Tank Chats

In his latest Tank Chat, The Tank Museum's Curator David Willey looks at the Luchs, a Second World War German reconnaissance vehicle from the Panzer II family. The Tank Museum's example is one of only two survivors in the world.
SUBSCRIBE to The Tank Museum KZbin channel: ► / @thetankmuseum
Support the work of The Tank Museum on Patreon: ► / tankmuseum
Visit The Tank Museum SHOP & become a Friend: ►tankmuseumshop.org/
Press the little bell above to enable NOTIFICATIONS so you don’t miss the latest Tank Museum videos.
Follow The Tank Museum on FACEBOOK: ► / tankmuseum
Twitter: ► / tankmuseum
Instagram: ► / tankmuseum
The Tank Museum E-Newsletter sign-up: mailchi.mp/e6fae2ac8bee/newsl...
#tankmuseum #tanks

[@dougstubbs9637]

Tiger Mini Me, and just the right size for the Morning Commute.

[@apocalypticsurvivor1881]

There also is a version with a 5cm pak. It looks even more like a tiger

[@ostlandr]

Nothing says "Get out of my lane!" like a 20mm autocannon. ;-)

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

30mm with Gold rounds is the way to go.

[@apocalypticsurvivor1881]

@@pickeljarsforhillary102 is that a thing in world of tanks?

[@bongfuhrer]

@@apocalypticsurvivor1881 And soon to become a part of WarThunder..

[@Tomeohara]

Screw ATV’s I want a Luchs.

[@scottyfox6376]

Dear Santa i'd be ever so grateful if you could put a Luchs in my x-mas stocking this year.😇👍

[@digitaIgorilla]

Love this little tank. Feisty and quick as a terrier.

[@Jeremiah90526]

@@brandmotivo Playing it with the MK103 is fun. However, the MK103 is not the historical MK103, as the minimum size of the belt ever fielded for the MK 103 was 30 rounds. The closest we get to the one in the game is the MK 101, which is the earlier gun, fires the same 30x184mm round, however it was loaded a little hotter in the powder load, getting about 100m/s faster velocity (and more penetration due to this). Again, it is closer but the smallest box magazine for this gun was a 10 round box magazine, and later had a 30 round box magazine for it. Due to the box magazine, it would have been much quicker to reload (about half the time shown in game). The 101 also had about 100mm of penetration, so this is out. Basically, while the gun in the game is fun, it is massively nerfed compared to real life.

[@tophermillman1991]

It's a pretty cool looking mini Tiger wanna-be. I like it.

[@AtrociousAK47]

yeah, loved this thing in world of tanks, painful to grind at first due to being very slow with the stock engine and having somewhat of a poor gun selection, but once you got the top engine and 5cm auto cannon it became quite the quick little bugger and still able to damage heavier tanks and some higher tier tanks (most tanks with auto cannons are basically useless against anything above their own tier unless facing spg's and similar open top, lightly armored vehicles, being only useful for spotting targets and keeping them tracked long enough for heavier allies to take them out). this thing was a tier 4 vehicle and used to see up to tier 9 battles (mix of very late war and early cold war tanks like the jagtiger, m46 patton, t-54, and conqueror) much like the m5 stuart and tier 5 chaffee, before scout matchmaking was removed and it was added to the regular mix of vehicles it's own tier and max of tier 7.

[@burntbybrighteyes]

I just have to point out that at 5:03 they called the little Luchs we see "Sturer Bock" which means "stubborn buck". Which is just lovely :)

[@burntbybrighteyes]

@Niek Vels I don’t speak Dutch but it sounds fitting, at least in the sense that often words have more than one definitive meaning. In German when you call someone a “sturer Bock” it’s not exactly positive, you’re saying “you stubborn fool” basically. But in a way where sometimes negative things are twisted to be more positive there’s also the connotation that a sturer Bock doesn’t back down, doesn’t surrender, stands his ground. Also the animal is for sure considered to be tough, show off-e, and “manly”.

[@mebsrea]

“Bock” is not “buck,” but “billy goat”.

[@burntbybrighteyes]

@@mebsrea Yes you are correct. That's what I meant but I fell in a bit of a false-friend trap. I would only add another suggestion and that's that actually were I live there are a lot of Steinböcke so one could theoretically also translate it to stubborn Ibex.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Always liked this little guy. Sorta reminds me of a German version of the Stuart. Zoom Zoom!

[@lairdcummings9092]

Rather better than the Stuart, excepting the gun.

[@DrLoverLover]

@@lairdcummings9092 and the production numbers...

[@russellborn515]

Amazing that with only 100 produced, two still survive!

