Czech Defence Ministry To Buy Rare Vintage Tank in Peru

Ales Knizek, the head of the Czech Military Institute in Prague told CZK that the Czech Defence Ministry intends to buy for the Institute museum’s collection a rare LTP 38 tank made in Chechia in the end of the 1930s.

The Institute has already reached an agreement with peruvian town of Mollendo on delivering the panzer machine to the Czech Republic. The municipality of the above mentioned peruvian town plans to spend USD 50,000 received for the tank on building new public library. Currently the Czech government is in process of discussion or transferring money to Mollendo according the Defence Ministry’s agreement.

Mister Knizek pointed out that at the moment no exemplar of this Czech made tank is existent in the country. This battle machine belongs to the stock made in Prague specially for Peru where these tanks were delivered during 1938-1939. The engine and the drivetrain of this model were custom built for operating in Latin American sierra.

Also it should be mentioned that Turkey promised to give as a gift this year an unique Czech made cannon to the Czech Republic.

Note: LTP 38 light tank (Panzer 38(t) according the German classification – not to be confused with T-38 Soviet light tank) was used by Wehrmacht since 1939 until 1944. It was also operated by armies of such ally states as Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and Sweden. The battle was produced in Czechia starting from 1939 until 1942.

Its weight was 9.725 – 9.85 tons depending on modification. Overall measures were 4.61 m in length, 2.135 m width and 2.252 in height. Crew totalled 4 members. The tank was rear engined, the powertrain was linked with drivetrain via five-speed transmission.