AB Landsverk (full name: Aktiebolaget Landsverk, lit. 'The Corporation Landsverk') was a Swedish heavy industry company, manufacturing a wide variety of tracked and wheeled military vehicles, such as tractor units, off-road vehicles and armoured vehicles, etc, most notably the world's first welded tank constructions, among others, but also a wide variety of civilian heavy equipment, such as railroad cars, harbour cranes and agricultural machinery.
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It was founded in 1872 as Firman Petterson & Ohlsen. It was located in Landskrona, Sweden.
Early days
editIn late 1920, the company found itself on the verge of bankruptcy. Through a German company, the Gutehoffnungshütte Aktienverein für Bergbau und Hüttenbereich Oberhausen (GHH), invested heavily and gained control of 50 % of the shares.
In 1923, the company manufactured a small number of tracked agricultural tractors based on an American design. The Germans increased their ownership to 61% in 1925 and three years later the name was changed to AB Landsverk. In 1929, the German engineer Otto Merker was assigned to Landsverk to develop armoured vehicles, a few prototypes of a German design with both wheels and tracks were manufactured in Landskrona. In 1930, the Swedish Army placed an order of armoured car for trials, and a few years later three light tanks on wheels and tracks.
In 1933, Lithuania ordered six, in 1935, the Netherlands ordered twelve Landsverk L181 and in 1937, an order of thirteen L-180 armoured cars. Landsverk presented the L-60 in 1934, the first tank with torsion-bar suspension. There was some very limited export of armoured cars to other countries like Denmark and Finland. Hungary manufactured the L-60 as the Toldi. The Landsverk anti-II was an AA variant of this tank.
Landsverk built a few L-120 light tanks in the 1930s, one of which was exported to Norway, it was the first tank operated by the Norwegian Army.[1]
The modern era
editDuring the Second World War, Landsverk designed and partly manufactured, most of the Swedish Army's tanks. At the conclusion of that conflict, Landsverk was subject to an effort to dismantle German foreign business interests. Landsverk was confiscated by the Swedish state and, through its Flyktkapitalbyrån agency, sold to Kockums.
The Irish Army operated several Landsverk vehicles over the last 80 years. Two L-60 tanks were purchased in 1935 as training vehicles to supplement the single Vickers Mk D. Although, three tanks were of dubious military value, however, budget constraints prevented additional purchases. Both were out of service by 1953 due to a lack of tracks. Both are still in existence, whilst one has been restored to working condition.
The Irish Army also used the L-180 armoured car. The type was adopted to replace the aging Rolls-Royce fleet in 1937. Eight were delivered by 1939, but the last five on order were never delivered due to the outbreak of the Second World War (they were instead taken over and used by Sweden). The same was the case with many other vehicles in the Irish Army, budget constraints meant that the L180s were still in front-line service (albeit up-gunned with 20mm cannon) until 1972. Incredibly, they were then transferred to the Irish Army Reserve, the FCA, where they were kept in service until the mid-1980s. Five are preserved, including one donated to the Swedish Army.
The Landsverk Company produced an armoured scout car based on the Unimog S404 in the late 1950s. The Irish Army purchased 15 of the vehicles (originally intended for the police force in the Belgian Congo), in 1971 at a bargain price. They were intended as a stop-gap vehicle for use until the first Panhard M3 VTT APCs entered service in 1972. The type had excellent off-road capability but poor on-road handling due to a high centre of gravity and several accidents occurred as a result. A four-man dismountable squad arrangement was carried, but space was cramped and in any case a four-man detachment was far too small for any sort of realistic military purpose. Other criticisms were that the gunner's position was too exposed. Eventually the Unimog Scout Cars arrived in Ireland in February 1972, their departure having been delayed by a local peace group who thought they were destined for the Provisional Irish Republican Army. By mid-1978 all had been transferred to the Irish Army Reserve, the FCA. All were withdrawn by 1984, two are preserved; one in the transport museum in Howth, County Dublin and one in England.
