Panzerspähwagen II Luchs

This light reconnaissance tank was the Ausf. L variant of the Panzer II with significant modifications to improve the type's cross-country capabilities and increase its speed. It was the only Panzer II design with the Schachtellaufwerk overlapping/interleaved road wheels and 'slack track' configuration to enter series production. Germany built 100 units from September 1943 to January 1944, based on a design process that began in 1938. The Wehrmacht adopted it under the alternate name Panzerspähwagen II 'Luchs' ('Lynx'). It served effectively on the Eastern Front beginning in late 1943, but in only two German panzer units; one of those units also fought in France during the Battle of Normandy. The Luchs was larger than the Panzer II Ausf. G in most dimensions, including its turret. The vehicle was lightly armored (30 mm frontal, 20 mm sides) with a good power-to-weight ratio and wide tracks, giving it great off-road capabilities (much better than the six- and eight-wheeled vehicles that dominated the reconnaissance role). It could reach 60 km/h (37 mph) and had a range of 290 km (180 mi). It carried an improved version of the main gun of the earlier Panzer II--the 2 cm KwK 38--plus a coaxial 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun. It accommodated four crew: commander (gunner), driver, loader, and radio operator.