View source for Landsverk L-180

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Landsverk L-180
| image              = Landsverk L-180.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = Landsverk L-180
| origin             = [[Sweden]]
| type               = [[Armored car (military)|Armored car]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = 
| is_bladed          = 
| is_explosive       = 
| is_artillery       = 
| is_vehicle         = yes
| is_missile         = 
| is_UK              = <!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1933-1980s
| used_by            = See ''[[#Operators|operators]]''
| wars               = [[World War II]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = [[AB Landsverk]]
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = [[AB Landsverk]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = {{convert|7825|kg|abbr=on}}
| length             = {{convert|5.86|m|abbr=on}}
| part_length        = 
| width              = {{convert|2.24|m|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{convert|2.28|m|abbr=on}}
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 5 — commander, driver, gunner, artilleryman and loader
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = 
| caliber            = 
| barrels            = 
| action             = 
| rate               = 
| velocity           = 
| range              = 
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 
| sights             = <!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = 
| recoil             = 
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = 
| traverse           = <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = 9mm front and sides, 5mm top, 15mm turret
| primary_armament   = [[Bofors 37 mm]] or [[Madsen 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon|Madsen 20mm]]
| secondary_armament = 2 × [[Madsen machine gun|Madsen 7.7mm]]
| engine             = Büssing-NAG L8V V8-cylinder petrol (L-180)
| engine_power       = 180 hp
| pw_ratio           = 
| transmission       = 3-speed gearbox
| payload_capacity   = 
| suspension         = 
| clearance          = 
| fuel_capacity      = 120 liter
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|288|km|abbr=on}}
| speed              = {{convert|80|km/h|abbr=on}}
| guidance           = 
| steering           = 
}}

The '''Landsverk L-180''', '''L-181''' and '''L-182''' are a family of [[Armored car (military)|armored cars]] developed by the Swedish company [[AB Landsverk]] during the interwar years. They had a good international reputation for being fast, robust and reliable and were acquired in small numbers by Denmark, Estonia, Ireland and the Netherlands, among others. Their Swedish military designation was '''Pbil m/41'''.

== Design ==
The different variants were similarly configured, but were built on different chassis; [[Büssing|Büssing-NAG]], [[Mercedes-Benz]] and [[Daimler-Benz]] truck chassis. (See ''Operators'')

=== Armament ===
These vehicles were also similarly armed, most commonly with a [[Bofors 37 mm]] or [[Madsen 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon|20 mm Madsen]] [[autocannon]] but was also manufactured with other similar guns. The only exception, Finland, bought one L-182 and armed it with a 13.2&nbsp;mm L-35/36 machine gun. (See ''Operators'')

=== Engine ===
In the same way, as several different chassis were used, different engines were also used, and where the make of the engine is known, they were manufactured by the same company as the chassis. (See ''Operators'')

== Service ==
* {{flag|Denmark}}
Denmark ordered two L-180s in 1935, and they were delivered in 1936. They were used by the Army Technical Corps of the Danish Army under the designation '''FP-7''' and '''FP-8'''.<ref name="L-180"/>

* {{flag|Estonia}}
The only L-180 Estonia acquired was in 1937, and they were used by the [[Tallinn]] Police.<ref name="L-180"/>

* {{flag|Finland}}
The L-182 was bought for testing<ref name="FIN_ARMOR">{{cite web|url=http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/finland/finland.html|title=Finland|publisher=Tanks!|accessdate=2012-05-20}}</ref> in 1936, it was used by the armored unit of the [[Finnish Cavalry Brigade|''Ratsuväkiprikaati'']] ({{langx|en|Cavalry Brigade}}) and saw limited service in the [[Winter War]]. Next, the armored unit of [[Finnish 1st Division (Continuation War)|''1. Divisioona'']] ({{langx|en|1st Division}})
employed it, in the [[Continuation War]] in 1941, already with the original 13.2&nbsp;mm L-35/36 machine gun replaced by the [[Lahti L-39|20 mm L-39 anti-tank rifle]], conversion made approximately in December 1940. It seems that the armored car was out of service in late 1941 and was scrapped in 1945.<ref name="FIN HAC"/>

