Ivo Pejčoch, Oldřich Pejs - Obrněná technika 6, Střední Evropa 1919-1945 I.část, vydavateľstvo ARES, Praha 2005, ISBN 80-86158-46-2
Vladimír Francev, Charles K. Kliment - Československá obrněná vozidla 1918-1948, vydavateľstvo ARES, II. vydanie, Praha 2004, ISBN 80-86158-40-3
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Skoda-S-IIc-Skoda-T-21-t104919#376789
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Škoda Š-IIc Škoda T-21
Work on this medium tank began in September 1936. At the same time, the Škoda company worked in cooperation with the ČKD company on the medium tank project ŠP-IIb. The project and prototype went through three phases of modifications before finally meeting the technical requirements and was reliable.
1. phase The prototype was completed in May 1937, but because so far there was no engine designed for this tank, which was being developed in Škoda Mladá Boleslav, received a prototype engine designed for Škoda Š-III-6. The machine received only a model of the armament, command tower and observation windows. Prototype tests with this engine turned out to be disastrous. Several technical shortcomings of the design and the engine were revealed. In September 1937, a prototype engine developed for this tank was finally mounted in the prototype (it had the same designation as the tank - Š-IIc). Unfortunately, the engine crashed during the tests. It was decided to make several adjustments. These took place throughout the winter of 1937/38.
2. phase Several modifications were made to the hull, tower and chassis, the engine was repaired, and armament was installed. He was sent for further tests on May 2, 1938. Unfortunately, even now the tank was not reliable and there were several operational problems. Later, while demonstrating the machine to the Soviet military commission, the engine stopped again. The machine was to take part in another tender for a new medium tank, but as it had persistent technical problems, it could not be sent for testing. Therefore, the Škoda T-21 project was excluded from the tender.
3. phase Despite the exclusion from the tender, the company underwent repairs and modifications to the machine until the end of 1938. A second prototype of the Š-IIc engine was produced, which replaced the previous first prototype. These modifications completed the T-21 project and its final form was created. In the Pomníchov atmosphere, there was a decline in the development of new tanks. The military commission proposed to Škoda the conditions under which they would be willing to recognize this tank as a type that underwent military tests and complied with. This would open the way for possible orders of the Czechoslovak army, resp. would be in a favorable position to offer the tank to foreign clients after recognition by the military. After the occupation, the machine, which bore the original designation Š-IIc, was renamed the T-21. The German interest in this machine was not very great. Originally, they wanted to test it on their own polygon in Kummersdorf, but this plan fell through. However, the Germans ordered an improved version of this machine without a tower and armament. Two alternatives have been put forward. The first was a modified T-21, the second was a new type T-22. The T-21 tank was also offered to other interested parties. Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Iraq, Iran, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Greece, the USSR and the United Kingdom have received information on this type. In Romania, comparative tests were performed with a competing type of company ČKD Praga V-8-H and it seemed that the Romanians opt for the T-21, but hesitated to order. After being informed that licensed production of the T-21 tank is being prepared in Hungary, the Romanians had preliminarily ordered 216 T-21 tanks. However, the German authorities did not allow the supply of tanks because the factory's capacity was focused on supplying the German army with armaments. Hungary also wanted to order direct deliveries of finished machines, but after the German ban, they decided to buy a license and own production. The prototype was tested in Hungary in the middle of 1940 (from 10.6. - 10.7.1940) at the polygon in Hajmáskéri. During the tests, the front plate of the tower in which the Hungarian 40mm cannon 37.M was mounted was replaced on the prototype, the machine guns were exchanged for Gebauer caliber 8 mm and a Hungarian radio station R-4 was installed.After Hungarian comments and planned modifications, the T-21 tank was manufactured under license and was known in the Hungarian army as Turán. The licensed machine was further developed in Hungarian conditions. Another person interested in the T-21 was Italy. They showed great interest in this type and planned either direct deliveries or licensed production. But only after testing in Italy in their climatic conditions. The tests took place in mid-1941 and were successful, with the exception of the detection of insufficient engine cooling. Nevertheless, the Italians wanted to continue the negotiations. However, the Germans did not even give a license for licensed production, and the Italian side suspended the negotiations.
Ivo Pejčoch, Oldřich Pejs - Obrněná technika 6, Central Europe 1919-1945 Part I, ARES Publishing House, Prague 2005, ISBN 80-86158-46-2 Vladimir Francev, Charles K. Kliment - Czechoslovak armored vehicles 1918-1948, publisher ARES, II. edition, Prague 2004, ISBN 80-86158-40-3
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Skoda-S-IIc-Skoda-T-21-t104919#375910
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Reklama
T-21 during tests in Hungary, Polygon in Hajmaskari, summer 1940.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Skoda-S-IIc-Skoda-T-21-t104919#606802
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Reklama
Diskuse
Gentlemen, photos with caption: Note the altered turret faceplate with a mock-up of a Hungarian 40mm calibre gun, belonging to T-21/40 tank prototype.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Skoda-S-IIc-Skoda-T-21-t104919#454063
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