The Strv m/41, as we all know and appreciate it, is the Swedish-produced variant of the Czech LT vz. 38 (commonly known as the 38(t)). After its introduction, the Strv m/41’s chassis, especially its suspension and overall engineering. Quickly became highly Liked and was a valued foundation for further development. Its reliability and functional design made it an attractive platform for Sweden, particularly at a time when the country faced limited access to foreign resources. For these reasons, the Swedish Army continued to make extensive use of the Strv m/41 base for as long as possible.
However, one issue became clear even in the early stages of the war: its armor protection was insufficient. With only 50 mm of flat frontal armor, the vehicle offered poor protection against the rapidly improving infantry anti-tank weapons and anti-tank guns of the time. An upgrade was clearly necessary- not only to modernize the armor, but also to replace the underpowered 37 mm Bofors m/38 cannon, which had become ineffective against increasingly robust enemy armor.
This development path leads to what would become known as the
One of the key proposals was the Strv m/41 S-III Alt.2 Torn B, a modernization concept developed by engineers at Scania-Vabis and Landsverk. This design introduced sloped armor, including a 40–50 mm angled plate intended to improve protection against contemporary anti-tank guns. It also featured a Scania-Vabis 8-cylinder engine producing 220 horsepower and a new turret mounting the 57 mm Pvkan m/43(Same as on the Pvkv III & Pvkv IV). The designation reflects the Swedish naming system of the period, with the vehicle using an “Alternative 2” chassis paired with a “B” turret.
Sadly due to a varienty of reasons this project would not lead anywhere beyond small scale models and blueprints. But it gives a nice In-sight to Swedish engineering at the time. And looking at it should give you faint reminders of other vehicles designed by Landsverk at the time. And also has some inspiration from vehicles such as the Stuart, T-34 and Panther with their use of slanted armour.
This vehicle would likely been a very good vehicle, and its a shame it was never utilised due to poor recourses. And it would likely have made a great medium tank.
Likely Not as the only part of it that is usable is the standard Strv m/41 chassi that so many platforms use. There was never even a scaled up wooden mockup just a Model and blueprints.
So this would be more of a paper Vehicle than the Kranvagn
As with many swedish tank projects the parts were there and the gun was capable of being modified to be fit into a turret and the hull were to be slightly expanded. and of course machinegun mounts had been proved to work on the standard m/41 anyway, combined with lessons learned from the L/60 and strv m42 turret, Usage of rounder and slanted cheeks to increase protection-
