- Yes
- No
Praga V3S, locally nicknamed as “Vejtřeska”, is domestically produced Czechoslovak military truck designed by Praga. Development of this truck began in early 50s when Czechoslovak Ministry of Defence tasked Praga with designing replacement for Soviet ZiS-151. During trials in 1952, Praga V3S was put up against ZiS-151, Studenbaker US6 and Tatra 128. This competition showed how capable the V3S was incomparison to other trucks in use by Czechoslovakia at that time. It was chosen for production and first models came off the line in 1953. These trucks are still in use to this day by Czech Army.
The rocket launcher development in Czechoslovakia started even before the end of second world war. Czech company Škoda was developing rocket launcher systems for Germany during this time. After the end of second world war this knownledge was used to develop rocket launcher systems for Czechoslovakia alongside VTÚ (Vojenský Technický Ústav) and ZB (Zbrojovka Brno). Czechoslovak Ministry of Defence shown a big interest in rocket launcher systems in late 40s, where first prototypes for Czechoslovak rocket launchers were produced, many calibers were tested, alongside these was for example RK-3 developed by Škoda.
First official prototype for 130 mm RM vz.51 was built in 1950. OT-810 was considered to mount the prototype but it was rejected, rather the prototype was mounted to US6 Studenbaker, the performance was shown to be great enough. Later the Czechoslovak MoD made a decision to fit this MLRS system to Praga V3S, the production starting around the early 50s alongside Praga V3S trucks. Praga V3S 130mm RM vz.51 was first shown to public in 1956 parade.
Seemingly in early production of RM-51s, it was decided to mount some MLRS systems atop of Studenbakers US6, probably due to the shortage of Praga V3S trucks.
Studenbaker US6 130 mm RM vz.51
Armament
- 130mm raketomet vzor 51
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-0° degrees of depresion, +50° degrees of elevation (+12° over the cabin)
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Horizontal guidance of 240° degrees
Munition
- 130mm JRROF (HE-FRAG)
- Velocity: 410 m/s
- Weight: 24,2 kg
- 130mm JRRO (HE)
- Velocity: 410 m/s
- Weight: 24,2 kg
- 130mm JRROF (HE-FRAG)
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Ammunition count: 62
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Crew
- Driver
- Gunner
- Commander
- Loader
- Loader
Mobility
- Engine: 98 hp Tatra T-912
- Transmission: 4+1 Manual
- Top speed of 60 km/h
- Weight: 8 500 kg
Armour
- This vehicle lacks any armor
Dimensions
- Lenght: 6910mm
- Height: 2800mm
- Width: 2320mm
Sources
RM 51 - CSLA.CZ
13O JRRO
vz.51 - valka.cz
ebadatelna.sk - JRRO
Od bodáku po tryskáče : nedokončené československé zbrojní projekty : 1945-1955. - Martin Dubánek
