CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank)

MT 34 bridge tank


The development of the MT 34 was started in 1953 by ČKD Praha Sokolovo based on a request from the Command of the Engineer Troops of the Ministry of National Defence of the Czechoslovakia.
In the course of development, the future manufacturer, the then Závody J. V. Stalin, n. p. Martin, which produced 5 repetitive prototypes in 1958 and in 1959 processed the design documentation for repeated production. A verification series was produced in 1961 and serial production took place between 1962 and 1963. Deliveries were made only to the CSLA.

The MT 34 bridge tank was a special armoured vehicle constructed on the basis of the T 34 tank chassis, from which the complete engine-transmission unit and chassis groups (running wheels, suspension, tensioning and traction gear tracks and track belts) were used. The vehicle had a modified hull with armour 15 to 45 mm thick. The MT 34 was designed to rapidly bridge water, terrain and other obstacles and roadblocks at points of contact with enemy fire.


Main technical parameters of MT 34:


Weight : 37 400 kg
crew : 3 men
max. speed : 45 km/h
specific power : 9,84 kW/t
range without additional barrels : 200 km
bridge capacity : 50 t
max. width of obstacle to be bridged : 15 m
time required to lay the bridge : 3-5 min.
time required to load the bridge : 10-20 min.
length of the bridge : 17 m
bridge width : 3,1 m
bridge weight : 7600 kg
laying mechanism : mechanical, cable winch


source : MOT 8/2000
URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-MT-34-mostni-tank-t13287#47348 Version : 0
After the changes in the army leadership and the transition to the new, Soviet, concept and tactics, in May 1952, the enterprise ČKD Sokolovo received a request for the development of a bridge tank.
The army's request was: The vehicle must bridge an obstacle 16 metres wide, the bridge will be carried on the hull of a T-34 tank and the bridge span will be laid by the crew without having to leave the vehicle. The inspiration was undoubtedly the two Valentine bridge tanks brought from England by the Armoured Brigade. These had been retired from the Army in 1946 due to wear and tear and the Army was understandably looking for a replacement.
In 1953, a 17 m long scissor bridge deck was installed on the underside of the T-34-85 tank. This working example had a three-man crew that could lay the bridge deck, capable of bridging a 16 m wide obstacle, from inside the vehicle. After the completion of the first phase of 'military trials', it was recommended that, despite the shortcomings and observations found, the chosen concept should be continued and improved. The biggest deficiency, found during later tests, was the 6 t overload of the chassis, this deficiency was never eliminated and became noticeable after the start of serial production in Red Martin, as well as after the MT-34 was introduced into tank formations, when due to its higher weight it could not keep up with the pace of the T-34-85 battle tanks. Difficulties with development and the constant postponement of production of the verification series at the ČKD plant led to the decision to transfer the entire project to the new plant in Martina. Serial production was to start in 1958, but the local management was in no hurry, and so verification production did not begin until 1961. Another modified prototype and five pre-series machines were produced in ZTS Martin, but the actual production started only after that, from 1961 to 1963, 126 machines were produced in ZTS Martin (including the prototypes produced here). By this time, however, it was clear that the principle, while viable, had to be moved to a new, more powerful chassis, which became the T-54 tank's machine underbody, and the new kit received the designation MT-54 Moták. However, that is another story, it belongs elsewhere and begins in 1962.
One more thing to mention is the bogies for carrying the reserve bridgeplates. These were designed in 1958 and received the designation PM-34. They consisted of two connected identical single-axle trailers on which the spare bridge deck was stowed. After successful military trials, the sleepers were accepted into service in 1960. Trailer tractors were generally used as towing vehicles TATRA T-141B. This towing vehicle, together with the design of the bogie, allowed movement even in difficult terrain.