[@charliechapman9217]

The Luchs, also known as one of/if not the most cutest german tank built during ww2!!

[@PobortzaPl]

The only cute thing created in Germany at that time...

[@scrubsrc4084]

Beep beep

[@lowesmanager8193]

@@PobortzaPl The Panzer 1 is pretty cute too

[@Sofus.]

Panzer II Ausf.J (VK 16.01)

[@nmspy]

Tiger: FEAR ME Luchs: *quietly* fear me too!

[@scottyfox6376]

Being a boilermaker by trade I always look at the welding on structures for quality indications. From just what I can see, looks pretty damn sweet.

[@jinpark8879]

The Germans are famous for being proud of their welding qualities. Many had extra welding to have more structure. The Russians… I’ll leave that to your evaluation 😅 A large portion of T-34 crew and tanks were destroyed by not penetration, but by sprawling and armor plates falling off.

[@bobjohnston8316]

@@jinpark8879 If you aren’t following the Australian Armor And Artillery Museum website take a look at their KZbin videos on their Tiger 1 “restoration”. They were able to gather together some hull plates from various wrecks in eastern Europe (I think mainly Latvia). They fabricated out of mild steel what pieces they didn’t have. They then assembled everything to form a Tiger 1 shell for display. It’s not a real restoration in the sense that it’s just an empty shell. Anyway, it took a skilled stick welder two weeks of welding to put it together. They commented that the Germans would have used 600 Volt welding with very large welding rods and assembly would have gone much faster.

[@markmarkie1950]

@@bobjohnston8316 Thanks for the information I will check out the Australian Tank Museum on YT 👍

[@DerSchleier]

Fun fact... 1930's N.S.D.A.P. Germany created a new welding process which Allies had no idea existed until they managed to examine German Panzers/AFVs. Their oxygen based welding process yielded not only the stoutest of welds but, too, made quicker the welding process time. Our subverted history.

[@gedq]

@@DerSchleier Hitler known for his welding skills was he? Germany =/= nazi party

[@bongfuhrer]

Willey- It got a 2cm gun. Me- Willey, wtf? You're drunk. It got a 20mm gun. Then I look at my empty vodka glass and decides it's time to go to bed..

[@catzo_5762]

Someone's drunk, just not Willey.

[@bongfuhrer]

@@catzo_5762 Can't be me..

[@Epicredeemer]

@@bongfuhrer nope, just the Germans

[@patrickd7890]

the Germans used Cm in WWII for gun calibre eg 7.5cm, 8.8cm, 12.8cm 15cm, 38cm

[@mathewkelly9968]

Germans would have called it 2 centimetres not 20 millimeters

[@F4Wildcat]

Now this is a great way to start 2021! My favorite german light tank!

[@gusgone4527]

It's the one that would still find a place on the relatively modern battlefield. A low budget FV107 Scimitar. The vector to get the "man with the radio" where he needs to be. With a good chance of getting out of there in one piece.

[@kdog3908]

Sadly, its successor, the VK 1602 Leopard never made it past the prototype stage. I too like the Luchs very much but I think the Leopard would've taken first place in my heart if it had gone into production. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VK_1602_Leopard

[@LankyAssMofka]

@@gusgone4527 I wouldn't turn one down 😂

[@stevemaenhout9996]

Please never stop keeping the spirit of old tanks alive

[@stevenflebbe]

Thank you for a good video about a rare and rarely shown vehicle.

[@deaks25]

A 2% survival rate for an Axis tank is, to my mind, pretty good and especially impressive is that both are in running condition. A fascinating little vehicle, definitely sounds like it's only flaw was sharing a factory with the Panther. I wonder how potent it would have been had it got the proposed rearmament with the 5cm gun, given how the Western Allies used their lightly armoured but rapid tank destroyers with good success. Always love it when a relatively unknown but damn good vehicle gets a Tank Chat. Can thoroughly recommend the beers that are produced for the Tank Museum by the way.

[@nathanfrazier8525]

The cutest tank around.

[@insovietrussiavodka]

I would recomment the title of the cutest tank for the Pz.I ausf F. What you have is a tiny 2-man tank, with 80mm of armour protection and just two MG 34 in the turret... It was nicknamed the Mini-Tiger and would pretty much act like a puppy trying to go though a doorway with a big stick in its mouth.

[@ostlandr]

I think the Pz 38t is adorable myself. Looks like a cartoon tank.

[@mathewkelly9968]

M22 locust would like to know your location

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

I guess technically, the Hetzer is not a tank...

