LEOPARD VK.1602

The VK 1602 Leopard was a prototype German reconnaissance tank from the Second World War. Only two prototypes of the vehicle appeared in 1942, but the car did not enter serial production. The drive was provided by a single Maybach HL 157 P engine with 550 HP. It was armed with a single 50mm KwK 39 gun and one 7.92mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun. Work on the VK 1602 began in early 1942 at MIAG and Daimler-Benz, with an order from the German armed forces to create a new, fast, but well-armored reconnaissance tank. Both companies, as part of an ad hoc consortium, initially developed two versions of the vehicle: a light one, weighing about 18 tons, and a heavy one, weighing about 26-27 tons. However, the effort was concentrated very quickly on the second version. Many elements of the Pz.Kpfw. II: the hull was very similar to the Ausf version. J, but had a large sloping frontal armor. The suspension and the entire chassis were based on the Ausf version. L. The vehicle also had a completely new turret with main armament. Despite the fact that both companies created a quite successful design, meeting the deadlines imposed by the client, the implementation of the tank was stopped in January 1943, and the entire program was canceled in 1944. The turret developed for the VK 1602 Leopard tank was later used on the Sd.Kfz recon vehicle. 234 Puma.