* {{flag|Ireland}}
Ireland ordered its first two Landsverk L-180s in 1937 and these were delivered the following year. Six more were then ordered and they were delivered in 1939. A further five were ordered but could not be delivered because of the outbreak of [[World War II]], these five were used instead by the Swedish army. Irish Landsverk L-180s were armed with a [[Madsen 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon|Madsen 20mm Cannon]] and two [[Madsen machine gun|Madsen .303 Machine Guns]]. The Madsen machine guns were replaced with [[M1919 Browning machine gun|.30 Browning machine guns]] in the 1950s and the 20mm cannon was replaced in the 1970s with [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|Hispano-Suiza 20mm cannons]] taken from former [[Irish Air Corps]] [[De Havilland Vampire|De Havilland Vampire jets]]. In the 1950s the Landsverk's engines were replaced with Lincoln 317 V8 petrol engines developing 155&nbsp;hp at 3,200rpm. All Irish Landsverks belonged to the 1st Armoured Squadron and used alongside the Irish built [[Leyland armoured car|Leyland]] and [[Dodge armoured car]]s until they re-equipped with [[Panhard AML]] armoured cars in 1972. The Landsverks were then transferred to the reserve [[Army Reserve (Ireland)|FCA]] units, five going to the [[62 Reserve Cavalry Squadron|11th Motor Squadron]] and three to the 3rd Motor Squadron until they were all retired in the 1980s.

[[File:Lithuanian L-181.jpg|right|thumb|Lithuanian Army L-181]]

* {{flag|Lithuania}}
The Lithuanian Army used the six L-181 ordered in 1933 and delivered in 1934.<ref name="L-181"/><ref name="LIT_ARMOR">{{cite web|url=http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/lithuania/lithuania.htm|title=Lithuania|publisher=Tanks!|accessdate=2012-05-20|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626104306/http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/lithuania/lithuania.htm|archivedate=2012-06-26}}</ref>

* {{flag|Nazi Germany}}
The L-180s from the Danish and Dutch armies were captured and used by the German Army for reconnaissance tasks, patrol and training, being called '''''Panzerspähwagen'' L 202 (h)'''.<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
The Dutch L-181s were also captured and put to service by the ''[[Ordnungspolizei]]'' for security duties.<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>

[[File:Ag scan0127.jpg|right|thumb|Dutch L-181 (''Pantserwagen'' M.36)]]

* {{flag|Netherlands}}
The Dutch Army bought 13 L-180 in 1938,<ref name="L-180"/> although it could have been delivered 14 L-180, including two as armored command vehicles without main gun (dummy gun instead).<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref> From Landsverk AB were also purchased 12 turrets.<ref name="L-180"/> The command variant used two special turrets. The command vehicles were used on the two armored squadrons, with one vehicle each.<ref name="NED_ARMOR">{{cite web|url=http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/hol/Netherlands.htm|title=The Netherlands|publisher=Tanks!|accessdate=2012-05-20|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627201803/http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/hol/Netherlands.htm|archivedate=2012-06-27}}</ref> The L-180s were designated '''''Pantserwagen'' M-38'''.<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
Netherlands also purchased 12 L-181<ref name="L-181"/> and designated them as '''''Pantserwagen'' M-36'''.<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>

The Dutch had two squadrons of these Landsverk's operational during the German invasion of the country in May 1940. The 1st squadron [L.181, M.36] with its four platoons of three cars each had been divided over the infantry protection forces of the major air-force bases of Ypenburg, near [[the Hague]], and Schiphol, near [[Amsterdam]]. The first six cars at Ypenburg were involved in heavy fighting and contributed considerably to repelling the German airlanding on Ypenburg on 10 May 1940. The 2nd squadron [L-180, M.38] was attached to the Field Army command on the central front of the country. Here they performed a large number of aggressive recce mission during which numerous encounters with German forces of the X.Army Corps occurred. The Dutch operations with the Landsverk's were very successful. Only one was taken out by German countermeasures whereas three were crippled by German bombs or debris on Ypenburg. A number were sabotaged by the Dutch after the capitulation of the Dutch army, but most vehicles were reactivated and serve particularly in the recce battalion of the German 227th Infantry Division in France and later in the former Soviet Union.