Materiel produced by AB Landsverk
edit| Name | Year | Variants | Type | Status | Caliber (mm) | Main armament/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strv m/21-29 | 1929 | - | Tank | Swedish service | 6,5 | Ksp m/14-29 machine gun × 1 |
| L-5 | 1929 | - | Tank | Prototype | 37 | cannon × 1 |
| L-10 | 1929 | - | Tank | Swedish service | 37 | Bofors AT-gun × 1 |
| L-30 | 1931 | - | Tank | Prototype | 37 | Bofors AT-gun × 1 |
| L-60 | 1934 | L-60 | Tank | Export | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 |
| L-60Ö (Österrike "Austria") | Tank | Export | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 | ||
| Toldi I | Tank | Export | 20 | Solothurn anti tank rifle × 1 | ||
| Original Toldi I plan | Tank | Blueprint | 25 | Bofors autocannon × 1 | ||
| Suggested Swedish version | Tank | Blueprint | 25 | Bofors autocannon × 1 | ||
| Strv m/48 | Tank | Blueprint | 25 | automatkanon m/32 × 1 | ||
| L-60 (export alternative) | Tank | Blueprint | 37 | Madsen AT-gun × 1 | ||
| L-60S I (Strv m/38) | Tank | Swedish service | 37 | Bofors strvkan m/38 × 1 | ||
| L-60S II (Strv m/39) | Tank | Swedish service | 37 | Bofors strvkan m/38 × 1 | ||
| L-60S III (Strv m/40L) | Tank | Swedish service | 37 | Bofors strvkan m/38 × 1 | ||
| L-60S V (Strv m/40K) | Tank | Swedish service | 37 | Bofors strvkan m/38 × 1 | ||
| Suggested Swedish version | Tank | Blueprint | 37 | Bofors autocannon × 1 | ||
| Pvkv IV Värjan | TD | Prototype | 57 | PvKan m/43 × 1 | ||
| L-62 | 1936 | Anti (concept) | SPAAG | Blueprint | 40 | QF 2 pounder pom-pom × 1 |
| Anti I | SPAAG | Export | 40 | Bofors L/60 × 1 | ||
| Anti II | SPAAG | Export | 40 | Bofors L/60 × 1 | ||
| L-63 | 1933 | - | SPAAG | Blueprint | 25 | Bofors automatkanon m/32 × 1 |
| L-64 | 1933 | - | SPAAG | Blueprint | 20 | Oerlikon autocannon × 1 |
| L-65 | 1933 | - | SPAAG | Blueprint | 47 | AA-gun × 1 |
| L-80 | 1933 | - | Tank | Blueprint | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 |
| L-100 | 1934 | Prototype | Light tank | Prototype | 6,5 | Ksp m/14-29 machine gun × 1 |
| Suggestion | Light tank | Blueprint | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 | ||
| L-101 | 1934 | - | TD | Blueprint | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 |
| L-110 | 1933 | - | Tank | Prototype | Unknown | Unknown |
| L-120 | 1937 | Norwegian version | Light tank | Export/Prototype | 7,92 | Colt M/29 ksp × 1 |
| Swedish version | Light tank | Prototype | 8 | Ksp m/36 machine gun × 2 | ||
| Export | Light tank | Blueprint | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 | ||
| L-131 | 1934 | - | Artillery tractor | Export | - | To Siam |
| L-132 | 1934 | - | Artillery tractor | Export | - | To Siam |
| L-135 | 1936 | L-135 | Artillery tractor | Export | - | To Siam |
