Introduction

After proving Panzer I Ausf.A and B in the battlefields it was clear that they are not suited for tank to tank fights, what led to the phasing out of all Panzer I by the end of 1941.
Therefor it was always tried to employ new types of tanks or to improve existing types of tanks. This led to a huge number of test-vehicles, which were put into service more or less.
Generally these projects which were build in little numbers didn't get names or Sd.Kfz.-numbers. Rather than they got a new letter in the row of Ausf.-letters or the projectnumber remained, like VK1801.
These project numbers showed some details about the tank project. VK stands for "Vollkettenfahrzeug" which means fully tracked vehicle. The first number respectively the first two numbers showed which weight was projected for the tank, means the VK1801 was projected for 18tons. Always the last two numbers showed if it is the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ... project in that weight class, so the VK1303 was the 3rd project for the 13ton class.
In the text of the Panzer I Ausf.C you'll find some red stars (*) at some data. That shows that there are contradictionary specifications, which I will show up at the end of the text. If someone has more specific information about the correct data, please write a mail to me.

Panzer I Ausf.C (VK 601)

On September 15th 1939 the ordnance department was given the order to get a light reconnaissance tank developed. The company of Krauss-Maffei in Munich was responsible for making the chassis while Daimler-Benz got the responsibility for superstructure and turret. The project was known as VK601 or better known as Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.C.
The engine was the Maybach HL45P with 150 metric hp, giving the vehicle a maximum speed of 65km/h.* The crew of two men had as main armament a 7.9mm EW141 ** machinegun and a MG34.
The appearance of the Ausf.C was completely different from the previous Ausf.A and B. Additionally the armor thickness was significantly improved. It was now 30mm on front of turret and chassis and 20mm for sides and rear of turret and chassis.
The weight was 8 tons, a length of 4.19m, width 1.92m and height of 2.01m. The power to weight ratio of 18.2hp/t was remarkable, which was one of the reasons for the high speed. With a length of 2.2m where track touches ground and a track width of 39cm resulted in a ground pressure of 0.46 kg/cm2. The track had 89 single track links, and some vehicles got a lubricated pin track. The VK601 was able to wade up to 78.5cm deep, pass over 1.2m wide trenches and could climb 30cm high obstacles.
40 *** Panzer I Ausf.C were produced from July 1942 on, of which two were delivered to 1st Tankdivision early in 1943 and troop tested in Russia. (The picture on the left is a rare shot showing a VK601 in operation. The shot is most likely taken in the Normandy in 1944 during allied invasion). The remaining 38 vehicles were taken to reserve units of the LVIII.tank reserve Corps and those came in action in 1944 in the battles in the Normandy.
The very last vehicles got a better engine, the Maybach HL61. They were numbered as VK602. MAYBE these were the vehicles which were called Panzer I Ausf.D (??), of which is nearly nothing known! If someone of you readers have more information on that Panzer I Ausf.D, please let me know and write a mail, even if you think your information is too insignificant!!!!

*: Some sources speaking of a max.speed of 79km/h. I think 65km/h is more realistic and I guess the speed of 79km/h may be achieved by the vehicles with lubricated pin tracks or the more powerful VK602 got the 79km/h.
**: Another sources speaking of a 13mm PzB (Anti tank rifle).
***: Here are also different numbers existing, cause some sources speak of 46 tanks which were ordered and delivered.

Panzer I Ausf.F (VK 1801)

With this further development of the Panzer I the main focus was on heaviest possible armor. The order of 30 vehicles was given to Krauss-Maffei and Daimler-Benz on 22.12.1939 erteilt. First vehicle was completed on 17.6.1940, but finally the rest of the vehicles were delivered in 1942.
The armor was heavily increased to 80mm on front turret and chassis and 50mm on side and rear of turret and chassis. But now the weight went up to 21 tons! The engine remained the same like in the VK601, the Maybach HL45p, so the power to weight ratio decreased to 7.1hp/t. The tracks were changed because of the higher weight and were widened to 0.54m. With a length of 2.2m where track lies on the ground, a ground pressure of 0,84kg/cm2 was achieved. The track itself was made from 53 track links.
The whole vehicle was 4.37m long, 2.64m wide and 2.05m high. The armament was two MG34 which were placed in the turret. To mention the driving performance: maximum speed was 25km/h, 1.5m wide trenches could be passed, wading up to 57cm and 33cm high obstacles climbed.
Of the 30 ordered vehicles all were delivered. Eight of these (together with the VK601) were delivered to 1st tankdivision for troop trials in Russia in 1943. Furthermore the 12th tankdivision got some VK1801 vehicles. On July 1st 1943 the 12th tankdivision reported three operational VK1801 out of seven altogether!

If you're interested in more info or photos, please read the following mentioned books.

Literature:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War two, Chamberlain, Doyle, Jentz, 1993, Arms and Armour Press
- Panzer-Kampfwagen I und II und ihre Abarten, Spielberger, 1991, Motorbuch Verlag
- Deutsche Panzer-Raritäten 1935-1945, Sawodny, 1982, Podzun-Pallas Verlag


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