Tatra 111

The Tatra 111 was a heavy truck produced by Czechoslovakia's Tatra company during World War II for the Wehrmacht, with production spanning from 1942 until 1962. Initially designed for military use, it played a significant role in postwar reconstruction across Eastern Europe and the USSR. However, its chief designer, Hans Ledwinka, faced charges of treason after the communist takeover, leading to his imprisonment. Technologically advanced, the Tatra 111 featured a backbone tube chassis with swing half-axles, offering high torsional strength and offroad capabilities. Its engine, a V12 air-cooled model V910, initially produced 210 horsepower but was later reduced to 180 hp for reliability. The design included a modular gearbox, differential assemblies, and an optional cranking handle for starting the engine. The chassis featured quarter elliptic leaf springs at the front and half elliptic longitudinal leaf springs at the rear, with all-around air disc brakes and a mechanical parking brake. The transmission system offered 6x6 selectable front-wheel drive, a main gearbox with synchronized gears, and an auxiliary two-speed gearbox for varying conditions. Originally constructed with wood due to wartime material shortages, later models featured steel-plated or all-steel cabins. The truck had a top speed of 65 km/h, a maximum cargo capacity of 10.3 tonnes, and could tow up to 22 tonnes. Produced for 20 years, approximately 34,000 units were built, with its engine adapted for various other vehicles, including tractors and military trucks. The Tatra 111's reliability and durability earned it a legendary status, particularly in harsh conditions like Siberia, influencing ...