SKODA WORKS, PILSEN; DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF TANKS

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• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00415R003100040014-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 12, 2002
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: June 20, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

?
COUNTRY
SUBJECT
PLACE
ACQUIRED
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CLASSIFICATION
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO.
INFORMATI N REPORT CD NO,
Czechoslovakia
Skoda Works, Pilsens Development
and Production of Tanks
DATE OF IN
25X1A
25X1X
DATE DISTR. 20 June
NO. OF PAGES 5
NO. OF ENCLS. 2 tables
(LISTED BE-OW)
(2 paeoe
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
25X1A
25X1A
1. The development of fighting tanks by the Skoda Works begun in 19309 a coa-
paratively late date. The reason for this late start was the general opinion
prevailing in Czechoslovakia after World War I that the manufacture of nili-
tary equipment had little or no future.
2. Although Czechoslovakia had a regular arpy, the budgetary allowance for the
purchase of new eqairment was not sufficient to permit the acquisition of
complicated machines of war. Prior to 1932, Skoda furnished the Czechoslo-
vak Army with a fol.--uheel, pneumatic-tired armored car which weighed about
eight tons and was driven by a 60-hp. water-cooled in-line engine which per-
mitted a speed of i'3out 80 kn./hr. This armored car uae known by model num-
bers PA-I, and -IV. The first three models were armed with
machine guns, while the last one carried a 37.2 mn, gun in the turret. The
PA-II had a welded armor of rounded shape which was quite expensive to pro-
duce. These vehicles had a four-wheel drive and could go in both directions
with the mane speel, since the steering gear was double and the whole arrange
meat symmetrical. About 60 were turned out from 1924 to 1930.
3 The first tanks with tracks which the Czechoslovak Army acquired ware very
light and were designed on the pattern of the British Garden Lloyd. These
tanks wore not put out by Skoda but by Ceskomoravska Kolben-0anek (CO), which
as the second largest firm producing machinery, was attempting to break .1.nto
the arnanents field by manufacturing tanks, since guns were the established
monopoly of Skoda. These vehicles, which weighed about two tons, had a thin
armored. ease 6 to 1 mm. thick, were open at the top, and resembled the Bren-
carrier of 1orld War II. About 80 ware ordered in 1931 and 1932, but Vey
did not prove to be very satisfactory because of their tendency to mechgei-
cal breakdowns and their limited cross-country capacity, which was due to
short construction and a high center of gravity.
4, The next order was for a lioht tank weighing about 71 tons with a 37.2 mm,
Skoda gun in the tirret. CKD delivered about 120 of these vehicles in 1932
and 1933. Once a-iin there were difficulties, largely because the tracke had
a tendency to jump off when the tanks were backing up.
CLASSIFCATION
sTATLaix NAVY -rt NSRI:
x
_ .
ARMY
71FicIrridorenoL.r. tr.n? 0177ICXALS OUT
oiSR1BUTONT I
t
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5. Skoda, seeing' the conmercial success of these tanks and at the sane time
noting the mechanical difficulties, decided to push its own develepment
of tanks. Various types which were worked out are described in the attached
"List of Prototypes" (Table I). The first model to be put into production
was anIk.ton tank called the Sella or the T-II (also Lt.vz.35? neaning light
tank, model 1935). One hundred were ordered from Skoda and the same number
from CKD, which was to use Skoda blue prints. The main feature of this model
was the tracks and the bogies, which were especially designed to stay in
place under the most severe conditions of cross-country driving. However,
troubles of a different nature soon developed. The mechanisms for steering
and gear-shifting were operated by compressed air, which had the advantage
of easy handling but the disadvantage of complicated production and servic-
ing as well as of the danger of freezing in winter because of the condensa-
tion of eater. The gear shift had a very great range (1:12), but it had the
disadvantage of using a sliding dog clutch type of two-speed reduction eear
having a speed diffential of about 1:3.2 operated pneumatically. In opera-
tion, this became the source of violent checks in the driving elements which
caused mechanical breakdowns. After numerous and costly alterations an ac-
ceptable compromise was reached and the the order was finally carried out,
but no further orders were placed for this type of tank.
