Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf B (Sd Kfz 101)

The first production version of the Panzer I had been found to be underpowered and its engine prone to overheating. To solve these problems the superstructure and turret from that version were matched with a longer chassis designed for the Kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen command vehicle to produce the Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf B. The new version was also given a more powerful 100hp Maybach water cooled engine to replace the 60hp Krupp air cooled engine of the Ausf A. The two versions of the Panzer I can easily be told apart by the number of road wheels – four on the Ausf A and five on the Ausf B.

The Ausf B was otherwise similar to the Ausf A, featuring the same hand cranked turret armed with two 7.92mm machine guns. At the start of the Second World War the major of Ausf Bs were still in service with front line units, serving in Poland and France, despite not having been designed as a combat vehicle. Most had been withdrawn from front line units by the start of Operation Barbarossa.

German Light Panzers, 1932-1942, Bryan Perrett. This is a well balanced book that combines a technical discussion of the various types of light tanks, a look at the Panzer divisions and their equipment and the battlefield tactics and experience of the German light tank forces. [see more]

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