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@@insovietrussiavodka That is a tough little midget! firearmcentral.fandom.com/wiki/Panzerkampfwagen_I_Ausf._F?file=Panzerkampfwagen+I+Ausf+F+rear.jpg Kind of an odd tank, slower and more sluggish than a Tiger, armed with only mg's, but can at least take a hit from light AT guns. I'll take the Luchs which is more than twice as "snappy".

[@davidraper5798]

Sometimes small is beautiful. Almost a baby Tiger or would that be a Tiger Cub?

[@alexdobma4694]

Imagine if the Germans had an armored vehicle called the "Kitten"

[@Zoydian]

@@alexdobma4694 Enemies would go "awwww" instead of fighting it or flee : ))))

[@iDEATH]

If there was ever tank that could truly called "cute" I think it's this one. Love the damn thing.

[@gusgone4527]

@@alexdobma4694 The Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101 could almost fit the bill. At least to English ears. Shame ketten is not German for kitten. The love child of a panther and BMW bike. With those cat like overlapping wheels.

[@Darilon12]

Tigerchen! But it wouldn't sound cute to a non-german speaker.

[@edwardpate6128]

Once the worldwide COVID madness is over a trip to the UK on my agenda. The Tank Museum definitely on my list of places to visit!

[@arthurhucksake2665]

It's absolutely worth it- I love the place!

[@yamabamlo]

I'm with @Arthur Hucksake - I've been many times as a kid and back as an adult, I'm not a museum or history kind of guy, but something about the place is just wonderful - try to visit on a day they are running the tanks on show. Bloody impressive!

[@christhorpejunction8982]

You’ve also got to visit Leeds for the Royal Armouries (and Elland Road of course), Portsmouth has some fantastic maritime museums including the Mary Rose and of course HMS Victory.

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

It is worth a visit for sure! 👍🇬🇧

[@MrHanslustich]

Amazing how many people here adore this recon thingy. Thanks for another tank chat episode!

[@HeavyTanker-vx4oq]

I really want to see this little guy run beside Tiger 131 some day.

[@obelic71]

If they weren't so rare Lloyd and Croftwould have used this one as my little tankie for Lieutenant Gruber in Allo Allo.

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

You might be right.

[@tenaxxband]

introducing the most fearsome German tank of all time; the "house cat"

[@CenturionMkXIII]

The Haunting tank know as " pissed off cat "

[@MS-qx9uw]

the Rheinmetall KF52 Orangenkatze (excuse my bad german)

[@magecraft2]

My brother who is a model maker was amazed by all the gear we all got him from the Tank Museum :) now to stock up for his birthday in April !

[@crazytrain7114]

be sure yo include photoetch and stowage, lol.

[@lufasumafalu5069]

what nonsense

[@desroin]

The thing about the Luchs is it just looks so damn cool 😅

[@Stuka87]

When I saw the Luchs in the background during the tank fest stream, I was really hoping we would get a tank chat on it. Its one of my favorite panzers.

[@Cancun771]

And here I had been hoping it was the 8-wheeler recon armoured car from mine own Bundeswehr days. Oh well.

[@PobortzaPl]

There, there. I hope we get that one also.

[@obelic71]

relax when the tankmuseum gets one of those coldwar/modern felines in the tank museum they make a video of it. The Fennek (a dessertfox ) recon vechicle will one day also be a part of the museum. but that will go in the Canines section.

[@MothaLuva]

I think the Panzermuseum has a video on that. I saw that already. It’s nice. Made me want to buy one.

[@MothaLuva]

Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJCXeZeej8Rmj6M

[@DarknessInferno15]

Damn, that's an impressive report on the tank. Really impressive. They figured all of that out fast.

[@BadSkeelz]

Gotta respect the British Intelligence Services. They had the Luchs' number.

[@RaptorJesus]

I mean, in fairness, they were the ones who were blowing up the factories..

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

@13:00

[@mikesadillan5834]

-How did they come up with that name? -The Enigma machine was broken.

[@erikverstrepen3373]

Beauty ! Well preseved, excellent camo scheme. Carries a bit of “oompf “ ?! Love that expression 👍🏼

[@herosstratos]

The rate of attrition of wheeled vehicles and halftracks under the conditions at the eastern front (and the mobility issues there) induced the necessity of producing a full tracked recce vehicle, or to lose the ability to do reconnaissance.

[@Cramblit]

Why is the luch so cute? Like legit.. it just has this cuteness about it.

[@connorcolquhou5845]

it lowkey wants to kill you tho.

[@battlejitney2197]

Probably my favorite german tank of WWII. Thanks for another excellent Tank Chat!

