SECOND LIFE ANTI-AIRCRAFT “LIZARD”

The story began during the Second world war. The command of the Wehrmacht, faced at the first stage of hostilities with a large number of Soviet light armored vehicles – tanks BT, T-60, T-70 and armored vehicles, and with our attacking aircraft, especially with the armored attack aircraft Il-2, decided to supply the troops of the 30-mm gun of high destructive power and long range of fire. According to the plan, such weapons must be effective to act on the objects directly on the battlefield, but also at air targets.

In 1942 the order for the development of paired 30-mm anti-aircraft guns under the symbol VG 0.30 cm 303 placed on the world-renowned Czechoslovak arsenals in Brno. However, the design proved to be difficult: having a considerable experience in the establishment of rifle-calibre machine guns, the Czechs met with great challenges in the transition to the 30-mm rounds. Development has moved into the post-war period and was only completed in 1953, Then the system has been tested and was adopted as “a 30-mm anti-aircraft gun OBR. ZK 453 1953” (designation NATO – M53/59).

In the years of the cold war the main armament of the armies of the socialist countries was Soviet-made. But the weapons took a lot. In addition, under the threat of nuclear confrontation to concentrate all military production in one country was feasible. Because part of the creation and production of weapons outsource to other countries with experience of military production – Czechoslovakia, the GDR, Poland.

30-mm anti-aircraft guns ZK 453 mounted on the chassis of the all-wheel drive three-axle truck Praga V3S (“Prague”), which had the official title of Praga PLDvK vz. 53/59 – Jesterka (“Lizard”), a NATO machine was called the Model PLDvK 53/59.

ZK 453 provided a much greater range than Soviet 23-mm guns on 3U-23-2, although the belt feeding our anti-aircraft guns provided a higher rate of fire. An interesting feature of the system was that an artillery unit could be removed from the armored car and used for firing from stationary positions.

In Slovak army a part of the machine Praga PLDvK vz. 53/59 Jesterka was painted in gray color. The interior of the armored compartment - beige, door - hacks. Anti-aircraft gun, often operated without the chassis, had different color

In the Slovak army, a part of the machine Praga PLDvK vz. 53/59 Jesterka was painted in gray color. The interior of the armored compartment – beige, door – hacks. Anti-aircraft gun, often operated without the chassis, had a different color

220 machines Praga PLDvK vz. 53/59, who served in the army of Yugoslavia, have been the Croatian army. Two of them recovered in two-tone camouflage are exhibited in the Museum of the army of Croatia and participate , parades and exhibitions of historical technology

Of the 220 cars Praga PLDvK vz. 53/59, who served in the army of Yugoslavia, have been the Croatian army. Two of them recovered in two-tone camouflage are exhibited in the Museum of the army of Croatia and participate , parades and exhibitions of historical equipment

ZSU was intended to destroy air targets flying at altitudes up to 3500 m with a speed of 350 m/s, air assault at ranges up to 2000 m, as well as ground targets roughly in the same ranges. The crew consisted of five people: commander, gunner, two loaders and driver.

Much of the success and long life designed equipment was applied due to all-terrain chassis of the Praga V3S. After the nationalization of the factory in 1945, with the start of the cold war, the government set the task to start production of a new generation of modern trucks dual purpose, first, three axis army military all-terrain vehicles. Technical specification for three-axle vehicle the military introduced in 1951 Known the names of the creators of such a machine – a factory engineer lunch and responsible for the project from the Prague Scientific automotive Institute Korbel. Due to the nature of those years in which these people were not. Having collected and having experienced three of the prototype in 1952, they gave documentation on the production, which began a year later. No changes in the documentation did not have the machine, that is, turned “with drawing”.

