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The Panzer I, Panzerkampfwagen I, Ausf, PzKpfw I A, SdKfz
101, was the first manufactured model. 818 were assembled from July 1934 to June
1936 by Daimler Benz, Henschel, Krupp and MAN. Intended as a training and development
vehicle, it was nevertheless widely used by all Third Reich panzer formations
early in the war. However, it was soon phased out. Its last service seen was in
Finland and North Africa as late as 1941. It differed from the later Ausf B in
a number of respects. Most important was its less powerful Krupp M305 engine.
The lighter Panzer I Ausf (5.4 tons) was also shorter (4.02 m) and could be recognised
externally by only having four road wheels. The Panzer I Ausf had poorer performance
than the Ausf B, with a top road speed of 37 km/h and a range of 145 km |