6. Profiting from these experiences, CKD developed a new model in 1937 which
was auccessfel and was produced in large numbers during World War II. It
was called the Lt.vz.38 (designated in German as Lpz 38t, meaning light
tank model 1948 Czech). This new tank used a British planetary 5-speed Wilson
gear box, which CKD was licensed to produce.
7. After elieeeating the most acute difficulties, Skoda succeeded in selling 126
of these Mieton tanks to Rumania. Afghanistan also placed a small trial order
with Skoda for the same model in 1939, but it was never filled because of the
imminent German attack on Russia. The ten tanks produced for this order mere
later sold to Bulgaria. The same country received an additional 15 tanks of
this type, 'which had been seized by the Germans in Rumania and reconditioned
by Skoda.
8. During the first years of the war, Skoda turned to more extensive experimenta-
tion, concentrating on a 17i-ton tank (see "List of Prototypes", Table I).
This development was to some extent in collaboration with the Central Depart-
ment for Experimentation, Ha PAU' 6 (Neffenprafermt No. 6), under Colonel
Olbrich in Berlin. The first prototype of the 1 2 ton tank still used com-
pressed air for steering and gear shifting. However, it was improved in such
a say that it proved quite satisfactory. The two-speed reduction gear was
built into the final drive, where the speed was less. This adjustment, to-
gether with a powerful multidisc synchronization, eliminated the shocks, This
model had double steering (radii of about 10 meters or turning on place) and
curve steering (10 meters) worked mechanically without the use of compressed
air. The air valve controller unit at the driver was electrically heated to
prevent the moving parts from freezing. The results were vita satisfactory,
and after many- trial runs, the manufacturing license was sold to Hungary, where
the tank was turned out under the name of Turaey. Ahout 600 were manufactured
during the course of the war by the lanfred-Weis Company, Budapest, TTaggontibrik
Gygr, and Ganz in Budapest. The erice paid for the license was about 6,500,000
Protectorate crowns, 28 Protectorate crowns equaling S1.00.
9. Mechanical steering and shifting of gears was also developed. Compressed air
was used to facilitate steering, particularly for blocking one track. The Rus-
sian T-34 tank requires over 70 pounds of pressure on one steering lever to ac-
complish this. With compressed air, it can be done with the touch of a Anger.
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It was, however, at length ascertained that in the ease of a 171-ton tank,
servo-acting brakes would fill the bill fairly well. Skoda tanks, begin-
ning with the 2-ton model, had a system of track brakes in which the front
tension pulls were effected by toothed sprockets meshing with brake drums
and brakes.
10. Skoda has a patent for applying the braking action to the front or rear brakes,
depending on whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward. In this way,
the part of the track in contact with the ground is always under tension and
cannot jump off.
U. The use of compressed air for the operation of the brakes made it poesible to
conduct air to the front or rear brakes with ease. The direction of the air
flow was changed simultaneously with shifting into reverse. With the elimi-
nation of the compressed air it was necessary to use a different system, which
was also patented. In this system, the braking action applies to all four
brakes simultaneously; the front brakes are designed for serve action when the
tank is moving forward, and the rear brakes for serve action when the tank is
moving backwards. Thio steering arrangement was used in prototype tanks Te13.
T-p, and Te15 (see TableI).
22. Considerable improvement was also necessary in the transmission gear. Skoda
teaks of this type used a three-speed planetary transmission which was built
into the engine fly-wheel. Its total range was about 1:3. To step this up
to an over-all range of 1:12 or more, an auxiliary two-stage reduction gear
was necessary with a range of at least 1:4- When the gear was shifted from
third to fourth speed, two actions had to take place at the same time: the
planetary transmission had to be brought from third back to first and the
multiplication of the reduction gear had to be changed from 14 to 1:1. No
driver could perforn these two operations manually, but it could be done
easily with the use of compressed air. Also, the brake bands and the clutches
of the planetary gear change can be easily and simply operated when compressed
air is used.
