Germany's leichte Flakpanzer 38(t) Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) Ausf L, SdKfz 140
Photos
leichte Flakpanzer 38(t) Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) Ausf L, SdKfz 140: |
Design
The leichte Flakpanzer 38(t) used a Czechoslovakian 38(t) chassis. Due to the urgent need for a Flakpanzer Hitler agreed on October 15, 1943, to the production of 150 Flakpanzer 38(t)s to be used until the Flakpanzer IV became available. The Flakpanzer 38(t) was demonstrated to Hitler on December 16, 1943. The remaining 10 vehicles that weren't completed were used to produce 150 mm sIG33/2 Sf.
Folding Superstructure
The superstructure had sides that folded down.
Armament
Rate of fire for the 20 mm gun was 180 - 220 rounds per minute. The 20 mm had a ceiling of 3,200 meters.
Prototype
Production
- leichte Flakpanzer 38(t) auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) Ausf L, SdKfz 140: 1401, 1 converted1, 1622
- Production: November 1943 - February 1944
- Conversion: November 19431
- Manufacturer: BMM1
Variants
Usage
Issued in January and February 1944, to the AA Platoon of each tank regiment in the Panzer divisions.
The leichte Flakpanzer 38(t) was primarily used on Western Front.
Specifications
| leichte Flakpanzer 38(t) auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) Ausf L, SdKfz 140 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 41 |
| Radio | FuG21 |
| OR | FuG51 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 21,952 lb, 21,605 lb 9.8 tons1 |
| Length w/gun | 16 2.5", 15' 1" 4.61 m1 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 7' 6", 7' 4.5" 2.25 m1 |
| Width | 7' 1", 7' 0.75" 2.15 m1 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 2cm FlaK 38 L/112.51 2 cm Flak 38 L/552 |
| OR | 2 cm Flak 30 L/552 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 360: Br Sprgr L Spur1 360: Br Sprgr1 320: Pzgr L Spur Zerl1 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | |
| Hull Front, Upper | 10@67°1 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 20@15°1 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 10@25°1 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 15@0°1 |
| Hull Rear | 10@25°1 & 10@41°1 |
| Hull Top | 8@90°1 |
| Hull Bottom | 10@90°1 |
| Turret Front | 10@17°1 |
| Turret Sides | 10@25°1 |
| Turret Rear | 10@25°1 |
| Turret Top | open1 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Praga AC1 |
| Cylinders | |
| Net HP | |
| Transmission | 5 forward, 1 reverse.1 |
| Fuel type | |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, hand.1 |
| Speed - Road | 25 mph, 26 mph 42 kph1 |
| Speed - Cross Country | |
| Range - Road | 115 miles, 130 miles 210 km1 |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation Limits | -5° to +90°1 |
| Fording depth | |
| Trench crossing | |
| Vertical Obstacle | |
| Suspension (Type) | |
| Wheels each side | |
| Return rollers each side | |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | |
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- German Tanks and Armoured Vehicles 1914 - 1945, B. T. White, 1966
