Engineering:Spähpanzer SP I.C.

Spähpanzer SP I.C., PT1 & PT2
The Spähpanzer SP I.C. PT2
Type	Light tank
Place of origin	West Germany
Service history
In service	Never saw service
Production history
Designer	Hotchkiss; Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz
Designed	1956 ~ 1962
Manufacturer	Hotchkiss; Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz
Unit cost	Classified (possibly around 3million credits at the time)
Produced	1962
No. built	1
Specifications
Mass	8.92 t (8.78 long tons)
Length	4.42 m (14 ft 6 in)
Width	2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Height	2.39 m (7 ft 10 in)
Crew	3 (commander/gunner, driver, loader)
Armour	10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in)
Main armament	1 × 90 mm Mercar (Mecar) or 1 x 90 mm Mercar mit "Mehrladeeinrichtung" 18 rounds AP and/or HE
Secondary armament	1 x MG42 machine gun or coaxial smoke grenade launchers
Engine	Hotchkiss-Brandt 6-cylinder petrol 195/164/154 PS 195/164/154 hp
Power/weight	30 PS (hp)/tonne
Suspension	Hydropneumatic; Traverse speeds: PT1=40; PT2=44
Ground clearance	400 mm (16 in)
Fuel capacity	270 litres; 85 litres reserve
Speed	58 km/h (36 mph)

The Spähpanzer SP I.C. (also known as SPIC) was the experimental model of a West German reconnaissance scout light tank with anti-tank components. It was developed from 1956 in order to increase the anti-tank capabilities of reconnaissance tank battalions, but the project eventually declined. There are two blueprint prototype versions of the SP I.C. The single tank built can be seen in the Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung Koblenz.

Specifications

Spähpanzer SP I.C.

Muzzle velocity	AP: 630 m/s (2,067 ft/s) HE: 338 m/s (1,109 ft/s)
Maximum ammunition load	18

See also

• Spähpanzer Ru 251
• Spähpanzer Luchs
• Tanks in the Cold War