[[File:Pbil m41.jpg|right|thumb|Swedish L-180 (Pbil m/41)]]

* {{flag|Sweden}}
The five L-180 originally ordered by Ireland and not delivered, were used by the Swedish army under the designation '''''Pansarbil'' m/41''' (Pbil m/41). These vehicles had the Swedish-version of [[Pansarbil m/39|Landsverk Lynx]] turret with the Bofors [[M/40 Automatic cannon|20 mm akan m/40]] automatic cannon, instead of the Madsen automatic cannon on Irish vehicles or the more common turret armed with a Bofors 37&nbsp;mm gun.<ref name="SWE_ARMOR"/>

* {{flag|Soviet Union}}
Probably the armored cars from Estonia and Lithuania were captured during the [[Occupation of the Baltic states|Soviet occupation]] of 1940.<ref>[http://delfi.lt/saugu/ivairove/lietuva-zada-pirkti-svedisku-kovos-masinu-koks-likimas-istiko-jau-turetus-landsverkus-120093605 Lietuva žada pirkti švediškų kovos mašinų: koks likimas ištiko jau turėtus „landsverkus“ Skaitykite daugiau]</ref>

== Operators ==
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Country
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Branch
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Variant
!! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Quantity
!! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Chassis
!! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Engine
!! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Main armament
!! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Secondary armament
!! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Notes
|-
| {{DEN}}
| [[Danish Army]]
| {{center|L-180}}
| {{center|2<ref name="L-180">{{cite web|url=http://www2.landskrona.se/kultur/landsverk/militart/pansarbilar/l180.html|title=Landsverk L-180|publisher=Landsverk|accessdate=2012-05-18|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321180617/http://www2.landskrona.se/kultur/landsverk/militart/pansarbilar/l180.html|archivedate=2014-03-21}}</ref>}}
| Büssing-NAG<ref name="L-180"/>
| Büssing V8-[[Cylinder (engine)|cyl.]], 160 HP<ref name="L-180"/>
| [[Madsen 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon|Madsen 20mm]] M 1933 L/60 cannon<ref name="L-180"/>
| 2 x Madsen 8&nbsp;mm M 1924 type C machine guns<ref name="L-180"/>
|
|-
| {{EST}}
| [[Tallinn]] Police<ref name="L-180"/>
| {{center|L-180}}
| {{center|1<ref name="L-180"/>}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| {{IRL}}
| [[Irish Army]]
| {{center|L-180}}
| {{center|8<ref name="L-180"/>}}
|
|
| [[Madsen 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon|Madsen 20mm]] cannon
| 2 x [[Madsen machine gun|Madsen .303]] machine guns
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| {{flag|Nazi Germany}}
|
| rowspan="2"|  {{center|L-180}}
||
|| Büssing-NAG<ref name="L-180"/>
|| Büssing V8-[[Cylinder (engine)|cyl.]], 160 HP<ref name="L-180"/>
|| [[Madsen 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon|Madsen 20mm]] M 1933 L/60 cannon<ref name="L-180"/>
|| 2 x Madsen 8&nbsp;mm M 1924 type C machine guns<ref name="L-180"/>
|| Captured Danish vehicles
|-
|| ''[[Wehrmacht]]''<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
||
|| Büssing-NAG<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
||
|| [[Bofors 37 mm]] gun<ref name="L-180"/><ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
|| 3 x 7.92&nbsp;mm Lewis machine guns<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
|| Captured Dutch vehicles<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
|-
| {{NED}}
| [[Dutch Army]]
| {{center|L-180}}
| {{center|13<ref name="L-180"/>}}
| Büssing-NAG<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
|
| [[Bofors 37 mm]] gun<ref name="L-180"/><ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
| 3 x 7.92&nbsp;mm Lewis machine guns<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
| 12 turrets delivered<ref name="L-180"/><br/>14 L-180 delivered<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Soviet Union}}
|
| {{center|L-180}}
|
|
|
|
|
| Captured Lithuanian vehicles
|-
| {{SWE}}
| [[Swedish Army]]<ref name="L-180"/>
| {{center|L-180}}
| {{center|5<ref name="L-180"/>}}
| Büssing-NAG
|
| Bofors [[M/40 Automatic cannon|20 mm akan m/40]] cannon<ref name="L-180"/><ref name="SWE_ARMOR">{{cite web|url=http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/swe/Swedish.htm|title=Sweden|publisher=Tanks!|accessdate=2012-05-20}}</ref>
| 2 x [[M1917 Browning machine gun|Kulspruta m/36]] machine guns<ref name="L-180"/>
| Ordered by Ireland but undelivered due to British blockade<ref name="L-180"/>
|-
| {{LIT}}
| [[Lithuanian Army]]
| {{center|L-181}}
| {{center|6<ref name="L-181">{{cite web|url=http://www2.landskrona.se/kultur/landsverk/militart/pansarbilar/l181.html|title=Landsverk L-181|publisher=Landsverk|accessdate=2012-05-18|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213001/http://www2.landskrona.se/kultur/landsverk/militart/pansarbilar/l181.html|archivedate=2016-03-03}}</ref>}}
| Mercedes-Benz<ref name="L-181"/>
| Mercedes-Benz 6-cyl., 65 HP<ref name="L-181"/>
| [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]<ref name="L-181"/>
| 2 x 7.92&nbsp;mm Maxim machine guns<ref name="L-181"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Nazi Germany}}
| ''[[Ordnungspolizei]]''<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
| {{center|L-181}}
| {{center|<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>}}
| Daimler-Benz G 3 a/P<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
| Daimler-Benz M09 6-cyl., 80 HP
| [[Bofors 37 mm]] gun<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref><ref name="L-181"/>
| 3 x 7.92&nbsp;mm Lewis machine guns<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
| Captured Dutch vehicles<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
|-
| {{NED}}
| [[Dutch Army]]
| {{center|L-181}}
| {{center|12<ref name="L-181"/>}}
| Daimler-Benz G 3 a/P<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
| Daimler-Benz M09 6-cyl. petrol, 80 HP<ref name="L-181"/>
| [[Bofors 37 mm]] gun<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref><ref name="L-181"/>
| 3 x 7.92&nbsp;mm Lewis machine guns<ref name=BeutePSW>Regenberg, pp. 8–9</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Soviet Union}}
|
| {{center|L-181}}
|
| Mercedes-Benz<ref name="L-181"/>
| Mercedes-Benz 6-cyl., 65 HP<ref name="L-181"/>
| [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]<ref name="L-181"/>
| 2 x 7.92&nbsp;mm Maxim machine guns<ref name="L-181"/>
| Captured Lithuanian vehicles?
|-
| {{FIN}}
| [[Finnish Army]]
| {{center|L-182}}
| {{center|1<ref name="L-182">{{cite web|url=http://www2.landskrona.se/kultur/landsverk/militart/pansarbilar/l182.html|title=Landsverk L-182|publisher=Landsverk|accessdate=2012-05-18|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000720/http://www2.landskrona.se/kultur/landsverk/militart/pansarbilar/l182.html|archivedate=2016-03-04}}</ref>}}
| Daimler-Benz<ref name="FIN HAC"/>
|
| 13.2&nbsp;mm L-35/36 machine gun<ref name="FIN HAC">{{cite web|url=http://www.jaegerplatoon.net/ARMOURED_CARS4.htm#Landsverk|title=Finnish Army 1918–1945: Heavy Armoured Cars|publisher=Jaeger Platoon|accessdate=2012-05-18}}</ref><br>
[[Lahti L-39|20 mm L-39 anti-tank rifle]]<ref name="FIN HAC"/>
| 2 x 7.92&nbsp;mm machine guns<ref name="L-182"/> or<br/>
2 x [[Lahti L-33|7.62 mm L-33/36]] machine gun and<br/>1 x 7.62&nbsp;mm Maxim AA machine gun <ref name="FIN HAC"/>
| Crew: 4 (without rear driver)<ref name="L-182"/> or 5<ref name="FIN HAC"/>
|}