| L-135S | Artillery tractor | Prototype | - | Swedish prototype | ||
| L-140 | 1936 | - | Artillery tractor/SPAAG | Prototype | 37 | Flak 36[2] × 1: SPAAG conversion |
| Artillery tractor/SPAAG | 40 | LvAkan m/36[3] × 1: SPAAG conversion | ||||
| L-170 | 1930 | Pbil fm/29 | Armored car | Prototype | 37 | Marinkanon 98B cannon × 1 |
| L-180 | 1935 | Autocannon version | Armored car | Export | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 |
| PV M36 | Armored car | Export | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 | ||
| Pbil m/41 | Armored car | Swedish service | 20 | Bofors akan m/40 × 1 | ||
| AT-cannon version | Armored car | Export | 37 | Madsen AT-gun × 1 | ||
| L-181 | 1933 | Autocannon version | Armored car | Export | 20 | Oerlikon autocannon × 1 |
| AT-cannon version | Armored car | Export | 37 | Bofors AT-gun × 1 | ||
| L-182 | 1935 | L-182 | Armored car | Export | 13,2 | L-35/36 machine gun × 1 |
| L-182A | Armored car | Field mod | 20 | L-39 Lahti anti-tank rifle × 1 | ||
| L-185 | 1933 | PV M34 | Armored car | Export | 20 | Madsen akan × 1 |
| L-190 | 1932 | - | Armored motorcycle | Prototype | 6,5 | Ksp m/14-29 machine gun × 1 |
| L-210 | 1938 | - | Armored motorcycle | Prototype | 8 | Madsen machine gun × 1 |
| Transportvagn | 1934 | - | Transport wagon | Export | - | A transport wagon for Siam |
| Strålkastarvagn | 1934 | SIA Stockholm (Stockholms version) | Searchlight wagon | Swedish service | - | A searchlight wagon named SIA |
| SIA | Searchlight wagon | Swedish service | - | |||
| Lynx | 1938 | PV M/39 | Armored car | Export | 20 | Madsen autocannon × 1 |
| Pbil m/39 | Armored car | Swedish service | 20 | Bofors akan m/40 × 1 | ||
| Pbil m/40 (Volvo version) | Armored car | Swedish service | 20 | Bofors akan m/40 × 1 | ||
| Lago | 1936 | Lago I (Hungarian variant) | Medium tank | Prototype | 40 | MÁVAG cannon × 1 |
| Lago I (Export variant) | Medium tank | Blueprint | 47 | Skoda cannon × 1 | ||
| Lago I (Swedish variant) | Medium tank | Blueprint | 57 | Bofors AT-gun × 1 | ||
| Lago II (Strv m/42 TM) | Medium tank | Swedish service | 75 | Bofors strvkan m/41 L31 × 1 | ||
| Lago III (Strv m/42 TH) | Medium tank | Swedish service | 75 | Bofors strvkan m/41 L31 × 1 | ||
| Lago IV (Strv m/42 EH) | Medium tank | Swedish service | 75 | Bofors strvkan m/41 L31 × 1 | ||
| Strv m/42 TV | Medium tank | Swedish service | 75 | Bofors strvkan m/41 L31 × 1 | ||
| Strv m/42 DT (Delat torn) | Medium tank | Prototype | 75 | Pvkan L/54 m/43 strv × 1 | ||
| Ikv 73 | Assault gun | Swedish service | 75 | Bofors strvkan m/41 L31 × 1 | ||
| Terro | 1941 | L-60 IV | Tank | Blueprint | 37 | Bofors strvkan m/38 × 1 |
| KP-bil | 1942 | 1942 version | APC | Swedish service | - | - |
