3012 GERMAN PZKPFW. I AUSF F (VK18.01) EARLY

Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. The F (another designation: VK 18.01) is a German light tank used as an infantry support vehicle from the Second World War. The first self-propelled prototypes of this vehicle were built in 1942, and small series production started in the same year. The wagon was 4.38 m long, 2.64 m wide and up to 2.05 m high. The weight of the tank did not exceed 21 tons. The drive was provided by a single Maybach engine with 150 HP. The armament of the car consisted of only two 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns. Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. The F was developed as, in essence, a very far-reaching modification of the Panzer I cars of earlier versions. The experience of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the September Campaign (1939) already showed that these vehicles were of little use in the battlefield. For this reason, at the turn of 1939/1940, work began on a completely new version of the Panzer I tank, which was to function de facto as an infantry support vehicle. For this reason, the new tank's armor was significantly increased (up to 80 mm in the front part!), The engine was more than two-ton more powerful than in the first versions of the Panzer I, as well as a completely different suspension. In fact, an almost completely new tank was created, similar to the other Panzer I vehicles only to a minor extent. However, the relatively high production costs, very poor armament, as well as the low top speed of the car meant that the Pz.Kpfw I Ausf. The F was built in only about 30 copies, and its production was quickly discontinued.