13. The testing department Wa Pre 6 of the German High Connand was not in favor
of using compressed air, mainly because personnel did not properly understand
its operation, so that servicing was made difficult. Skoda yielded to pres-
sure and worked out several experimental gear shift transmissions, largely of
the planetary type. The final form was a five-speed gear box of planetary pre
selective type. This feature was taken over from the Wilson transmission as
manufactured by CKD. With this device it is possible, while the vehicle is
running on one gear, to shift the gear lever to the next position and to make
the change instantaneously by stepping on the clutch. This system has great
advantages for tank; moving over difficult terrain such as mud or sand, sinme
shifting with a slide gear transmission in this ease would be impossible. Too
much time mould be eequired? and the vehicle -would cone to a stop before the
gears could be shifted.
14?
The next problem to be tackled was the compression by some other means than
compreseed air of the heavy springs used to hold the brake bands and clutches
in a locked position when speeds are changed. A snecial patented servomotor
las worked out alonil the lines of a friction clutch, deriving power from the
engine. When the engine stalled with a speed engaged, it could be started up
again by putting the reverse lever into neutral. The reversing was done in
final drive, where the driving bevel pinion meshed with two ring gears engaged
alternately by a dogeclutch. In this way, all speeds could be used forward as
well as backward.
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15. The brake and gear shift assemblies described above were first used in pro-
totype T-13, a vehicle which was otherwise of little interest. After the
value of the new mechanical features had been demonstrated, a larger tank,
the T-231 weiehing 171 tons, was built. This experimental vehicle covered
over 8,000 km. in good order. A few breakdowns occurred in the transmission
(the second gear shift), but it was possible to eliminate then by redesign-
ing a few parts.
16. In 1942 the Germans projected a fast light tank weighing 101 tons. Skoda
was invited to build four prototypes, and a similar order was placed with
CKD. Skoda built the T-15 tank along the lines described above, and one
of the vehicles underwent a severe road test of some 6500 km. at Kunmers-
doe near Berlin, the testing ground of Na Frill' 6. However, before the
development of the prototype was completed, the interest of Ha Pasilf 6
seemed to have vanished, and the test proved to be of a different nature
from what Skoda had expected. Three firms presented experimental vehicles:
German -AN, CKD, and Skoda. Hhile MAN and CKD had front driee, the Skoda
tank was rear-driven. The Kumnersdorf proving ground was sandy, and the
tests conducted there were designed to demonstrate that a rear drive Will
wear out the tracks sooner than a front drive on sandy terrain. The assump-
tion proved correct. There were several breakdowns in the transmission, but
they were of the sane nature as those in the case of the T-23 and could be
eliminated.
17. While experimenting with new types of tanks, the department for the nanue
facture of military vehicles at the Skoda works was turning out 6-6 trucks
for Rumania, and later, between 1941 and 1944, 3-ton half-tracks of Hanomag
design, called Hk1-6, were produced for the German Army. In 1942 arrange-
ments were made for working in collaboration with Dr. Porsche, a German en-
gineer and designer who was born in Reichenberg/tiberec, Bohemia, and who
had known the Skoda Harks for many years. Dr. Porsche had designed the gas-
electric transportation system for heavy artillery pieces (305-mm. and 420-mn,
mortars) used by the Austro-Hungarian Arny in the First Horld 'Jar. He was
also the designer of several successful Mercedes racing cars and contributed tc
the design of the Volkswagen now being manufactured at Fallereleben in the
British Zone of Gernany. His headquarters were at Stutteart (Dr. h. c. Ferd.
Porsche Konstruktions Gesellschaft G.m.b.H.) during Horld Har II and now seems
to be atGnAnd in Carinthia (Austria).
18. !hen the German High Command decided to introduce the 60-ton Tiger tank, Porsc/
was invited to collaborate. He advocated a gas-electric drive which for years
had given good service in hauling heavy loads. Other tank manufacturers stron
opposed the idea because it would entail an exeensive job of conatrection and
extensive use of corper in the gas-electric vehicles. Nevertheless, experinent-,
vehicles, called the TigereFerdinand? were designed, and Skoda cooperated in ds
signing and producing the first experimental number (38). Skoda made only certa_s
