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Feb 7, 2013

Panzer I Ausf. C and Panzer II Ausf. G

In patch 8.4, Panzer I Ausf. C and Panzer II Ausf. G are rumored to appear along with the classic Panzer I. It seems the new branch will look like this:

Tier 2 - Panzer I
Tier 3 - Panzer I Ausf. C
Tier 4 - Panzer II Ausf. G

split?

Tier 4 - Panzer II "Luchs"
Tier 5 - Leopard
Tier 6 - VK2801

The history of Panzer I is well known and documented. Let's have a look at the remaining two vehicles:

Panzer I Ausf. C













Panzer I Ausf. C has practically nothing to do with the "basic" models - Panzer I Ausf. A and Panzer I Ausf. B (both the chassis and the turret were different). It was a specialist vehicle, developed for the paratrooper units in order to be transported in the Messerschmitt Me-321 planes, based on the army request for a light recoinnesance tank of the 8 ton category. The vehicle itself weighted around 8 tons indeed, had a 30mm frontal armor (both hull and turret) and was powered by a 150hp Maybach HL45P engine, allowing the vehicle to reach up to 80km/h. The armament consisted of an unusual combination: there was a MG-34 machinegun, but there was also a special 7,92mm anti-tank rifle designated EW141. Its caliber is only 7,92mm, but it's a high pressure weapon and thus its penetration will be sufficient (it fires the Panzerbüchse ammunition, which can penetrate around 25mm at 300m, which means it'll probably have around 40mm penetration in game).
 It's a rather new project - several were built around 1943 (although Wiki states that the development started as soon as 1939 as a cooperation project between Krauss Maffei and Daimler Benz, with the first prototype built in 1941). Wiki states that 40 of these vehicles were produced and they served along with 6 prototypes (some sources claim only 4 prototypes) and most (38) served on the western front during Normandy landings.

Armor: 
Frontal - 30mm (mantlet thickness 30mm + 30mm frontal turret armor)
Side -  15-20mm
Rear - 10mm
Weapon: EW141 7,92mm autocannon/machine rifle
Engine:  Maybach HL45P, 150hp
Maximum speed: 80km/h on the road, 35km/h offroad

Panzer II Ausf. G














Panzer II Ausf. G from 1941 (manufactured until February 1942), also referred to as a VK9.01 (9 ton, 1st project), or Pz.Kpfw. II neuer Art, was an attempt to re-work and improve the Panzer II series in order to prolong their lifespan. It uses a different type of suspension with 5 overlapping roadwheels (in German "Schachtelaufwerk") and eventually led (over the Ausf. J) to the development of the Leopard. Several prototypes were built and subsequently around 12 vehicles were completed. Some sources claim they never saw combat, while other sources (H. Doyle) claim at least one was transferred to the eastern front and apparently used (as it was covered by a camouflage):



Panzer II Ausf. G was uparmored when compared to its predecessors and its frontal armor was cca 30mm thick (15mm on the sides). However, when it comes to armament and engine, different sources say different things (even though the performance is roughly equal): it was propelled by a 150hp engine (Maybach HL 45, or Maybach HL66) and armed with a 7,92mm anti-tank rifle, described in the Panzer I Ausf. C part. One development version was also armed with a stabilized 20mm KwK 38 autocannon.
Wiki states that its turrets were later used for fortification.

Armor: 
Frontal - 30mm
Side -  15
Rear - 15mm
Weapon: 7,92mm AT rifle or 20mm autocannon
Engine:  Maybach HL45P (HK66), 150hp
Maximum speed: 65km/h on the road, 50km/h offroad

10 comments:

  1. There "will be" another tier 1 vehicle besides loltractor? Thats unusual...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Still, what's stopping them to have multiple tier 1's from 1 nation?
    I've allways been a fan of tier 1 battles, since they are so fun. (not only the fact that they are filled with newbs, but also no arty and no TD makes the MM kinda fair)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it was strange they didn't have Panzer I in the game in the first place...I mean it was a logical predecessor to Panzer II, and Loltraktor, as cool and fun as it is, is out of place.

      Delete
  3. Here is correct German tree
    http://worldoftanks.ru/dcont/fb/media/trees084/germany_tree_ru.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't wait... My beloved VK2801 will be a Tier 6!!!! :)

    However... How the heck are they going to "balance" the Leo and Luchs for their appropriate tiers? I hope the Leopard gets the VK's top engine and speed, and a least the 75 L/48, and the Luchs gets the Leo's L/60 50mm and speed?? Vk.... I hope it gets a better derp RoF :) MOAR DERPING!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can't see what they could do to a vanilla PzI to make it a viable tier 2 tank....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 20mm KwK38, 20mm Breda, 7,92 Panzerbüchse (around 40mm ingame PEN)

      Delete
    2. How is the Pz2G going to work at tier 4 though?
      Why not Pz1C -> PzIIG -> Luchs -> Leo -> VK2801

      All of those tanks are fast scouts, from top to bottom, and can be placed closer to historical configuration in a balanced way.
      The Panzer 1 is just silly. Should be reserved for premium or a sidegrade at best.

      Delete

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