Panzer I Ausf. B

Long before the massive Tiger and Panthers rolled into battle, Nazi Germany's entire armored forces relied on this vehicle, the Panzerkampfwagen I, or Panzer I, a vehicle so lightly armored and armed it can hardly be considered a tank at all. Still, it was early training and limited combat experience with these vehicles that allowed the Germans to develop both Blitzkrieg warfare and more heavier tanks to make it effective. This Ausf. B vehicle was one of the most mass-produced of the Panzer I series, with nearly 700 vehicles manufactured by five companies. The white cross indicates this Panzer I's participation in the 1939 invasion of Poland, by which time the Panzer I was used only as reconaissance and infantry support vehicle. Later in the war, the chassis would be used as the bassis for tank hunters, munitions carriers, self-propelled guns, and anti-aircraft vehicles.

Panzer I Ausf. B Vehicle Stats:
Type: Ligth tank
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz, Henschel, Krupp, MAN, and Wegmann.
First deployed: August 1935

Crew: 2
Length: 4.42 m
Width: 2.06 m
Height: 1.72 m
Weight: 5.8 tons

Armor: 13mm
Armament: 2 x 7.92mm MG 13 machineguns
Ammo stowage: 2,250 rounds

Powerplant: Maybach NL38TR 100hp six-cylinder water-cooled gasoline engine
Max speed: 40 km/h
Max range: 170 km

Operators: Germany, Spain