| 1956 version | APC | Swedish service/Export | 8 | Ksp m/39 machine gun × 2 | ||
| 1980 version | APC | Swedish service | 7,62 | Ksp 58 machine gun × 2 | ||
| Bandtraktor | 1942 | - | Artillery tractor | Swedish service | - | License built Allis-Chalmers M |
| Skogsbrandvagn | 1943 | - | Fire fighting vehicle | Prototype | - | Foam cannon × 1 |
| Pvkv m/43 | 1943 | 1946 version | TD | Swedish service | 75 | PvKan m/43 × 1 |
| 1954 version | TD | Swedish service | ||||
| 1963 version | TD | Swedish service | ||||
| Lvkv fm/43 | 1943 | Lvkv fm/43-47 | SPAAG | Swedish service | 40 | Bofors L/60 lvakan m/36/43 × 2 |
| Lvkv m/43-57 | SPAAG | Swedish service | 40 | Bofors L/60 lvakan m/36/43 × 2 | ||
| Sländan | 1944 | - | Self-propelled armored sled | Prototype | - | A self-propelled armored sled called sländan |
| Pricken | 1944 | Pricken m/44 | Medium tank | Blueprint | 75 | Pvkan L54 m/43 strv × 1 |
| Pricken m/48 pvkan m/43 | Medium tank | Blueprint | 75 | Pvkan L54 m/43 strv × 1 | ||
| Pricken m/48 pvkan m/48 | Medium tank | Blueprint | 105 | Pvkan m/48 × 1 | ||
| Strv m/46 | 1946 | LS 46 | Medium tank | Blueprint | 105 | Lvkan m/42 × 1 |
| TLS 47 | Medium tank | Blueprint | 105 | Lvkan m/42 × 1 | ||
| Pvkv m/46 | 1946 | LP 46 | TD | Blueprint | 105 | Lvkan m/42 × 1 |
| TLP 47 | TD | Blueprint | 105 | Lvkan m/42 × 1 | ||
| Leo | 1948 | Leo pvkan m/43 | Medium tank | Blueprint | 75 | Pvkan L/54 m/43 strv × 1 |
| Leo kan m/34 | Medium tank | Blueprint | 105 | Kanon m/34 × 1 | ||
| Lansen | 1948 | Lansen m/48 | Light tank | Blueprint | 75 | Pvkan L/54 m/43 strv × 1 |
| Lansen m/50 pvkan L/57 | Light tank | Blueprint | 84 | Pvkan L/57 × 1 | ||
| Lansen m/50 pvkan L/65 | Light tank | Blueprint | 84 | Pvkan L/65 × 1 | ||
| Lansen m/51 pvkan L/65 | Light tank | Blueprint | 84 | Pvkan L/65 × 1 | ||
| Lansen m/51 pvkan L/60 | Light tank | Blueprint | 90 | Pvkan L/60 × 1 | ||
| Lansen m/51S pvkan L/60 | Light tank | Blueprint | 90 | Pvkan L/60 × 1 | ||
| Lansen m/51S strvkan fm/49 | Light tank | Blueprint | 105 | Strvkan fm/49 × 1 | ||
| Lansen m/51S strvkan fm/50 | Light tank | Blueprint | 105 | Strvkan L/40 fm/50 × 1 | ||
| Pilen | 1948 | - | Light tank | Blueprint | 75 | StrvKan m/41 L31 × 1 |
| Lvkv 42 (fm/49) | 1948 | - | SPAAG | Prototype | 40 | Bofors L/70 lvakan m/47 × 1 |
| Pvkv II | 1949 | Pvkv III | TD | Prototype | 57 | PvKan m/43 × 1 |
| Pvkv II | TD | Prototype | 75 | LvKan m/36 × 1 | ||
| Pbv T fm/49 | 1949 | - | APC | Prototype | 8 | Ksp m/39 B strv × 3 |
| Ikv 72 | 1953 | Ikv 72 | Assault gun | Swedish service | 75 | StrvKan m/41 L31 × 1 |
| Ikv 102 | Assault gun | Swedish service | 105 | Ikvkan m/55 ikv L/22 × 1 | ||
| Ikv 103 | 1956 | - | Assault gun | Swedish service | 105 | Ikvkan m/55 ikv L/22 × 1 |
