VK 16.02 Leopard
VK 16.02 Leopard
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[Client Values; Actual values in
355,000  Cost |
| 580116 HP Hit Points |
| 21.27/21.99.68/24 t Weight Limit |
- Commander (Gunner)
- Radio Operator
- Driver
- Loader
| 460550 hp Engine Power |
| 60/22 km/h Speed Limit |
| 3336 deg/s Traverse |
| 21.6356.82 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio |
| YesYes Pivot |
| // mm Hull Armor |
| 50/30/3050/30/30 mm Turret Armor |
AP/APCR/HE
AP/APCR/HE Shells |
32/1200/6
30/2000/18 Shell Cost |
| 30/30/4070/70/90 HP Damage |
| 95/110/15100/130/25 mm Penetration |
|
37.82 r/m ▲
26.09 r/m Magazine-fed Gun ▲ Rate of Fire Standard Gun |
|
390.9 ▲
Magazine-fed Gun
▼
Magazine-fed Gun
▲
1826.3 Magazine-fed Gun ▲
Standard Gun
▼
Standard Gun
▲ Damage Per Minute Standard Gun |
|
0.46 m ▲
0.39 m With 50% Crew: 0.585 m ▲ Accuracy With 50% Crew: 0.496 m |
| 1.7 s 1.7 s Aim time |
| 4040 deg/s Turret Traverse |
| 360° Gun Arc |
| -10°/+20°-10°/+20° Elevation Arc |
| 43275 rounds Ammo Capacity |
| 2020 % Chance of Fire |
| 360 m 360 m View Range |
| 310 m 700 m Signal Range |
V
355000
The VK 16.02 Leopard is a German tier 5 light tank.
The design of the VK 16.02, known as the Leopard, was based on the Panzer II Ausf. J (VK 16.01) and Panzer II Ausf. M (VK 13.01) that had been developed earlier. A dummy vehicle was ready in May–June 1942, and the first prototype was built by September 1, 1942. According to "Panzerprogramm 41", that provided for the manufacturing of 339 vehicles (105 by December 1943 and 150 by the middle of 1944), mass production was to be launched in April 1943 but never started. Later, the Leopard turret was mounted on the Sd.Kfz.234/2 designated as Puma.
The VK 16.02 Leopard is less maneuverable than the Pz.Kpfw. II Luchs, but it has more than twice as much effective armor, a top turret that works well for circling, and a much longer signal range. Due to the unusually thick frontal armour and heavy weight the Leopard can bounce a surprising number of shots and can also be used to ram other tanks and especially arty if there's not enough time to shoot them. Due to the small turret size it has better gun depression on the sides than the front and rear, meaning you should position the tank at an angle when on slopes.
The VK 16.02 Leopard leads to the VK 28.01.
Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables
Modules
Guns
| Tier | Gun | Penetration (mm) |
Damage (HP) |
Rate of fire (rounds/minute) |
Dispersion (m/100m) |
Aiming time (s) |
Weight (kg) |
Price (  )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | 5 cm Kw.K. 39 L/60L | 100/130/25 | 70/70/90 | 26.09 | 0.39 | 1.7 | 700 | 34400 | |
| V | 3 cm M.K. 103A | 95/110/15 | 30/30/40 | 37.75 | 0.46 | 1.7 | 141 | 34300 |
Engines
| Tier | Engine | Engine Power (hp) |
Chance of Fire on Impact (%) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | Maybach HL 120 TRM L | 460 | 20 | 510 | 14000 | |
| V | Maybach HL 157 P A | 550 | 20 | 580 | 19900 |
Suspensions
| Tier | Suspension | Load Limit (т) |
Traverse Speed (gr/sec) |
Rmin | Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | VK 16.02 Leopard | 21.9 | 33 | 0 | 6000 | 4230 | |
| V | VK 16.02 Leopard verstärkteketten | 24 | 36 | 0 | 6000 | 12740 |
Radios
| Tier | Radio | Signal Range (m) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | FuG 5 | 310 | 50 | 630 | |
| VI | FuG 7 | 415 | 70 | 8160 | |
| VIII | Fu.Spr.Ger. "a" | 700 | 150 | 27000 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Relatively good gun depression on the sides
- 3cm autocannon with high penetration and burst damage for its tier, capable of destroying a Tier IV within two seconds
- 5cm KwK 39 L/60L main gun has decent RoF and good penetration on AP ammo
- Good armor for a Tier V light (the front armor is actually better than the VK 30.01 H, a medium tank). Good counter-reconnaissance platform; armor is rarely over-matched and can occasionally bounce shots
- Good health pool for a light tank (best in tier)
- Great for ramming other light tanks and artillery
- Turns like crazy when fully upgraded
- Good signal range
Cons:
- Poor gun depression to the front and rear
- 3cm autocannon has a range limit of 400 meters, has subpar accuracy, low DPM, and a long reload
- Good armor is still mostly irrelevant at its matchmaking range
- Prone to being tracked due to size of the tracks
- The Commander is also the gunner, meaning some tough perk choices
Performance
The Leopard's top speed of 60km/h is easily achieved with the upgraded 550hp engine, making it an impossible target to hit for players who auto-aim, and a harder target for more experienced players too. With its 700m upgraded radio range it ensures that targets will be relayed to artillery and teammates.
