VTP-2 Escarabajo - The Chilean armoured personnel carrier

Chilean_Thunder · July 22, 2023, 2:12am

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VTP-2 Escarabajo

History:

Cardoen Industries was a Chilean defense company owned by Carlos Cardoen, founded in 1978. The company was primarily known for the design and manufacture of general-purpose and cluster bombs, which were best-sellers in Chile and abroad. Cardoen also designed and manufactured armored vehicles carrying a variety of weapons. One of those vehicles was the VTP-2 Escarabajo (Beetle), intended for troop transport, although it could also be armed with a variety of weapons. In this suggestion, we will address the version with a 20mm automatic anti-aircraft gun.

The first prototype of the VTP-2 (Vehículo Transporte Personal) was completed between 1981 and 1982 and the vehicle was entirely designed and produced in Chile by Industrias Cardoen. It was a vehicle intended for troop transport, although it could also fulfill a variety of other roles such as base protection, being equipped with anti-aircraft weaponry, mainly 20mm automatic cannons. It features armor plating up to 8 mm thick, protecting it from machine gun fire up to 7.62 mm and explosive shrapnel, making it vulnerable to larger calibers, as is common with this type of wheeled vehicle. Its tires are 12.5x20 bulletproof.

It can transport up to 12 fully equipped men, making it spacious. It is characterized by its great mobility and all-terrain capability, reaching a top speed of 100 km/h. The standard version has a Daimler Benz DB-OM 352 inline 6-cylinder engine producing 120 HP at 2800 rpm with 8 forward and 4 reverse gears, although it could alternatively be equipped with a better turbocharged Detroit Diesel 453 engine producing 170 HP at 2800 rpm with an Allison MT-653 automatic transmission.

VTP-2 Escarabajo deploying troops

The only armed version of the VTP-2 was equipped with the Oerlikon GAD-AOA turret. The new turret is operated by a single person, this being the commander, it has 100 rounds ready to use and has a maximum elevation of 70° which makes it ideal for its function as anti-aircraft, the total depression of the gun is -12°. It has a scope with magnification up to 6.5x and a scope for aerial targets. Although the armor of the turret is not mentioned, it can be deduced that it would be the standard for this type of turret, being 8 mm, so it would also protect the gunner from minor weapons of up to 7.62 mm or explosive splinters.

Turret specifications and features

Regarding armament, the turret uses the 20 mm Oerlikon KAA cannon that was formerly known as Oerlikon 204 GK. The cannon was used more than anything as anti-aircraft as it has a high rate of fire, being 1000 rounds per minute and has various types of ammunition, highlighting the armor-piercing one capable of penetrating up to 57 mm of armor at short distances, so under certain circumstances the vehicle can be used to confront other vehicles as little armor, although this is not recommended.

Specifications and characteristics of the cannon

The vehicle was presented at various military exhibitions seeking to generate interest in foreign countries, although no foreign purchases are known. It was in service with the Chilean Army and presumably also with the Air Force for anti-aircraft defense during the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, and was used to repress protests and acts of violence in the streets, as can be seen in the following photo.

VTP-2 Escarabajo during street protests in Chile

VTP-2 Escarabajo being displayed during a military fair possibly in Chile, it is seen carrying a 12.7 mm machine gun

Specifications:

Crew:
- 2 (Commander, Driver)
Armament:
- Primary: GAD-AOA turret with 20 mm Oerlikon KAA cannon
Dimensions:
- Length: 5.27 m
- Width: 2.3 m
- Height: 2.18 m (without turret)
- Weight: 6 t empty, 7.6 t full load + 1055 kg (turret and gun)
Maneuverability :
- Engine: Daimler Benz DB-OM 352 engine with 120 HP at 2800 rpm or Detroit Diesel 453 engine with 170 HP at 2800 rpm
- Max. speed on roads: 100 km/h
- Gradient: 70%
- Side slope: 30%