The Skoda PA-II model is here

In October 1918, shortly before the end of the First World War, Czechoslovakia declared its independence. At the end of hostilities, its only armored vehicles were two armored vehicles purchased from Italy (a Lancia 1Z and a Bianchi quickly replaced by another Lancia 1Z). These vehicles were attached to the Czechoslovak Legion in Italy, raised from Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war. Of course, one of the first concerns of the new state was its defense. After a quick inventory of its industrial possibilities (not insignificant with the Skoda factories (in Pilsen) and CKD among others), the government decided to develop an armored vehicle as quickly as possible. The first test was carried out on the basis of the Fiat 18 BL truck and gave birth to the Skoda-Fiat “Torino” produced in 12 units and put into service in 1920. But this vehicle, produced in a hurry, was not free from defects ( speed 15 km/h among others) and the high-quality Czech engineers went back to work to build a new machine, this time better well thought. A first prototype on a Praga L truck chassis was made and taken into account by the army without official production under the name Praga L. Then, on the basis of an original chassis, it was the Skoda PA I, so well thought that it incorporated never before seen features such as the two driving positions which made it possible to drive in one direction or the other indifferently and at the same speed (the vehicle was not 4X4 but the « rear » axle was blocked and became a driving force while the “front” axle was unlocked and became steering without being a driving force), this also gave a particularly symmetrical profile where it was difficult to know where the front and rear were. This experimental armored car was only produced in two copies in 1923 because it was designed rather as a test vehicle in order to validate several innovative solutions and lead to the construction of the more elaborate series model: the Skoda PA II.

Officially designated « Obrneny Automobil Model 1923″ or OA vz.23, the new vehicle entered service at the end of 1924 beginning of 1925 and kept the chassis of the PA I but with a new engine and presented a rather unique rounded profile which quickly earned it the nickname of  » tortoise « . The idea was to improve resistance to projectiles but the work to be done was complicated because it was done with a hammer, a real artisanal work identical to that provided by the workers who at the time manufactured luxury cars for wealthy people, tradition which already existed at Skoda since the armor manufacturers of the Middle Ages. The worked plates were then riveted onto a frame. The symmetrical design was also preserved. The new armored car was evaluated by the Czech army in 1925 and taken into account (for lack of a better term) without being officially accepted for several reasons, notably too low ground clearance, off-road driving impossible, a passenger compartment that was too narrow for five men, and a too heavy weight which penalized agility. The 12 vehicles received a NIX58 – NIX69 license plates and a numbering 18 – 30 on the sides in red bordered in white. The camouflage of the Skoda PA I was taken again but instead of being diamond-shaped it was applied in rounded spots with a black-brown border, note that as the paint was not renewed, it quickly deteriorated over the years. In 1927, it was the more elaborate Skoda PA III (OA vz.27) which was officially chosen.
After it entered service in 1927, Skoda was authorized to sell three examples to the Austrian police in Vienna (in compensation for undelivered OA vz.27s) who saw combat in 1934 during the Nazi coup d’état. The nine remaining Czech examples received a new identification plate 13267 – 13275 at the end of 1932.
In 1930, the Czechoslovak army handed over the nine remaining copies to the Czech police. Note that two examples were not armored for driving school purposes.
The examples still in condition in 1939 were seized during the German invasion and some transformed into radio vehicles.
Note that a prototype armed with a Skoda 75 mm L/28 cannon and called « delovy » (cannon) was created in 1927 but without follow-up.

Dimensions: L:6m / W:2.17m / H:2.44m
5m
weight: 7.36 t
Shielding: 3 to 5.5 mm
Armament: 4 X 7.92 Schwarzlose MG-08 (6250 rounds)
crew: 5 men (two drivers, two gunners, one captain)
engine: 4 cyl Skoda – 70 HP
speed: 70 km/h
Range: 250 km