► Photothread: Czechoslovakian soft skin transport vehicles 1930-1945

[brano]

to Bill Murray:
T 7 is closer to the load platform, a fenders under the door. T8 has a wider cabin without fenders.

[Bill Murray]

Thank you very much Brano:

I was really hoping there was someone on the Forum that could help identify some of the lesser known vehicles for me/us.
Finding photos is not too difficult, finding photos with proper identification is rather hard and finding written information
is even more difficult. At least for me, and what I do find is usually in the Czech language which Google Translate does
not always accurately convert to English.

Again, I appreciate your expertise and I hope you will continue to point out any inaccuracies that we may post here.

Bill

[brano]

Nice topic. Especially Czechoslovak tractors. It´s were superior products. Too bad that none of the plurality of types still no preserved.

Škoda MTH/I/ MTH/II and MTH/III. Use of German, Slovak State and the post-war Czechoslovak army.

[Maxschnauzer]

A concise history of the Skoda Radschlepper Ost can be found here http://www.off-road-drive.ru/archive/56 ... noe_voynoy
I found this of particular interest (Google translation):

Novelty has a number of interesting technical features. In particular, to be able to easily run the engine in the harsh Russian winter (and the Germans had already been extensive and bitter experience of the Winter War in Russia), was provided to the RSO "puskach" - a small two-cylinder four-stroke engine, which allowed any frost easily jumpstart the basic engine. It is interesting that for this purpose was adapted "opolovinenny" engine KdF - the same one that in its time was designed for the famous Volkswagen. The first batch of 10 Radschlepper Ost was equipped with such engines.

The reference to a two cylinder "opolovinenny" KdF engine is confusing. The original Russian is

Новинка обладала рядом интересных технических особенностей. В частности, чтобы иметь возможность без труда запускать двигатель в условиях суровой русской зимы (а у немцев к тому времени уже был обширный и горький опыт зимней войны в России), на RSO был предусмотрен «пускач» — маленький двухцилиндровый четырехтактный мотор, позволявший в любой мороз без особого труда дать старт основному двигателю. Любопытно, что для этой цели был приспособлен «ополовиненный» двигатель KdF — тот самый, что в свое время разрабатывался для знаменитых Volkswagen. Первая партия из 10 Radschlepper Ost была укомплектована такими моторами.

Does anyone know what 2 cylinder engine he's talking about? Was there a two cylinder version of the KdF engine?

[SIS 5]

Hi Max

the two cylinder "opolovinenny" KdF engine means " half of the two-cylinder Petrol engine of the so-called KdF-Wagen (Volkswagen type 60), here used as a starter.

Regards

Bert

[ilfil]

Hi Max

the two cylinder "opolovinenny" KdF engine means " half of the two-cylinder Petrol engine of the so-called KdF-Wagen (Volkswagen type 60), here used as a starter.

Regards

Bert

Yep, later fitted to this thing in twin form (backdated to 4 cylinders again):
http://auto.aggress.ru/en/car/6/
Please note the front and rear track, and the wheelbase shown there!

[Bill Murray]

Hi Brano:

Yes, the technology of the various Czech vehicle producers was very advanced indeed.

Not only the tractors we discuss here, but the suspension systems and engines/motors were ahead of their time when we discuss passenger cars and trucks as well.

Sadly, Praga seems to be not in business anymore. Tatra continue to make a wide range of trucks that are respected worldwide and Skoda
in a partnership with Volkswagen continues to make passenger cars although they seem to be based now on VW mechanical components.

A proud heritage that continues and is especially remarkable considering that the former Czechoslovakia, now the Czech and Slovak Republics, was not a large country and still is a large part of automotive history, continuing on into the present.

Bill

[Bill Murray]

Again, perhaps a question for Brano:

You have posted photos of the Skoda MTH.
I have also some photos of variants of this vehicle but on the Czech sites I got them from, they are described as Praga MTH vehicles.
Google does a very poor translation of the details, but perhaps Praga license produced a Skoda design or Skoda license produced a Praga design?

I am only posting two photos, but I have several more in my files that show a wide difference in the look of the vehicles.

Your expertise is appreciated.

Bill

[Maxschnauzer]

Hi Max

the two cylinder "opolovinenny" KdF engine means " half of the two-cylinder Petrol engine of the so-called KdF-Wagen (Volkswagen type 60), here used as a starter.

Regards

Bert

Yep, later fitted to this thing in twin form (backdated to 4 cylinders again):
http://auto.aggress.ru/en/car/6/
Please note the front and rear track, and the wheelbase shown there!

Hello Bert and ilfil,
Very interesting. Thanks for clearing that up. I knew a KdF prototype had a 3 cylinder before settling on the flat four but the reference to the twin was confusing to me. As for the wheelbase and track of the ZAZ... Now that's what I call a real Mini Car!

[brano]

Hi Bill:

Tractor in the pictures are Praga III (Attention ! Not Praga T-3).
See the following website:
http://forum.valka.cz/index.php/f/509830

Ad. Praga MTH vs. Skoda MTH. It's a mistake. MTH produced by Škoda, no Praga. No license.

[Jose85]

Hello, thank you for the photos and informations. Only one question for start- is it a strictly photo thread, or are links to galleries,articles... okay here? I´m still little confused with the AHF changes.

Skoda probably 250series Diesel? van and other Skoda(s)...

http://www.1944.pl/img/fototeka/L/MPWIP791.jpg

Source:
http://www.1944.pl/galerie/fototeka/kategoria/70

Skoda Superb Umbau (damn branches)

sksuperbliW.jpg (82.68 KiB) Viewed 1457 times

http://www.autogallery.org.ru/m/skoda924.htm

Few articles (in Czech , but lot of photos)
http://auta5p.eu/katalog/skoda/popular_15.php
http://auta5p.eu/katalog/skoda/rapid_ohv_02.php
http://www.automobilrevue.cz/rubriky/au ... 41185.html
http://www.automobilrevue.cz/rubriky/au ... 41366.html

...I will try to add more info in english, if i have time...

[Bill Murray]

Hi Jose:

I can only speak for myself, but since I started the thread topic, I would like to see anything anyone can find on Czechoslovakian
vehicles whether it be photos, links to photo sites or article sites.... Whatever information we can find only adds to the
general body of knowledge.

I cannot speak for the Forum but perhaps Marcus may see this and add his thoughts.

I have a lot more materiel to post here but I have been completely taken up with trying to close out my late Brother's Estate these last weeks.
He passed away without a Last Will & Testament and it has taken almost 5 months to get everything settled and I think I now have that done as of yesterday. Hopefully, I can return here more often as I have a lot more free time.

Bill

[Bill Murray]

OK, time to start up again.

For this "session" I will try to cover the Tatra range of trucks and automobiles that either are obviously in military
service during our period of interest or should have been as the Czechoslovakian military and later the Germans
used up literally all of the functioning vehicle park for military duties.

For this one, one photo of the Tatra T23 truck. Originally introduced in the late 1920's, I believe it served for many more years.
Bill

[Bill Murray]

Next are 3 example photos of the T24 model introduced in the early 1930's.

Bill

[Bill Murray]

Here a couple of T25 photos of about the same time frame.
Bill