| Tarasnice | |
|---|---|
| Type | Recoilless antitank weapon |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Czechoslovakia |
| Wars | Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1950's |
| Manufacturer | Škoda |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 20 kg (44 lb) |
| Length | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Crew | 2 |
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| Cartridge | High explosive antitank |
| Rate of fire | 5 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 267 m/s |
| Maximum range | 457 m (0.284 mi) (direct fire) |
The Škoda Tarasnice or Type T-21 is a Czechoslovakian 82 mm smoothbore recoilless gun firing shaped-charge fin-stabilised projectiles, which is breech-loaded, and fired electrically. It was designed to destroy armored targets, enemy fortifications and shelters.
It comes with a very light carriage, equipped with two light, easily removable wheels and a tow yoke at the muzzle for towing by the crew. Transport on vehicles is possible. In addition the weapon can be mounted on the transport vehicle. The Tarasnice can be found on some variants of the OT-62 in use as a light cannon.
Two men are needed for operation. One carries the weapon, the other carries the ammunition. The weapon is fired from the prone position. Since the weapon weighs relatively little, it can also be shoulder-fired.
The Tarasnice has a 1.2 meter long barrel and fires a 2.13 kilogram HEAT projectile with a muzzle velocity of 267 meters per second to an effective range of 457 meters. The rate of fire was about 5 rounds per minute, but this was hindered by the absence of a used round extractor in the breech, so that the spent cartridges had to be cleared manually with the aid of an asbestos glove.
The most effective direct-fire is 300 meters while the maximum indirect-fire range is 2800 meters. Moving armoured targets can be successfully engaged at ranges up to 300 meters, and stationary targets out to 600 meters. The HEAT projectile is capable of penetrating 228 mm of armour.
The ammunition is loaded from the rear and consist of a projectile and propellant. To fire the Tarasnice, a pistol grip with the departure mechanism was attached briefly approximately in the center of the barrel and fired electrically as the trigger action activated a magneto.
The sighting equipment consists of a mechanical sight and an optical telescope. The mechanical sight can be used for 100 meter to 300 meter range with intervals of 50 meters. The optical telescope can be used from 100 to 600 meters range with 100 meter intervals.
The optical telescope is folded to the side when the weapon is transported.
Besides use in the Czechoslovak forces, the Tarasnice was used by communist forces in the Vietnam War as well as by the East German Army[1] and the Albanian Army.[2]
| External images | |
|---|---|
| Czech T-21 Tarasnice | |
| Tarasnice Recoilless | |
| Tarasnice in action | |
| Tarasnice in action | |
| Tarasnice mounted on OT-62B | |
| Caliber: 82 mm. |
| Length: 1475 mm. |
| Weight w/o wheels): 17.2 kg. |
| Weight of the machine (with wheels): 20 kg. |
| projectile Length: 628 mm. |
| projectile Caliber: 82 mm. |
| projectile weight: 1.95 kg. |
| The initial flight speed of projectile:250 m / s. |
| Rate of fire: 5 / min. |
| Maximum Direct Range: 600 meters. |