When fighting on slopes it is recommended to position your hull at an angle as you have better gun depression on the sides than the front and rear; remembering this allows you to use more positions than you otherwise could.
Guns
The Leopard has two viable weapon choices: the signature 3cm autocannon -- also found on the Luchs but with a bigger clip -- and a 50mm single-shot gun.
- The 3cm M.K. 103A's 360-damage burst is best applied from close range to the sides of enemies. It has surprisingly high penetration, allowing it to penetrate the sides of even most enemy Tier VII tanks with ease. The gun can be used on medium ranges as well but it is better to shoot in smaller bursts and let the gun aim-in a bit in between, instead of just emptying the whole clip at once.
- The 5cm is the more balanced option (and much rarer and hardly ever seen, the huge majority of players prefer the 3cm). Where the 3cm is a close-quarters tool the 5cm KwK 39 L/60L can be used on all ranges and makes for a decent sniping weapon. But once again, especially in long range combat, the sides of enemies are preferred. It has good DPM, accuracy, and workable penetration. Auto-aiming and circling lone enemies is viable with this gun.
The Anti-scout
The Leopard is much harder to kill with lower tier tanks than the other scouts. It offers a great amount of armor and a large HP pool, but the armor is irrelevant against most high-penetration, large-caliber cannons at its matchmaking tier.
Due to its weight, speed, and frontal armor, ramming lighter enemies is a viable tactic in 1v1 engagements, much like in the later VK 28.01. Especially against same-tier light tanks ramming can give a nice advantage. It's good to keep ramming in mind as an option when you are on the 3cm's 16-second reload.
The Leopard is not the most maneuverable tank but it can definitely give other Tier V lights a run for their money in a 1v1 fight. It is the tier's best anti-scout with its HP, weight, and armor advantage. The 3cm autocannon can finish off any other Tier V light with one clip.
Suggested Crew Skills
- Commander (gunner): Camouflage, BIA, Recon, Deadeye
- Driver: Camouflage, BIA, Controlled Impact, Off-Road Driving
- Radioman: Camouflage, BIA, Situational Awareness
- Loader: Camouflage, BIA
Equipment
The Leopard cannot equip a gun rammer, which actually makes the decisions for equipment easier than on the other light tanks -- you're not as torn between going for damage or view range.
- Active spotter: Coated Optics, Vents, and Vertical Stabilizer
- Passive Spotter: Binocular telescope, Vents, Camo Net
- Jack of all trades: Coated optics, Binocular telescope, and Vertical Stabilizer
With its crew setup -- Commander (gunner), Driver, Radio Operator, Loader -- the Leopard is crew-compatible with the Pz. M 15, Pz. T 15, and V-4/40, all three premiums can be used as a crew trainer for your Leopard crew.
Early Research
- The FuG 7 radio carries over from the Pz.Kpfw. II Luchs, mount it immediately for a better signal range. If you already have the top radio from another line mount it instead
- Get the Maybach HL 157 P A for a needed speed boost
- Now you have a choice. You may research the upgraded suspension for extra mobility, or revert to stock FuG 5 radio for mounting the heavier 5cm Kw.K. 39 L/60L if you prefer an orthodox gun. In this case there will be no weight capacity remaining for equipment
- Finish any incomplete research and go from there
Suggested Equipment
Gallery
Historical Info
| Weight: | 21900kg |
|---|---|
| Crew: | 4 men |
| Engine: | Maybach HL157P 12-cylinder 550hp |
| Speed: | 50-60km/h |
| Range: | 165km |
| Fuel Capacity: | 560 litres |
| Lenght: | 4.74 or 6.45m |
| Width: | 3.10m or 3.27m |
| Height: | 2.60m or 2.80m |
| Armament: | 50mm KwK39/1 L/60 7.92mm MG34/42 |
| Ammo: | 50mm - 50 rounds 7.92mm - 2400 rounds |
| Armor: | 20-80mm |
Since 1941 plans were made for the development of a new reconnaissance tank based on the PzKpfw II Ausf J (VK 16.01). In March of 1942, MIAG and Daimler-Benz received orders to build a fast (medium/heavy) reconnaissance tank, designed to operate under heavy combat conditions -- Gefechtsaufklarung. MIAG was to construct the chassis while Daimler-Benz was to manufacture the turret. Both were to be designed and ready for production by October of 1942. The main purpose of this vehicle was to be at HQ tank-platoons in Panzer units.
