by	Nazi Germany Romania Kingdom of Bulgaria Hungary Slovak Republic Sweden Switzerland Peru Iran
Wars	World War II Ecuadorian–Peruvian War
Production history
Designer	ČKD
Manufacturer	ČKD
Produced	1939–1942
No. built	1,414 (for Germany)
Specifications
Weight	9.725–9.85 tonnes (9.571–9.694 long tons; 10.720–10.858 short tons)
Length	4.61 metres (15.1 ft)
Width	2.135 metres (7.00 ft)
Height	2.252 metres (7.39 ft) (overall)
Crew	4
Armor	8–30 mm Ausf. A–D 8–50 mm Ausf. E–G
Main armament	1x 3.7 cm KwK 38(t) L/47.8
Secondary armament	2x 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine gun
Engine	Praga Typ TNHPS/II water-cooled, 6-cylinder gasoline 125 PS (123.3 hp, 91.9 kW)
Power/weight	13.15 PS/tonne
Transmission	5 + 1 Praga-Wilson Typ CV
Suspension	leaf spring
Ground clearance	40 centimetres (16 in)
Fuel capacity	220 litres (58 US gal)
Operational range	250 kilometres (160 mi) (road) 100 kilometres (62 mi) (cross-country)
Speed	42 km/h, 26.1 mph (road) 15 km/h (off-road)

The Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) was originally a Czechoslovak tank of pre-World War II design. After Czechoslovakia was taken over by Germany, it was adopted by the German Army, seeing service in the invasions of Poland, France and the USSR. Production ended in 1942, when its main armament was deemed inadequate. In all, over 1,400 Pz. 38(t)s were manufactured. The chassis of the Pz. 38(t) continued to be produced for the Marder III (1942–1944) with some of its components used in the later Jagdpanzer 38 (1944–1945) tank destroyers and its derivative vehicles.

The (t) stands for tschechisch, the German word for Czech; the Czechoslovak military designation was LT vz. 38 (Lehký tank vzor 38, Light Tank model 38). Manufacturer's designations included TNH series, TNHPS, LTP and LTH. The special vehicle designation for the tank in Germany was Sd. Kfz. 140.

The Panzer 38(t) was a conventional inter-war tank design, with riveted armour. The armour varied in thickness from 10 mm to 25 mm in most versions. Later models (Ausf. E on) increased this to 50 mm by bolting on an additional 25 mm armour plate to the front portion of the hull. The sides received an additional 15 mm increase of armour from Ausf. E production runs onward.

The two-man turret was centrally located, and housed the tank's main armament, a 37 mm Skoda A7 gun with 90 rounds of ammunition. In addition, a 7.92 mm machine gun was in a ball mount to the right of the main gun. This machine gun could be trained on targets independently of the main gun, or coupled to the main gun for use as a conventional coaxial machine gun. The driver was in the front right of the hull, with the radio operator seated to the driver's left. The radio operator manned the hull-mounted 7.92 mm machine gun in front in addition to operating the radio on his left.

Minor adjustments, such as adjustable seats for the driver and firmer footing for the commander/gunner and loader, were provided in German service. A total of 2,550 rounds were carried for the bow and turret machine guns. The driver could also fire the hull machine gun with a trigger fitted on the left tiller bar.

In German service, a loader position was added to the turret by reducing the ammunition capacity by 18 rounds. All future Panzer 38(t) tanks were rebuilt according to this specification and those already in service were modified accordingly. The commander had to aim and fire the main gun in addition to his role as commander.