OT-64 SKOT Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), Poland

This abandoned OT-64 SKOT is an Armoured Personal Carrier (APC), manufactured during the Cold War in the Eastern Bloc. Interestingly, this old military vehicle lies hidden in a quite unusual location, an old barn!

I encountered this abandoned vehicle during my 2023 Poland Road Trip.

OT-64 SKOT – A Cold War-era armoured transporter, developed in the Eastern Bloc

The OT-64 SKOT is an Armoured Personal Carrier (APC) manufactured during the Cold War in the Eastern Bloc. Development commenced in 1959, a joint project by the Polish People’s Republic (PRL) and Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (ČSSR). Production followed in 1963 and continued until 1971. Approximately 4,500 units were produced, and around a third of which were exported. Components of the propulsion system, transmissions, engine, and chassis were Czech-made. The armoured hulls and turrets, suspension system, and on-board armaments were manufactured in Poland. Polish workers assembled the final components in a plant in Lublin.

Interestingly, the vehicle has a fitting acronym in both Czech (Střední Kolový Obrněný Transportér) as well as Polish (Średni Kołowy Opancerzony Transporter).

In 2002, modernisation of the design took place. The newly designed KTO Ryś (KTO for Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony, or Wheeled Armoured Vehicle Lynx) was brought into service, replacing the older model. Interestingly, this successor was developed from the chassis and drive train of the OT-64 SKOT.

OT-64 SKOT 8×8 Armoured Personnel Carrier Specifications

• Weight: 14.5 t
• Length: 7.44 m, Width 2.55 m, Height 2.71 m
• Crew: 2 + 10 (with turret), 2 + 18 (without turret)
• Armour: 6-13 mm
• Main Armament: 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and 14.5 mm KPV machine gun.
• Engine: Air-cooled Tatra T-928-14 V-8 diesel 177 hp
• Gearbox: Praga-Wilson 5 speed
• Power/weight: 12.4 hp/tonne
• Suspension: 8×8 or 8×4
• Operational Range: 710 km
• Speed: 94 km/h (in water, 9 km/h)

From Battlefield to Waterways: The Amphibious Wonder

Built to carry troops and equipment across the toughest terrains with its rugged 8×8 wheel drive, OT-64 has one other interesting feature. It is amphibious: able to transport troops on both land and water, it actually floats in the water. To make it more stable in water, the Tatra diesel air-cooled engine is located in the middle. There are two propellers at the rear with rudders and can go about 9 km/h in the water. Although not seaworthy, the OT-64 SKOT could swiftly cross large lakes or rivers with ease. In a time before drone strikes and high-tech navigation systems, that kind of capability was a game-changer.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing. During early training exercises, there are three reporting fatal indents on record. Nine Czech solider deaths are reported; in all cases, loss of life was due to drowning while crossing bodies.

Syrena – The Warsaw Mermaid

On the front and back of the vehicle there is a stencilled insignia: a mermaid brandishing a sword and shield. The symbol is the Syrena, or the Maid of Warsaw, the coat of arms of Warsaw, also used by the 2nd Polish Corps as their symbol.