== Landsverk in Dutch museum ==
The [[Dutch Cavalry Museum]] in Amersfoort has a Landsverk L-180 in its collection. It is an original Irish version of the vehicle.
<gallery>
File:Landsverk M38 pic-5.JPG|Front view
File:Landsverk M38 pic-8.JPG|Rear view
File:Landsverk M38 pic-11.JPG|interior view, in front the turret and in the back the steering wheel for the second driver
</gallery>
{{Commons category|Landsverk L-180}}

== See also ==
* [[Landsverk L-185]] — A similar armored car from Landsverk.

== References ==
* Regenberg, Werner. ''Captured Armored Cars and Vehicles in Wehrmacht Service in World War II''. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 1996. {{ISBN|0764301802}}.

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120719023632/http://www2.landskrona.se/kultur/landsverk/ Landsverk] - Site about AB Landsverk between 1850 and 1992. (Swedish language)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120525041629/http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/ Tanks!] – Site about armored fighting vehicles used by several countries before 1946.
* [http://www.jaegerplatoon.net JAEGER PLATOON:FINNISH ARMY 1918 - 1945 WEBSITE] - Site about the Finnish Army.

== Notes ==
<references/>

{{WWIISwedishAFVs|style=wide}}
{{Weapons made in Sweden 1914–1945|style=wide}}
{{ColdWarSwedishAFVs}}

[[Category:Landsverk vehicles]]
[[Category:Armoured fighting vehicles of Sweden]]
[[Category:Armoured cars of the interwar period]]
[[Category:World War II armoured cars]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1930s]]