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The Škoda Š-III was a Czechoslovak prototype medium tank developed during the 1930s as part of the army’s effort to create a medium tank capable of breaking through fortified defensive lines and engaging enemy armor and infantry. Its origins can be traced back to the earlier KSÚ (Kombinovaný střední útočný vůz) project that combined wheeled and tracked device which begun in 1931. However, the complexity of the convertible running gear led Škoda to abandon the concept in favor of conventional tracked chassis, while keeping much of the previous development work. Meanwhile the development of KSÚ project was happening, Škoda was threatened by the Gerenal staff at Czechoslovak Ministry of National Defense, incase Škoda did not accept secrecy conditions that were put forward for the wheeled-tracked chassis. Škoda had to accept.
In June 1934, the Czechoslovak Ministry of National Defence ordered two fully tracked prototypes under the designation Š-III. The tanks were equipped with a newly developed 47 mm Škoda cannon, two machine guns, and a four-man crew. The first prototype known as the Š-III-6 underwent factory trials in late 1936. The second prototype Š-III-8 followed in 1937 with a more powerful eight-cylinder engine.
Despite continued development, the Š-III never entered serial production. Following the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, the prototypes were taken over for further testing by the Wehrmacht. Records show that at least one vehicle remained in use for evaluation until 1942, after which the fate of both prototypes is unknown.
Škoda S.K.U. design
Armament
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4,7cm Škoda A9a (a - modified to fire munition from 4cm vz.36 fortification cannon)
- -10° degrees of depresion, +25° degrees of elevation
- 360° of turret rotation
- Munition
- Note that Czech 4,7cm rounds were designated with 4cm
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4cm Ostrý Pancéřový Granát vz. 36 - APC (HE)
- 15 g of TNT filler
- Velocity: 1080 m/s
- Shell weight: 1,65 kg
- Penetration at 100m at 30° RHA - 52-54mm
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4cm Ostrý Nárazový Granát vz. 36 - HE
- 176 g of TNT
- Velocity: 600 m/s
- Shell weight: 1,5 kg
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4cm kartáčový granát vz. 36 - Grape shot
- Round never entered full production and was developed for 4.7 cm KPÚV vz. 38.
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Ammunition count: 80 rounds
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Note that German ammunition is missing on purpose.
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2x 7,92mm ZB vz.35
- 4000 rounds of munition
Mobility
- Engine: 186 hp 6-cylinder Škoda prototype engine
- Transmission: 6+6
- Top speed of 25 - 27,5 kph
- Weight: 18,6 tons
Armour
- Hull
- Front - 32mm
- Side - 32mm
- Back - 16-32mm
- Bottom - 10mm
- Turret
- Front - 32mm
- Side - 32mm
- Back - 32mm
- Roof - 10mm
Dimensions
- Lenght: 5830 mm
- Height: 2480 mm
- Width: 2535 mm
Pictures
Sources
Munice pro 4cm kanon vzor 36 Škoda
4cm O. P. Gr.vz.36
4 cm O. N. Gr. vz. 36
Wikipedia - 4.7 cm KPÚV vz. 38
Československá Obrněná Vozidla 1918-1948 - Vladimír Francev - Charles Ch. Klement
Válka.cz - Škoda Š-III
Válka.cz - 4 cm pevnostní kanon vz. 36
Válka.cz Škoda Š-III-6
Armáda 21 Kopřivnické tanky - Neznámá kapitola z historie automobilky Tatra - JakabPublishing