| Leichter Kampfwagen II | |
|---|---|
 The M/21-29 at theGerman Tank Museum, modified back to its original German design | |
| Type | Light tank |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.75 t |
| Length | 5.1 m |
| Width | 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armor | 8-14 mm |
Main armament | 37mmKrupp/57mm Maxim-Nordenfelt |
| Engine | Daimler-Benz 4-cylinder 60 hp (45 kW) |
| Suspension | unsprung |
Operational range | 65–70 km (40–43 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 14–18 km/h (8.7–11.2 mph) |
TheLeichter Kampfwagen II ("light combat vehicle"), commonly known as theLK II, was alight tank designed and produced in limited numbers inGermany in the last year ofWorld War I. A development of theLK I, it incorporated a fixed rear superstructure and had two distinct configurations; one variant being armed with theMG 08/15, and the other being armed with a5.7 cm Maxim-Nordenfelt gun. Its armor was 8 to 14 mm thick, which led to a total weight of 8.75 tons. Power was provided by aDaimler-Benz Model 1910 4-cylinder 55-60 hp gasoline engine, giving a maximum speed of 14 to 18 km/h with range of 65–70 km.
The LK II was designed by German engineer and automobile designerJoseph Vollmer, who also designed theA7V, theK-Wagen and theLK I. Vollmer was appointed to the position of chief designer for the German War Department's motor vehicle section
Only two prototypes were produced by June 1918, and were followed by orders for 580 tanks, which were never completed.
| Stridsvagn m/21-29 | |
|---|---|
 A Swedish m/21 tank | |
| Type | Light tank |
| Place of origin | Sweden |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1922-1939 |
| Used by | Sweden |
| Production history | |
| Designer | AB Landsverk |
| Manufacturer | AB Landsverk /NOHAB |
| No. built | 10 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9.7 short tons (8.8 t; 8.7 long tons) |
| Length | 5.7 m (19 ft) |
| Width | 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 2.52 m (8 ft 3 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor | 4-14 mm |
Main armament | 2x ksp m/14 (Stridsvagn m/21), 2x ksp m/14-29 (Stridsvagn m/21/29) |
| Engine | Benz 1910 (Stridsvagn m/21), Scania 1554 (Stridsvagn m/21-29) 55 hp, 85 hp |
| Maximum speed | 16 to 18 km/h (9.9 to 11.2 mph) |
After the war, the Swedish government bought parts for 10 examples in secrecy for 200,000Swedish kronor. The parts were shipped under the pretence of being boiler plates and agricultural equipment and then assembled in Sweden as theStridsvagn m/21 (Strv m/21 for short), which was essentially an improved version of the LK II prototype. The Strv m/21 was powered by asleeve valve engine located in the front, the driver and crew being in the rear. The suspension and running gear was protected by armored skirts. Ten of these tanks were built, their armament a single6.5 mm (0.26 in)Schwarzlose machine gun.[1]
In 1929, five were rebuilt to create theStrv m/21-29 variant which was armed with a 37mm gun or two machine guns and was powered by aScania-Vabis engine. The Strv m/21-29 was an upgraded version of the fm/21. The modifications included a more powerful engine, a newalternator, and external lighting.[2] One of these improved vehicles was driven byHeinz Guderian during a visit to Sweden in 1929.
The Germans later bought a main share of theLandsverk Company and made Otto Merker the main designer and in 1931, it produced theStrv m/31 (L-10), which was the first tank produced in Sweden.
The Strv m/21-29 remained in service until 1938. A surviving example can be seen at theDeutsches Panzermuseum atMunster, Germany, and both strv m/21 and strv m/21-29 was displayed at the Axvall Tank Museum in Sweden.
One Strv m/21-29 is in the early stages of being restored to full working order in Sweden. As of 2018, the tank has been restored to running condition, and is now on display at thesv:Försvarsfordonsmuseet Arsenalen inSträngnäs.[3]
Tanks of theFirst World War | |
|---|---|
| Light | |
| Medium | |
| Heavy | |
| Prototypes, experimentals | |
 Swedish armoured fighting vehicles of World War II | |
|---|---|
| Tanks | |
| Armoured cars | |
| Assault guns | |
| IFVs | |