[@externallife1043]

Luch cutest tank, no bully please

[@carlclink9993]

Nice video you all produced. It nice to learn something when watching videos. Thank you.

[@shiva369]

The Luchs and the Pz I Ausf F are two favourites of mine. There's just something very appealing about these two little bruisers scampering around the battlefield. Light tanks with a difference. Great video, as always.

[@panjikusumo9779]

New year. Luchs tank chat. Off to good start for 2021.

[@MalumZeth]

Its interesting that these were produced from scratch in a factory. I always assumed they were upgraded from older Panzer2's that were getting obselete (like the Marder2).

[@WayneMoyer]

I'm a member of this Patreon and I have bought from the shop even over here in the US but I love the way each of these start. It's has to be a Brit thing. He always says "Join one of our membership schemes". To an American that sounds kind of sketchy even though I know full well it isn't. The Bovington museum is one of the most reliable and recognized museums in the UK. It just makes me laugh a little every time that I hear it.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

"Psst. Hey buddy, wanna buy a tank?" ;-)

[@marksimpson8577]

I couldn't agree more. I'd recommend changing the wording just in case. Why ask for more headaches?

[@JohnnyWishbone85]

@@marksimpson8577 -- Nah, keep it that way. Different ways of speaking denote different ways of seeing the world, and a diversity of those is nothing but good.

[@tomtomed1]

Very happy with the tank museum shop, got a model kit that was delivered very quickly and was far cheaper than expected! Also the video is great as usual!

[@olandewgamers9573]

An adorable-looking vehicle. Has a significant presence in many video games :)

[@kimjanek646]

The Panzer II L is the cutest tank ever. Such a great Pz II 😍

[@mattw785]

What a great thing to see in my YT feed.. a Tank Chat !

[@SeriousPoo]

Just a fantastic overview of one of my favorite WWII tanks. Thank you so much for posting this, one day I hope to be able to actually visit the museum and see it in person.

[@michaelnaven213]

Great way to start the decade with David and his Luchs.

[@malcolmheather3204]

Yet another great video - thanks so much folks.

[@lukemchale-jones3041]

Superb. Thank you.

[@Eulemunin]

Always been fascinated by this little vehicle.

[@Stefan-wp2qr]

Thank you soooo much, finally, my favorite tank ❤️

[@alluraambrose2978]

Luchs a weapon of destruction but also kinda cute.

[@tophermillman1991]

Not a Tiger cub, but a Tiger Kitten. And the Lynx purrs nicely, but has sharp claws.

[@WildBillCox13]

Thanks for the coverage.

[@JaimeWulf]

Always interesting and informative!

[@jasontrauger8515]

Another great review. Love it and am especially happy to have it, as a jump off to the new year.

[@Masada1911]

Happy new year to all you guys and girls at the tank museum and fans!

[@UpToSpeedOnJaguar]

The higher leadership was probably right that it was too complicated for what it was, but this and the Paner II ausf H were easily the epitome of panzer II design. I would have like to see a Luchs with 30mm or 50mm gun.

[@BasedMan]

Could have used the Leopards turret. Even though the Leo didnt see manufacturing, its turret was used in one of the sd.kfz. Puma models, sporting the very same high velocity 50mm PaK AT cannon. Would be a good way to improve its firepower, effective range and effectiveness against light enemy armour and emplacements. Not a T-34 killer by any means, but thats what the Panther and Stug are for.

[@Clemdauphin]

@@BasedMan T-70 killer maybe?

[@toddmoss1689]

Thanks for another excellent briefing! The Luchs was an excellent vehicle that could have made a major impact in 1942 in North Africa and southern Russia.

[@chaz8758]

Not really, an upgrade from the older panzer 2 and wheeled armoured cars but in no way going to make any real difference

[@AFV85]

Started building the new Bordor model's Luchs kit today! Very highly detailed! Loads of nice parts n goodies!

[@thegodofhellfire]

a great start to a new year! 👍🎉

[@ThisOLmaan]

thank you Mr. Willy really enjoyed this what I consider a Lecture cuz I learned a thing or 2 or more I had no idea of.

[@novkorova2774]

Was looling for this just a few days ago, good to see it's up now.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you .

[@sternencolonel7328]

Nice did know that there are still some of them existing, once the coof is finally over, I will really need to pay you a visit, keep up the good work.

[@p7outdoors297]

This is the one I've been waiting for for years. Today is a good day

[@andynixon2820]

That's a small tank for four people to fit in . Very neat tank though .

