Praga V3S

The Praga V3S (Vojenský třítunový speciál/ Military 3ton Special) is an all-terrain multi-purpose truck, produced between 1953 and 1990 in Czechoslovakia. It was designed for the armed forces and was also exported to 72 countries.[1] Praga produced the truck until 1964, then the Avia company till around 1986, after which the Bratislava company BAZ rolled out these vehicles till 1990. Around 130,000 units were manufactured.[2] The truck was among the best off-road cargo vehicles of its time and the Czechoslovak Army used it for more than half a century.[3] It was the longest produced Czechoslovak truck[4] and it still serves in Czech Army for more than 70 years, despite being slowly replaced by Tatra 810 and Tatra 815.[5]

Praga V3S
Praga V3S of Czech Army
Overview
ManufacturerPraga
Production
  • 1953-1964 (Praga)
  • 1964-1988 (Avia)
  • 1986-1990 (BAZ)
Powertrain
Engine7.4L Tatra 912-1 I6 diesel
Transmission4-step
Dimensions
Length6.91 m (272 in)
Width2.31 m (91 in)
Height2.92 m (115 in)
Curb weight5,470–8,650 kg (12,059–19,070 lb)

Development

For the development till prototype stage of the truck, designers were given only four months. They were inspired mainly by the American Studebaker US6 and Russian ZiL.[3] Due to the design of axle gearboxes (axles are positioned high above the wheels axis), the V3S has a high ground clearance, this structure provides great terrain passability, but on the other hand limits the maximum speed to 60 km/h (37 mph). The V3S was a durable, popular and extremely adaptable truck built in various versions and widely exported, therefore it is not difficult to see V3S based vehicles still hard at work nowadays.[6]

Description

The engine is an air-cooled diesel six-cylinder "Tatra 912-1" (modified engine from Tatra 111), with a capacity of 7412 cm³, direct fuel injection and overhead valves. It is relatively noisy, but works reliably even in extreme conditions. Climbing ability is up to 75% (without tow). Ten wheels (rear are four dual, front are two) help the truck not to bog down in soft soil, therefore it does not experience any problems in forests or in the field. Consumption is 30 liters of diesel per 100 km, the fuel tank has a capacity of 120 liters. The truck is able to get over 40 cm high perpendicular obstacle, wading depth is 80 cm. There are two batteries (12 V, 125 Ah), they connected in parallel during traffic, but serially when engine starts. The payload of the truck is 5 tons on paved surfaces and 3 tons on rough terrain.

Users

Former users

Images
Praga V3S truck crane
30mm twin self-propelled AA gun М53/59 on Praga V3S chassis
Praga V3S with X-ray medical examination bay
Praga V3S tanker
Praga V3S M2
Praga V3S fire engine
Deicing vehicle Oz-88 on Praga V3S chassis
Praga V3S open truck

References
  1. Pragaglobal, Praga V3S
  2. Aktuálně.cz, Suverén v terénu, peklo pro řidiče. Praga V3S má 60 let
  3. iDNES, Nesmrtelná babička vejtřaska slaví šedesátiny, 2. dubna 2013
  4. Praga V3S: kdo v zimě nečetl noviny, ten ji nenastartoval
  5. Vejtřaska slaví v armádě sedmdesát let. Díky funkční konstrukci stále slouží
  6. Made in the Czech Republic – Praga Archived 2016-02-08 at the Wayback Machine
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