Danish Army
Specific: See
"historical".
Historical: In 1937 one of AB Landsverk's
projects were an armoured car with capability to
manoeuver in terrain. It was a vehicle with 4 x 4 drive,
and drivers in both directions. The chassis were of
"self-carrying" type, and the vehicle had
special suspension system. The armoured cars design was
symmetrical, allowing the engine to be fitted on the left
side in the middle of the vehicle.
The first drawings of the Lynx armoured car shows the
vehicle with an early L-60 turret housing a 20mm Madsen
L/60 automatic cannon and a co-axially mounted 8mm Madsen
MG. In addition there were an additional two Madsen MGs
to the side of both drivers. The crew totalled 6 men, and
the vehicle was quite roomy. (Crew - Commander, 2
drivers, 3 gunners). Total weight were estimated to
6.500kg - 7.000kg. It was powered by a 6-cylinder
Scania-Vabis type 1664 engine, providing some 142hp
giving the vehicle a maximum speed of 80km/h. The solid
tires were bullet-proof.
At this time the Danish army were forming two armoured
car squadrons for the cavalry regiments; one at
Garderhusarregimentet in Naestved and the other at Jydske
Dragonregiment in Randers and the search for a armoured
vehicle did´nt stop with the Landsverk 180. They were
haunting AFVs which could be supplied rapidly, and as
Hærens Tekniske Korps and AB Landsverk together modified
the turret construction so that radio equipment could be
fitted, the Danes had a vehicle suitable for their needs.
The Danes compared the Lynx with other AFVs such as Alvis
Straussler AC III, and found the earlier to be the best.
Even though it was a rather expensive vehicle, the
possibilities of quick delivery were decisive as the
Danish army decided to acquire the Lynx armoured car. The
Danes commission plan counted 18 vehicles, cut in half
between the two regiments. Each armoured car company were
split up in three troops with three vehicles each, and a
troop equipped with Nimbus motorcycles.
However, Danish economy were troublesome and the first
order signed in December 1938, only included three
armoured cars. The cost of each vehicles were some
125.000:- DKr. These vehicles are delivered to
Garderhusarregimentet in April of 1939. The armament was
not installed before they had arrived, and they were not
fully combat ready until the autumn. They received the
Danish designation PV M 39 and license-numbers PV 9, PV
10 and PV 11. The foreign political pressure forced the
Danes to sign a second contract of another nine Lynx
armoured cars in May 1939, and in February 1940 another
six were ordered to complete the armoured car squadrons.
Delivery was delayed and after Denmark had been occupied
by Germany on April 9th 1940, Swedish authorities kept
the vehicles. As replacement Sweden offered deliverance
of the Landsverk 182 instead. Denmark chose in February
1941 to cancel the contract for the 15 cars and suggested
the order converted to steel for the Danish Naval
Shipyard instead. We were paid a check !
The three Danish Lynx never saw combat, and at noon on
April 9th Danish government told the army to lay down
their arms. The vehicles are used some between 1940-43,
although they spent most of their time at the workshop.
The Danish army were officially dissolved on August 23rd
1943 and the Danish Lynx disappears. Eventually they saw
service with a German police unit on the Eastern front or
in Norway towards the end of the war. Further fate
unknown.
Length: 5.21 m (203 inches).
Width: 2.25 m (88 inches).
Height: 2.15 m (84 inches).
Weight: 7.800 kg (17.160 lb.).
Armour: 13 mm max.
Engine: 6-cylinder, Scania-Vabis type 1664, 7.750 cm3
(473 cubic inches).
Horsepower: 142.
Transmission: 5-speed.
Transfer case: N/A.
Electrical system: N/A.
Brakes: Hydraulic, vacuum boosted.
Tyres: Bullet proof solid cushion tyres.
Fording depth:
without preparation: N/A.
with deep water fording kit: N/A.
Fuel type: Petrol.
Fuel capacity: N/A.
Range: 200 km (125 miles).
Crew: 6.
Armament: One 20 mm machine gun, three 8
mm machine guns. 195 rounds were carried to the 20 mm gun
and 2.160 rounds for the 8 mm guns
Additional: More about the Lynx can be
read at "Landsverk Lynx - Another armoured
car from AB Landsverk" by Thorleif Olsson
|
