Panzer II Ausf.L

[Would you like to see this in-game?]
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0 voters

I would like to suggest the Pz II Ausf.L Luchs, the last of the Pz II Spähpanzer which went into full production. With the ability to equipp it with the Applique armor as a modification used by the “Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4” Which is a 20mm Spaced add on plate to the lower hull and Additional Curved Steel over the Upper Front plate over the Drivers (and Codrivers) Viewport. And the addition of extra track armor/spare track pieces to the middle part/over the transmission, as seen on other vehicles and pictures below.

In game it would offer an improved mobile small tank with 2 cm KwK 38 L/65 and high speed of 60 Km/h.
And offer a well known and liked light tank with spotting ability.

History:
On 15th September 1939 AHA/AgK (In6) requested the Waffenamt to design a fully tracked Panzerspähwagen für motor Aufklärung. Initially known as Pz.Kpfw.II n.A. (VK 13.01).
With the advantage of a fully tracked vehicle being stated in the experience report from the 2. leichte Division after Poland: In addition, it is proposed that a Einheits Aufklärungsfahrzeug be developed for Panzer and leichte Division. With main priority instead of speed being cross country mobility as well as steering while driving in reverse. Be it fully tracked or half tracked. The available reconnaissance vehicles used in Poland were confined to roads and trails and were unusable for reconnaissance.

The Company MAN was awarded a contract by Wa Prüfamt 6 with details for the hull as well as DB for the superstructure and turret. Which was already tasked with the VK 9.01 before, however the main difference was the addition of a 4th crew member.
In the designing, advantage was taking it using already existing knowledge and proofed desing of the VK 9.01 series (which also is shown in the optical similarity). Even many components were taken over unmodified, which also helped with it being directly more reliable (as the parts were already proven).

After multiple trails and further improvements it resulted in the VK 13.03 which was then taken into production as the Pz II Ausf. L Luchs. With 100 produced between 1942 and 1943.

Pictures:(Click to show)

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Pz II L of Pz-Aufkl-Bat 4 with 20mm spaced applique plate on the lower glacis, curved applique on the superstructure, and spare track on the upper glacis.

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Second angle of the curved applique armour.

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Screenshot 2024-05-17 173236
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Screenshot 2024-05-17 173228

The Gun:
2 cm KwK 38 L/65 and coax Mg 34
320 - 400 Rounds, -10° to +20° Elevation, 360° Traverse at 25°/sec and higher


AP:


Pzgr. L`Spur. o.Zerl. (Ph.) (ApI-T) 0,148kg 830m/s 40mm/10m

Note: Used against ground targets. Soft and armored. 3g White Phosphor Core.
Were fully replaced by the empty ones and later .Zerl in the Desert and other hot places, as the phosphor had a nasty tendency to self ignite in hot weather.
The Ph. marked ones were standard with the filler, however they also existed with an O. which indicated they didn’t have a filler and were only 143g (and 835-840m/s).
(Velocity for L/55 is 800, 805-810 for the 143g.)
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Pzgr. L'Spur zerl. (Aphe-T Sd) 0,148 kg 830m/s 2,4g Pent 37mm/10m

NOTE: Against ground and air targets. Soft and armored.
It does NOT have a fuze, the filler is for self destruction, in game it would also explode upon impact when shattering, like the Japanese 30mm Aphe.
(Velocity for L/55 is 800.)
Bild11
Screenshot 2024-04-19 134646


Pzgr. 40 L`Spur. o.Zerl. (HVAP-T) 0,100kg 1050m/s 62g core 12x45mm 50mm/10m

Note: Only used against heavy armored targets, where the standard AP ammo does not penetrate.
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Screenshot 2024-04-19 134609
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He:


Sprgr. L`Spur. m.Zerl. (Hefi-T Sd.) 0,120kg 900m/s 6,2g Pent (10,54g) 5mm/10m

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Screenshot 2024-05-10 000937


Sprgr. Erd. o.L'Spur. o.Zerl. (He) 0,120kg 900m/s 11g Pent (18,7g)

Note: Only against ground targets.
(Couldn’t find the correct drawing, the Br.Sprgr. o.L’Spur is basically the same, just different filler with Zink.
Screenshot 2023-09-06 122928
sprgr erd


The Vehicle:
Pz II Ausf.L
Top speed: 60 km/h
Weight: 11,8 ton
Dimensions: 4,63 m / 2,48 m / 2,21m
Armor: Front 30mm Side and back 20mm top 10mm belly 5,5 mm
Engine: HL 66P 200 PS/3200RPM

Source:
Panzer Tracks No. 2-2
Panzer Tracks No. 20-2
Munition der 2 cm Waffen
Private gallery

7 Likes

+1 for the Ausf.L - the final production model of Panzer II, and a highly capable tracked recce vehicle in its own right. With Scouting this would fit well as the last vehicle in the PzII line, or as a purchaseable Premium to ensure availability.

@Ghostmaxi are you sure of the engine output? The vehicle speed is correct but I’m seeing 180PS/178hp @ 3,200rpm for the Maybach HL 66 P.
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Waffen/panzermotoren-R.htm

I would also propose the 20mm applique reportedly added by Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4 as a vehicle modification, this would help slightly improve the survivability of the Ausf.L against small calibres and HEAT ammunition.

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Pz II L of Pz-Aufkl-Bat 4 with 20mm spaced applique plate on the lower glacis, curved applique on the superstructure, and spare track on the upper glacis.

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Second angle of the curved applique armour.

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Pz II L with additional track on the superstructure.

3 Likes

I think we have been asking for this since Beta times

1 Like

Tbh, i didnt know about the applique and thought the upper thing were tracks placed on the side, but thinking about it, that cant make them so round. Added them, ty for your addition to the post.

The engine performance idk, i have seen both 180 and 200 Ps at 3200 Rpm. (Even in primary source iirc.)

1 Like

Aww, he so cute!

2 Likes

Yes please, I hope it will at least be Rank II, so it will have spotting. At the same time, I hope it will not get the same treatment as the Pz 38(t) n.A., where it was original Rank II and had spotting, but was later on moved down to Rank I and lost its spotting.

4 Likes

Definitely needs to be Rank 2, preceding the Puma. It would be terrible for the Luchs to not get scouting.

YES YES YES YES!!! A MILLION TIMES YES! I’ve wanted this for sooooooooo long! Please please please please Gaijin, see this and add it!!!

+1 This vehicle is the final evolution of the Panzer II family. as a recon tank it should absolutely go to at least Rank II so it gets scouting.

Sometimes I wonder why this hasn’t been added yet

5 Likes

Gaijin works in mysterious ways

One of my favourite vehicles, I hope we see this in a near future update. Like why hasn’t it been done, it’s bizarre. Look at the beauty of this tank, please add Gaijin!

1 Like