Two versions were proposed; the "Leopard (Leicht)" lightly armored fast version (18-ton) and the "Leopard (Schwer)" heavily armored unit (26-ton). The light version was quickly dropped in the summer of 1942 in favor of the heavier model. Design of the VK 16.02 -- named Leopard -- was based on the development of previous projects such as the PzKpfw II Ausf J (VK 1601) and PzKpfw II Ausf M (VK 13.01). Its hull was similar to that of the Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf J (VK 1601), but was largely influenced by the Pz.Kpfw. V Panther, which at this time was still being developed. Its suspension was made up of interleaved road wheels similar to the PzKpfw II Ausf L - Luchs and the Tiger.
It was planned that the Leopard would eventually replace the lighter PanzerSpahwagen II Ausf L Luchs - Sd.Kfz.123 (VK 13.03). A mock-up was ready in May/June of 1942, and the first prototype was to be finished by September 1st of 1942. Full scale production was to start in April of 1943.
The Leopard’s armament consisted of the 50mm KwK 39/1 L/60s and a 7.92mm MG34/42 in a newly-designed small turret. It was also planned to use the 75mm KwK 41 gun. VK 16.02's were heavily armored and had well-sloped frontal armor (influenced by the Panther). The Leopard was to be powered by Maybach's HL157P engine with a total power of 550hp, allowing the VK 16.02 to travel at a maximum speed of 50-60km/h. In order to improve its cross-country ability, 350mm wide tracks were used. Crew size was four. "Panzerprogramm 41" made provisions to build 339 Leopards (105 by December 1943 and a further 150 by mid 1944). The start of production was previously planned for April of 1943, but the entire production was cancelled in January of 1943 when the first prototype was still incomplete. The reason for cancellation was its heavy weight and lack of heavy armament, which made the vehicle vulnerable to enemy tanks. Additionally, development of the Leopard, being so similar to the Panther, became a hard sell after it was pointed out that reconnaissance Panthers could be developed and produced at a lower cost.
This concept was continued in the Daimler-Benz’s design of improved VK 28.01, but this was never completed and the entire program was cancelled on May 8th of 1944. The vehicle was to be powered by Maybach's HL230 (700hp), but Daimler-Benz engines were considered as well.
Finally the task of combat reconnaissance was taken by the PzKpfw V Panther and PzKpfw IV. Eventually Leopard’s turret, with its armament, was later utilized on the heavy armored car Sd.Kfz.234/2 Puma. Rheinmetall also planned to utilize the Leopard’s chassis as base for a 105mm leFH howitzer carrier, designated Waffentrager Leopard, and Sturmgeschuetz auf Leopard (L/70) assault gun/tank destroyer armed with the Panther’s main gun (the 75mm KwK L/70, but only wooden mock-ups were made). There was a similar project to use the Leopard as a base for the Flakpanzer armed with either the 20mm Flakvierling or 37mm Flak 36 gun, but it was never realized.
Historical Gallery
Historical Accuracy Errata
Despite the Leopard's in-game historical description, a prototype was never constructed. One was meant to be built by September 1, 1942 but the construction was delayed until the project was cancelled on May 8th, 1944.
- The 5cm gun was the Leopard's only primary armament. The 3cm M.K. 103 configuration is fake - The AP shell of the 5cm gun is considerably more powerful than in reality, with a whopping 100mm of penetration compared to the historical 67 - One of the Leopard's historically planned armaments, the 75mm KwK 41 gun, is missing. - Historical PzKpfw II Ausf G turret is missing
- The 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 is the same gun used on the Panzer III Ausf J, yet the penetration value of the AP shell is inconsistent