Technical description:
The hull, essentially identical to the T-34-85, is adapted for carrying the bridge deck, laying it down and then loading it back onto the vehicle.
The powerplant was a standard V-2-34 water-cooled twelve-cylinder diesel engine, later upgraded to the V-2-34M.
The volume of fuel carried was 725 litres of which 545 litres in the internal tanks and 180 litres in the two external tanks on the sides of the engine compartment.
At the front of the hull there is a support structure supporting the bridge deck, arranged in such a way that the bridge deck is first erected over it to the vertical position, the outer half is raised to the horizontal position and then the bridge deck, while being unfolded, starts to be trimmed. There is also a support spur to prevent the front of the tank from digging in during laying. At the rear of the hull, above the bulkhead between the engine and gearbox, a rear support structure is fixed. The original fighting space is used for the installation of the winch and the commander's "box" with an entrance hatch in the ceiling from which the actual bridge deck laying is controlled. In the front part of this box there are also the pulleys of the laying system. Inside the hull, the engine bulkhead reinforcements, a ribbed sheet metal floor with hinged lids for adjusting the steering rods in place of the ammunition "jacks" and a new VKU-27 collector mount were added.
The production MT-34 also had a three-man crew, which again could lay the bridge deck, from inside the vehicle. For communication it used the R-113 radio and the R-112 tank-caller.
The construction of the bridge deck was two-piece, scissor-type with mechanisms to allow laying and reloading onto the chassis. The bridge deck consists of two identical, horizontally symmetrical and pivotally connected parts with variable height stands. The stand is the highest at the point of unfolding of the scissor structure, which is made up of two identical running belts again, composed of two stands fitted with circular relief holes of variable diameter, according to the height of the stand, and a grated track bridge deck. The two scissor structures connected by crossbars thus form the actual bridge deck of the MT-34 tank. The mechanism of laying and lifting the bridge deck is mechanical, cable-operated with a winch driven from the engine via an additional gearbox reducing the engine speed in the ratio 1:354.
The tank was armed with a DTM machine gun of 7.62 mm calibre, mounted in the same location as the standard tank, and crew-served personal weapons.


Dimensions+TTD:
Overall length: 9 990 mm
Width: 3 100 mm
Overall height: 3 700 mm
Ground clearance: 350 mm
Combat weight: 37 400 kg
Engine power: 500ks/373 kW
Maximum road speed: 45 km/h
Maximum off-road speed: 15-18 km/h
Road fuel consumption: 160 l/100 km
Off-road fuel consumption: 230 l/100 km
Road range: 340 km
Off-road range: 230 km
Bridge deck load capacity: 50 t
Bridge deck weight: 7.6 - 8.9 t
Bridge deck width: 3 100 mm
Track width: 1 050 mm
Length of bridge deck laid: 17 000 mm
Folded bridge deck length: 9 900 mm
Bridge length: 16 000 mm
Laying time: overall - 3 to 5 min., actual laying - 2 min.
Loading time: total - 10 to 20 min., self-loading - 5 min.
Laying range in the ground: transverse slope ± 4 0, longitudinal slope ± 12 0
Installation range in deep ford: requires level ground
Bridge laying cycle control and operation: manual and mechanical
Gradient: 25°
Side slope: 12°
Trench: 2 300 mm
Perpendicular wall: 700 mm
Ford: 1 100 mm


A total of 65 MT-34 bridge tanks were reportedly operated within the CSLA, along with roughly double the number of bridge tanks, PM-34 sleepers and their tractors TATRA T-141B, for their transport. Their retirement occurred during the first half of the 1970s. Where the 61 remaining MT-34s ended up is unknown to me, but it can be assumed that they served as the basis for subsequent rebuilds by the CSLA's own forces, as some sources report the acceptance of all 126 units into the CSLA's armament.


P.S. Does anybody have any other photos or drawings from tests or operation with CSLA units ?! For example, a bridge laid, a tank without a bridge, etc.
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - Přepravník mostovky

Přepravník mostovky
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - Rozvírání mostovky

Rozvírání mostovky
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - Vztyčování mostovky

Vztyčování mostovky
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - MT-34 v pochodové poloze

MT-34 v pochodové poloze
URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-MT-34-mostni-tank-t13287#97344 Version : 0
...
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - (ATOM)

(ATOM)
URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-MT-34-mostni-tank-t13287#62408 Version : 0
...
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - (Vojenská technika)

(Vojenská technika)
URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-MT-34-mostni-tank-t13287#140667 Version : 0
...
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - (Bojová příprava)

(Bojová příprava)
URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-MT-34-mostni-tank-t13287#232491 Version : 0

This post has not been translated to English yet. Please use the TRANSLATE button above to see machine translation of this post.

Vojenská prehliadka - Praha 9.máj 1960.


Zdroj : Vojenská technika 1960 č.6
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - MT-34 pochodová poloha.

MT-34 pochodová poloha.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-MT-34-mostni-tank-t13287#300152 Version : 0
Source : Dopr-51-5 Overview of military equipment and its stowage on railway carriages - ČSĽA regulation - Prague 1968
CZK - MT-34 (mostní tank) - MT-34 bez mostu.

MT-34 bez mostu.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-MT-34-mostni-tank-t13287#348908 Version : 0
Discussion post Fact post
Attachments


Join us

We believe that there are people with different interests and experiences who could contribute their knowledge and ideas. If you love military history and have experience in historical research, writing articles, editing text, moderating, creating images, graphics or videos, or simply have a desire to contribute to our unique system, you can join us and help us create content that will be interesting and beneficial to other readers.

Find out more