[@stevemercer952]

Always been one ofmy favourite AFV's

[@Grundag]

What a great way to start the New Year off right! Thank you, Tank Museum! ;o)

[@frankwhite3406]

A most interesting and enjoyable episode, a compact and smart looking Panzer. Happy New Year !!!

[@johnlansing2902]

Thank you for another great video.

[@alexandriaoccasional-corte1346]

This tank is so cute. I want one for my daughter.

[@crazytrain7114]

HA! Crowder fan, I see

[@c.j.zographos3713]

Excellent presentation as always. Happy New Year to all my fellow Tank Museum friends.

[@VosperCDN]

Cutest tank in WoT, Jingles would tell you.

[@janvandeven906]

Nah IC is cuter

[@stevemaenhout9996]

Luchs for life

[@Ulani101]

The Murder Kitten, according to Jingles.

[@pnutz_2]

surprised I haven't seen him in the chat

[@dave38434783]

Such great content from leading experts alongside the real thing. Who actually clicks thumbs down on these?!

[@tekis0]

One of my favorites!!

[@tb7771]

Finally my favorite tank of all time!!!!!!

[@oryxace2]

Love your tank chats.

[@Kraniumbrud]

it looks so much fun to drive

[@sergejkeser7270]

You have to love this tank, it is like the small little, cute and speedy Panther.

[@ronaldthompson4989]

Thatd be the VK16.02, prototype to replace this. Never entered production though (hence VK instead of Panzer)

[@tarjei99]

Always interesting, and as I've said before ; I even look forward to the sales pitch.

[@battlefieldbartender5671]

Really enjoyed this video, great work!

[@meatshield7206]

I’ve wanted this for so long!

[@TheArendt1]

Thanks for this interesting story.

[@eskimojoe37]

Nice! I alway thought the Lucy’s was a great looking tank but didn't know much about it's history and I am glad you have a surviving model of one.

[@aaronsbarker]

Good call with integrating the available models in your shop!

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Great video thank you, a very nice little tank.

[@jerbear3915]

I really like the way luchs look it's like a very small tiger

[@lafox2833]

The hull looks like a mini tiger hull lol

[@my3dbase]

Baby Tiger. Need one. Should fit into my garage 👍

[@Blastmaster1972]

Luchs! Cutest tank ever built!

[@_ArsNova]

People who dismiss this tank as being "too elaborate for its armament" utterly fail to grasp the importance of reconnaissance. Nothing can substitute a well-made reconnaissance vehicle, especially one designed for reconnaissance-in-force, for which a 2cm main armament is perfectly adequate. To compare it to frontline breakthrough tanks is just silly. All field reports and technical data point to it being highly mobile vehicle, well-protected for its role and compared to its contemporaries, and that was overall quite successful as a design.

[@kippamip]

Looks like you guys have been busy re organising the museum. I don't remember ever seeing the lynx in the many trips I have taken over the years. I'm going to have to look back through the photo's. I can't wait for this pandemic to go so I can make another trip.

[@dirkusmaximus9268]

Always been a fan of the Hetzer, although of course another role. Lenny of Möterhead had one !

[@ThePzrLdr]

I love this vehicle!

[@frankgaletzka8477]

A very good Video with a fair story

[@john-xo9mg]

Some things just look right and this is one of them

[@jasperb9233]

The VK abbreviation does not stand for Vollketten (fully tracked), but for Versuchskonstruktion (trial construction)

[@steve1315]

Very good.

[@robertcolbourne386]

It is a beautiful tank .

[@AndyM_323YYY]

Ironically, if they'd have had more Luchs, the Panthers might not have been so ineffective at Arracourt due to lack of recce units.

[@zeldov5735]

Yea, they were pretty un-Luchy.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

@@zeldov5735 Oh, well done!

[@andrewp8284]

@@zeldov5735 a pun of terrible beauty

[@MrHanslustich]

@@zeldov5735 nice one!

[@MrHanslustich]

@@brandmotivo Luchs like it could be fun.

[@Paramecium914]

Starting 2021 with the Luchs; must be a Luchsy year :D

[@WellWisdom.]

Awesome.

[@oxcart4172]

Good reconnaissance vehicle, Man!

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

It's like a lighter-gunned and -armored German version of the M3 Stuart, with much better range.

[@crabbyjungle5670]

Some versions did actually have a 50mm gun.

[@cookingonthecheapcheap6921]

This isn't about tanks, well sought of. It's great ordering from the tank museums store. You get a txt message the next day and it turns up on time. Unlike some places the items always arrive whole and are of great quality. Thanks for the videos guys. When all this craziness is over mum and I will come to an event at the museum. I'm also saying all this from Australia; shipping time is still great.