Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Skoda PA-II Zelva (Turtle)

1925 WORLD WAR 2

History of Skoda PA-II Zelva (Turtle)

The newly formed Czech army - born after independence from Austria-Hungary before the end of the First World War (1914-1918) - moved quickly to build up stocks, which allowed local industry to flourish between the two world wars . In 1920, the initiative for a new armored car produced the forgotten Skoda-Fiat "Turin" based on the chassis of an Italian truck (described in detail elsewhere on this page). This prompted engineers to develop a custom system that became two prototypes dubbed "PA-I" (notable for their symmetrical "dual drive" system that allowed the vehicle to reach maximum speed even when entering and maximum hold maneuver undo). PA-I was the basis for the later more refined form PA-II "Zelva" ("turtle"). This iconic car was designed with a circular armored body, hence the unofficial name. Officials call the car "Obrneny Model 1923" and "OA vz.

23" acronyms.

Army authorities approved the new vehicle program and ordered the type to go into production with the commitment of 12, which arrived in late 1924/early 1925. The PA-II shares the same internal layout as the previous PA-I, while retaining the key qualities of dual propulsion, but its most distinctive feature is its circular armor scheme. Skoda engineers opted for a smoother approach in their second attempt, rather than the sharp lines evident in earlier designs.

The entire armor structure is replaced by hammer casting, and the armor protection reaches 5.5 mm. The casing assembly is riveted to the frame during final assembly to form a strong integral connection - helping to prevent small arms fire and artillery jetting.

Observation slots are cut into the superstructure to provide situational awareness, and cooling slots are present on the engine mounts. Crew entry and exit is through hinged hull side doors.

As with previous iterations of the Czech armored vehicle, the armament is fully concentrated on the machine gun. However, the PA-II was allowed to hold 4 x 7.92mm Schwarzlose MG08 ball bearing water-cooled machine guns and over 6,000 rounds of ammunition.

They are located at the four corners of the fuselage to ensure maximum flexibility in terms of pressure corners. As with the PA-I prototype, the crew consisted of 5 people, which forced dedicated gunners (two of them) to move from muzzle to muzzle as needed. There are also two drivers (for forward and reverse driving) and a vehicle commander. Power is provided by a 70 hp in-house Skoda 4-cylinder unit.

Combined with the armored body, highway speeds can reach just under 30 mph, but the vehicle suffers badly in terms of off-road performance due to the weak suspension, despite the 4x4 drive mass.

The series was evaluated for service by the Czech Army in 1925, but failed to pass validation - unfavorably characterized by the narrow combat conditions, low ground clearance and weight resulting from the armor scheme, resulting in a basically low profile and bulky fighter - worthy of the name the "turtle". The design was eventually rejected by the Army in favor of the Skoda PA-III, and the car was promoted for a more modern look and better performance.

Skoda managed to sell its Turtle to Austria for use by the capitals police (three were delivered), and in the 1930s Czech police finally acquired nine unclaimed army vehicles. A total of 12 were built - although only 10 of them were actually armored, the remaining two were stripped for driver training.

Specimens still in use when Germany annexed Czechoslovakia in 1939 were owned by German troops and ended up as such. Their main role during the war was to be a mobile communications relay platform on which to transport German radio equipment.

Overall, the wartime series is completely outdated, but it still finds that character.

A 1927 offshoot of the Turtle was born as the Skoda PA-II "Delovy", a design that introduced an improved armored superstructure housing a powerful 75mm Skoda L/28 gun. The gun was biased to port to allow the driver to be on the starboard side of the hull.

The commander's cupola was also mounted on the superstructure roof, and a pair of machine guns were mounted through the tee for local defense. The vehicle was intended as an artillery support platform, but only one prototype appears to have been built.