| Kranvagn | 1955 | EMIL 1951 | Heavy tank | Blueprint | 120 | L/40 smoothbore autocannon × 1 |
| EMIL 1 | Heavy tank | Blueprint | 150 | L/40 smoothbore autocannon × 1 | ||
| EMIL 2 | Heavy tank | Blueprint | 150 | L/40 smoothbore autocannon × 1 | ||
| EMIL 3 | Heavy tank | Prototype | 150 | L/40 smoothbore autocannon × 1 | ||
| Strv K | MBT | Blueprint | 105 | Royal Ordnance L7 × 1 | ||
| Unimog | 1957 | Irish Bren variant | Armored car | Export | 7,62 | Bren machine gun × 1 |
| Irish Colt variant | Armored car | Export | 7,62 | Colt machine gun × 1 | ||
| Ethiopian variant | Armored car | Export | 7,62 | Madsen-Saetter machine gun × 2 | ||
| Ethiopian modification | Armored car | Export | 75 | M20 recoilless rifle × 1 | ||
| Unimog with 8 cm rocket launchers | Armored car | Prototype | 80 | Oerlikon 8 cm rocket launcher × 2 | ||
| Unimog with 90 mm recoilless rifles | Armored car | Blueprint | 90 | Pvpj 11110 × 2 | ||
| Strv 74 | 1957 | Strv 74 H | Tank | Swedish service | 75 | Kanon strv 74 × 1 |
| Strv 74 V | Tank | Swedish service | 75 | Kanon strv 74 × 1 | ||
| Pbv 301 | 1957 | Pbv 301 | APC | Swedish service | 20 | Akan m/45 B × 1 |
| Pbv 3011 | APC | Swedish service | 20 | Akan m/45 B × 1 | ||
| Pbv 3012 | APC | Swedish service | 20 | Akan m/45 B × 1 | ||
| Strv A | 1958 | Main variant | MBT | Blueprint | 105 | autocannon × 1 |
| Suggestion | MBT | Blueprint | 120 | Pvkan × 1 | ||
| Strv T | 1958 | - | MBT | Blueprint | 105 | Royal Ordnance L7 × 1 |
| Strv S | 1956 | Strv 103A | MBT | Swedish service | 105 | Bofors L/62 × 1 |
| Strv 103B | MBT | Swedish service | 105 | Bofors L/62 × 1 | ||
| Strv 103C | MBT | Swedish service | 105 | Bofors L/62 × 1 | ||
| Strv 103D | MBT | Prototype | 105 | Bofors L/62 × 1 | ||
| Akv 151 | 1960 | - | SPG | Prototype | 155 | Akan m/60 × 1 |
| Bkan 1 | 1964 | Bkan 1A | SPG | Swedish service | 155 | Akan m/60 × 1 |
| Bkan 1B | SPG | Prototype | 155 | Akan m/60 × 1 | ||
| Bkan 1C | SPG | Swedish service | 155 | Akan m/60 × 1 | ||
| Lvkv VEAK 40 | 1964 | - | SPAAG | Prototype | 40 | Bofors L/70 lvakan m/47 × 2 |
| Pbv 302 | 1965 | Pbv 302A | APC | Swedish service | 20 | Akan m/47D × 1 |
| Pbv 302B | APC | Swedish service | ||||
| Pbv 302C | APC | Swedish service | ||||
| Ikv 91 | 1969 | 1969 version | Assault gun/TD | Swedish service | 90 | Bofors L/54 räfflad pvkan × 1 |
| 1975 version | Assault gun/TD | Swedish service | 90 | Bofors L/54 räfflad pvkan × 1 |
References
edit- ^ Dag Sundkvist; Daniella Carlsson; Thorleif Olsson (13 February 2003). "Norway". Tanks! Armoured warfare prior to 1946. Florida State University. Archived from the original on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
- ^ "l-140 flak 36". Retrieved 2018-05-25.
- ^ "L-140 med lvakan". Retrieved 2018-05-25.
