LTL-H / Pzw.39 Swiss Light Tank

The LTL-H tank was manufactured in the Czechoslovakian CKD factory according to the requirements of the Swiss Army. The LTL series tanks had the same design as the much better known and widely used Lt.38 tank, but were smaller. Designer Surin developed a successful light armoured vehicle design that allowed for flexible modifications based on customer requirements. And not just in terms of armament, but also in terms of the size and thickness of the armour. Engines and transmissions could also be modified. Nevertheless, the design was sufficiently reliable and the resulting light tanks were leading for their time in terms of performance and armament. Based on the Swiss order, 24 tanks were produced - half of them in CKD, the rest were then delivered as semi-finished products for assembly in Switzerland.

The tanks had Scania-Vabis engines and the main armament was the 24 mm gun of the Swiss Panzerwagenkanone 1938, supplemented by two 7.5 mm Kolomets (one in the turret connected to the gun and the other in the hull). Delivery was only finally completed after the occupation of Bohemia in April 19399 and the tanks were not decommissioned until 1950. A few examples have survived to this day, even in roadworthy condition.