The OT-64

[Silent Hunter UK]

I'm currently writing an article on this APC for Phoenix Roleplaying's newsletter and am looking for some interesting titbits for it.

Also, a broad summary of its strengths and weaknesses would really help.

Thanks in advance.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

I had the opportunity some years ago to see a few examples in the flesh and it "feels" large, like a truck feels large if that makes any sense.
The dimensions for height, length, width don't really convey the feeling of how big it is. It's approx the same width and height as the FV432 or M113 but the extra 2 metres of length makes it feel like you're standing next to something much bigger than either of those two APCs. I get the same impression when standing next to the LAV-25 vehicles compared to the FV432 and M113 and the LAV is still a metre shorter than the OT-64!

The OT-64 also has a minimal number of things to use as hand/foot holds for climbing onto the roof compared to the above mentioned vehicles. I get the impression that you're supposed to enter through the doors and then use the roof hatches to get onto the roof.
Oh and don't forget that it has metal flaps to cover the headlights, some images don't show that very well and it's not particularly obvious that the headlights can be covered to protect them when "bush bashing".

The engine compartment is located in the centre of the vehicle and completely blocks the front (crew) compartment from the troop compartment in the rear. Depending on the variant, the roof hatch arrangement on the troop compartment can vary quite a bit.

Some good to average info sources can be found online but I've noticed there's often some discrepancy regards crew numbers, some list two while others list three. I'd say that's maybe due to the fact that Czech OT-64s typically had just a pintle mount and no turret and therefore didn't need the third crewie. However it could also be because the third crew member is listed as the gunner and the gun location places him in the troop compartment completely separate to the other two crew and some countries decided that for some vehicles, the gun position would be manned by one of the troops rather than a dedicated crew member. I don't know if this is the case for the various operators of the OT-64 but could be the reason for the number discrepancy.

These are some of the better info sources I've found: -

http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product1067.html

http://tanknutdave.com/the-polish-czechoslovakian-ot-64-wheeled-apc-series/

http://www.military-today.com/apc/ot_64_skot.htm

[pmulcahy11b]

All I can really say is...it on my site...and I've never seen an OT-64 on the flesh, but I've been on a ride in one of it's relatives, the BTR-60. Cramped, you're better to stand up in a hatch (because the armor is crap anyway), the dual engines are loud, put fumes into the troop compartment, and have a balky transmission (and the driver has his hands full keeping two engines working in concert. Vibrations aplenty.

It was a thrill, riding around in enemy armor, but I would NOT want to be assigned to one.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

That's one area where the OT-64 does have it better, the troop compartment is taller compared to just about every Soviet designed APC/IFV ever hahaha!

But Paul, I am a little envious of you getting to ride around in the BTR-60. I only ever saw them in military museums so they were all locked up and immobile

But speaking of the BTR series, the reason the OT-64 has such large rear doors is the designers disagreed with the idea of having the troops jump over the sides of the vehicle to exit it (like in the earlier, open-top BTR-60). They believed that the safest way for troops to debus near the enemy was out the back with the vehicle providing some cover and even some concealment.
And the OT-64 used a diesel engine because again, the designers didn't like the idea of a petrol engine and all that very flammable fuel.

I had a quick look around the net for photos of the interior and found the following two pages that have a photo each of the troop compartment: -

http://www.warwheels.net/OT64cApcTROWBRIDGE.html

http://www.warwheels.net/OT64R4commandNicholson.html

But then I found this Czech forum page on the vehicle,

http://forum.valka.cz/topic/view/12597/CZK-POL-OT-64-SKOT

and it had probably the best photo to convey the troop compartment dimensions. This photo (Kenyan UN troops with G3 series rifles): -

[Silent Hunter UK]

Thanks for the insights. I'm actually working on a number of Cold War themed articles for the newsletter (in connection with my spy sim Covert-81), including an article I've almost finished on the RT-21M/SS-20.

[Legbreaker]

These were taken a few years ago when I visited the armour museum at Pukapunyal in Victoria, Australia. I was more interested in the BMP they've got there at the time, but did take a couple of snaps of their OT-64.
The OT-62 they've got is absolutely HUGE! Feels like it's about 3 metres tall, if not more and twice as wide as your average mack truck!

[pmulcahy11b]

But Paul, I am a little envious of you getting to ride around in the BTR-60. I only ever saw them in military museums so they were all locked up and immobile

A case of AHIP (Assignment Has Its Privileges)