assemblies. The conception of the vehicle was not disclosed to Skoda engineere
Later, an improved model, the n1801?, was introduced. The final development was
the "Maus", a supertank of 130 tons, which will be dealt with in a srecial repf
19. The production of half tracks and of Porsche tank assemblies was finally dis-
continued in order to concentrate on the production of tank destroyers Fej.a8t
also called G-13. Since samples of this vehicle were turned over to the Ameri-
can Army after the liberation of Pilsen, it is not considered necessary to go
deeper Into the technical details, which can be seen, in their main points at
least, in Table II. The program was initiated in January 1944, but by the end
of the year only 300 destroyers had been delivered. In 1945 another 601 were
turned out at the average rate of 150 a month,
20. Although this vehicle had certain disadvantages such as low motive poeer?
highly loaded tracks, and unevenly loaded boeies caused by the off-center
location of the gun, the tank still represents a powerful defense weapon in
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view of its heavy armor and higleTomered gun (V-900, 7.5 cm. caliber). There
continued to be considerable interest in it after the war. After long hesi-
tation, largely due to lack of funds, the Czech government ordered 20 new
vehicles and had 50 reconditioned Which had been left behind in Czechoslovakia
by the retreating German Army.
21. The price paid for these vehicles is not known to source, but it is thought
to have been low. Czech military authorities pay only for new material, labors
and overhead, since they consider all war material left at Skoda to be a war
prize.
22. A more satisfactory deal was concluded with the Swiss Technical 71arfare Section
(Kriegstechnische Abteilung KTA) in Berlin, which ordered 8 tank destroyers
in 1946 for delivery in December of that year, another 100 in 1947 for delivery
between June and December, and another 50 in 1948, for delieery before the eed
of that yearo The price for each vehiCle was approximately 53,000 Swiss france
representing about 50 percent of the actual post-war cost, but since many parts
and assemblies were left over from the ear, the cost was actually well covered..
The Swiss Government will probably not order any more of these vehicles because
of the recent political changes in Czechoslovakia.
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TABLE I
Skoda
Yr
aldht
111.12n2
1.122i=12.4
n'anufacture
Mu-4 or T-1
1932
2.5
S-II'
1932-
18
1938
T2-D
1937
5.6
T-13
1939
14
__________________
S-lie or
1938
17.5
T-21
?
efiar 41.2111
MI/
1938
17.5
T-22
1940
17.5
Engine Tr422:
mission
4-cyl.pan- Slide gear
cake, 40hp. 6-speed, 3-
air-cooled 40km/h,
front drive.
31.4.32212-2.1
.4=zasi
Cs122
1 light MG
6-8 mm.
welded
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Renar'k
? -
still -
the fa-L-T
6-cyl. in- 3-speed epi- 1 gun 4.7 2 vehics
lino, 190hp. cyclic & 2-sp in turret deny,
water-cooled slide-gear re- *-2 MGs? MNO.
duction, 2-25 front 30mm
km/horear drive oides 22mm,
riveted case
Diesel,
4-cyl.
in-
line, 55hp.
water-cooled
Slide gear,
6-speed, 3-
36km/h front
drive
1 gun 4.7
in front
wall, 1
light MG,
front 30mm.
sides 16mm.
rive ease.
4-cyl in- 5-speed epi-
line, /30hp, cyclic, spring
water-cooled & serve orerat.
3-32km/h, reax.
drive
8 cyl. "if, 3-speed api-
240hp, water- cyclic & 2-
cooled sp., slodog-
clutch reduo-
t 3-4510016
rear drive
MI. SNP
1 gun 3.72
in turret+
2 NGs, front
51mm, sides
25mm.? riv.
CASA
I gun 4.7
in turret
2 MGs front
35mm. sides
20mm.? riv.
case
Ainae
Still
the fax;tc,rg
Still
the f:LtorT
8-cy1. V, 5-speed epi-
220hp, cyclic Nil-
tater-cooled son" change
gear, 4.5-42
km/h, rear
drive
furnished
without use-
pons. front
30mm, sides
21mm, riv.
ease
644
Engine
transm_
from
deliv.
MHO
8-cy1.1? 3-speed epi- furn, with-
260hp, cyclic t 2-pp, out weapons
water-coolad slide dogclutch front 50mm
reduct 3.5-477m/ sides 20mm
h, rear drive riv. ease.
