Tatra 111

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Tatra 111
Overview
Manufacturer	Tatra
Production	1942-1962
Designer	Hans Ledwinka
Body and chassis
Class	Heavy truck
Body style	Conventional
Related	Tatra 141 Tatra 147
Powertrain
Engine	See below
Transmission	4-speed manual x 2-speed transfer case
Chronology
Predecessor	Tatra 81
Successor	Tatra 138

Engine V910
Overview
Manufacturer	Tatra
Also called	V910
Layout
Configuration	75° V12
Displacement	14.8 L (903 cu in)
Cylinder bore	110 mm (4.3 in)
Piston stroke	130 mm (5.1 in)
Cylinder block material	Cast iron
Valvetrain	OHV
Compression ratio	16.5:1
Combustion
Fuel system	Direct injection 2x inline injection pumps 6 elements each
Fuel type	Diesel
Cooling system	Air-cooled
Output
Power output	180–210 hp (132.5 kW-158kW) @ 1800–2250 rpm
Torque output	726 N⋅m (535 ft⋅lbf) @ 1400–1600 rpm

The Tatra 111 was a truck produced in Czechoslovakia by the Tatra company.

The T111 was developed and manufactured during World War II as a heavy truck for use by the Wehrmacht. Production started in 1942 and continued for twenty years, ending in 1962 when it was replaced by the Tatra 138^[1]. Despite being built for the Nazi war machine^[2], the vehicle ultimately played an important role after the war ended. The Tatra 111 contributed significantly to the rebuilding effort during the postwar era, mainly in Eastern Europe and the USSR. To its chief designer, however, it brought charges of treason and collaboration with the Nazi regime after the communist takeover of Czechoslovakia and contributed to the imprisonment of Tatra's design guru Hans Ledwinka.

The design was based on the proven Tatra concept of a backbone tube chassis construction with swing half axles, a modular gearbox and differential assemblies. The main advantages of the central load carrying backbone tube are its high torsion and bend strength, which protects the truck body against load stresses. The secondary advantage is that it houses all important parts of the drivetrain. Due to its torsional stiffness and use of differentials locks the vehicle had exceptional offroad capabilities. Of note was the ability to use a cranking handle to start the engine.

Model V910 - the first Tatra air-cooled powerplant V12 75-degree V developed from Tatra V850 engine intended for use in Tatra 103 (Sd.Kfz. 234 Puma). The engines had power output of 210 horsepower at 2250 rpm mainly for war use (An average life expectancy during combat for Wehrmacht was 6 hours.) which was later reduced to 180 hp at 1800 rpm to increase reliability. The engine has three camshafts and originally was cooled by two covered chain-driven cooling fans and later belt drive (marked T111A).

Central backbone tube, front and rear axles with independent swing half axles. Front axle suspended on quarter elliptic leaf springs, rear axles suspended on half elliptic longitudinal leaf spring. The service brakes were air all-round drums, parking brake had mechanical actuation on the rear end of backbone tube output shaft via a rotating drum.

• Front track = 2,080 mm (81.9 in)
• Rear track = 1,800 mm (70.9 in)
• Wheelbase = 4,175 mm (164.4 in)+1,200 mm (47.2 in)
• Road clearance = 300 mm (11.8 in)

• Drive - 6x6 selectable front wheels drive
• Main gearbox - 4+1 (1st and 2nd gears synchronized)
  • gear ratios - 5.29, 2.78, 1.62, 1.00, R 5.91
    • Auxiliary gearbox - 2-speed
      • gear ratios - offroad - 4.52, highway - 1.82
• Differentials - ratio 3.19
• Clutch - 2x plate, dry

The cab originally used wood for its construction due to strategic unavailability of steel during the war, in later years the wooden frame was steel plated and the last models used an all-steel cabin. The vehicle was capable of a top speed of approximately 65 km/h (40 mph). The maximum cargo capacity was 10.3 tonnes and it had the ability to tow up to 22 tonnes trailer.

The Tatra 111 was in production for 20 years, with a total of approximately 34,000 units built. The T111 engine was widely used in the variety of other vehicles such as a heavy tractor T141, a railway car M 131, airport tugs and pontoon bridges used by the army. The engine was also "halved" to create an inline 6-cylinder version for the Praga V3S 6x6 light utility military truck and civilian Praga S5T light truck. Based on the T111 V12 engine, a V8 version was created for the T128 4x4 truck for the Czechoslovak armed forces, designed mostly from T111 parts. T111 main product range was in flatbed, tipper, tanker and crane configuration.

The Tatra T111's exploits in Siberia had earned its reputation, and its legendary reliability contributed to its iconic status among those who drove and lived in those conditions. The T111 concept and technology continued its evolution in following years with subsequent Tatra truck models.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tatra 111.

• Tatra a.s.