AMP KIP tem aaa APPLovad Eor.Belost202/118/1,4 :.c1A.-?RDE83.7.00415.E001QC1040014-7_
FIPP.T1-771T/MnTwri. nvITTnTAts ONLY
Built
order
at fe.r.
?
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TABLE I
-2-
Skoda Year of Neight Engine
Designation Manufacture la_kna
Trans-
mission
Ualmaal
Amaral
aaaa
T-23 1940 18 8-cyl.V, 5-speed epi- 1 gun 4.7
260hp, cyclic, spring in turret
water-cooled 7 serve-operat.4.2 MGs
4-45km/h, rear front 50mm
drive sides 22mm,
riv. case
Remarks1
Still at
factory
T-15 1942- 10.5 8-cy1:7, 5-speed epi-
1943 230hp? cyclic, spring
water-cooled ec serve-opepat.
5-60km/h? rear
drive
1 gun 3.7
(not fur-
nished) front
50m, sides
15mm? welded
case
Built tm
order ci
OKH? om
still at
factory
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S-Ila
or T-II
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TABLE II
(a)
ggsjgatir
MHO
(Gmech.)slova
Ministry of
Natiolal D3-
fensu)
3-IlaR
Rumanian
army
S-Ila
Bulgarian
army
S -Id
Yugoslav
ari,v
..4
UPIftz Topir of
L.,migjza moidgcti on
100 1936 -
Ic,37
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TIMM
I gun 37.211
-1-0:77et 2
126
1937-
1939
se.X.
TO
1940
11
1937
6.5
4.1
Tiger-
Ferdinand
Nibelangen-
Uerk, St.
Valentin,
Oct Mark
38
1942 -
1943
1 gun 37.2m
front mall, 1
lient En
whole not '.LUrn:Ishad
vehicle
60 toze
nlaus"
siaa, s its AM Vt.
Pzj. 38 (t) 0 n
or G-13
die Pre mai
Psj. 38 (t)
or 0-13
8
1943 -
1944
not furnished
1944 uhol not furnish_
vehicle
about 130
tons
about
90
air mai
Kriego-Techn 158-
nische Alston-
ung in BerU,
Switzerland
38 (t) m N 0
or G-13
20
Ir ,WiSO 4.7? 494 NOS .4 4.74. .4
1944 -
1945
4 44
mall. 1 1M uith
AA mounting
1946 -
1948
Gab 41111511 ice
1947
04.
14,4 4[44 nor.
ft
a. a
3aaWcurnoT, - 71.5. (iFFICIALS ONLY
Envire
CITTaALmTmLIGENcE AGENCY
TAMS II
(b)
Font- r12-s 25m. 4-cYl.
sides 19m., rivit- g.so 225 hp,
d case. Inter-cooled
Imaaadam
3-speed epicyclic 4-
2-opeed slide dog-
clutch reduction, 3-
351m n, rear drive
promIda
Steering and gear
change operated by
compressed air
ems
if
ae. ? 91111P aim ad. vais amr? Mr. 1,24 011.
,ont plate, 30mm. 6-cyl. pamaka.
'foe 16mn., riveted gas, 60 hp, air-
cooled
furnished
&Ala.
not furnished
6-sreed slide gear
3-381cmih, front drive
?31,4 944-
lika? .00 awn
if
if
ba. 1.4 1544 ALM 440 .411.
.1411b iNt Oa/ fa* ona.
pl.: 7 60rat. 6-cyl.
, :aided gas, 160 hp.,
Inter-cooled
WNW 411,4 4i4
71
Furnished final drive
only, using epicyclic
gear reduction
it& 414. URA .r
if
fa* MEV iSao
40. WOW /44
5-speed epieye-ic
a1sonn, 4,5-38knVh,
font drive.
OOP Aim gib .444 One R4g. .1111?
4ina. 444 ?l.11 4746
RN.
4.4 46.? COS .10 690a 4415.
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*MD a 1(5.? a. air
'Furnished also;
bogies, tracks rez
tension pulleys
if
14.1i 4.11 0/1 One 414. Sas
It
01. Offa. Aka.
Transmissions, ar7rJn.
cases &I guns not
by Skoda. Vbhiclq
signed by M.
14111., Vai
MIA 4.4t 444
171 OLT:a
AGID 444 040
AB. 2 AMR.
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