To 1980-m to years, just the M53/59 is morally and technically outdated. Western reference books of the time carried the equipment to the types of weapons that can not be taken into account, approximately, as the tanks of the Second world war, standing on pedestals of numerous memorials. It was noted the following shortcomings: the lack of the detection system the aim of the machines was carried out only visually overloaded chassis did not provide the desired mobility in the field of middle Eastern terrain. In addition, the lack of the hermetic housing is not allowed to use the machine in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction. Nevertheless, ZSU continued to consist on arms of armies of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Libya.

You should have completed service of this armored self-propelled anti-aircraft guns without military involvement, if not fighting in the falling apart of the Yugoslav Federation. From the very beginning of the Yugoslav conflict installation M53/59 was included in the composition of combat groups. In the beginning, mainly for defense, and later, for direct fire support. Due to the high density of fire and high initial velocity 30-mm shells penetrated through even the walls of houses, and the antiaircraft guns have become indispensable tools in urban combat.

All-Terrain Vehicle “Prague”

ZSU M53/59:

1 – armored cab; 2 — peepholes cab; 3 – barrel anti-aircraft 30-mm cannon ZK 453; 4 – spare stores of shells; 5 – armor artillery tower; 6 – inserted shop shells; 7 – side platform; 8 – a protective armor plate of the tower; 9 – box for the ammunition; 10-mount replacement canister; 11 – commander’s cupola; 12-the door of the fighting compartment

The chassis of the vehicle “Prague”

Artillery ZSU could be removed from the armored car and used for firing from prone. Installing anti-aircraft gun on the ground

The scheme of loading of artillery part of the unit on Board with the help of special guides, ropes, winches

The artillery part of the installation: rapid-fire 30-mm automatic

Especially a lot of these anti-aircraft units were used during the fighting in Bosnia. After the first clashes distinctive sound of their fire rendered the soldiers strong psychological effect: invulnerable to small arms fire M53/59 was easily stopped attack infantry and light armored vehicles.

However, in order not to incur losses from artillery, “lizards” tried to use on the second line of fire. But in urban combat, these machines are operated in direct contact with the enemy, which they armed additional 12.7-mm machine gun.

During the bombing of Serbia and Montenegro by NATO forces in 1999, the M53/59 was actively involved in anti-aircraft defense. Hoping to deal in Yugoslavia with the technology of the late twentieth century, NATO troops used effective electronic warfare systems, making it difficult to use radar. But the M53/59 did not have centralized control systems with this technique of detection. Because radar counter is not touched, a well-prepared calculation could and visual data effectively destroy flying for direct air targets. According to official data, the fire was knocked down 12 cruise missiles and one drone.

Anti-aircraft “Lizard” to the demonstration of armored samples. Museum of military equipment of the Czech city Lexany

ZSU in the fighting. Fire is the installation of the 3rd infantry brigade of the Serbian army, 1992

This is a very big achievement for “legacy” installations. After analyzing the results of the battle, Western military experts came to the conclusion that the M53/59 is one of the most effective weapons used in battles on the territory of the former Yugoslavia in the period 1991 – 1999

According to official documents, 1965 – 1968 Yugoslavia acquired from Czechoslovakia 220 such plants. In 1990, on the territory of the former Yugoslavia was 720 units of this type.

The performance characteristics of the ZSU M53/59

Weight kg:

– combat……………………………………….10 300

– dry……………………………………………7450

Length, mm……………………………………….7300

Width, mm……………………………………2345

Height, mm……………………………………..2580

Height (with inserted

shops), mm……………………………..2950

Body (interior dimensions), mm:

– length…………………………………………..3000

– width………………………………………..2250

– Board height………………………………..1820

Base, mm………………………………3580+ 1120

Track, mm:

– front………………………………………1870

– rear………………………………………….2025

Ground clearance, mm……………………………………..400

Engine:…………..6-cylinder diesel

Tatra T-912-2, 110 HP

at 2200 rpm Maximum speed, km/h:

– on the highway………………………………………….60

– the lane……………………………………..50

Fuel consumption, l/100 km:………32 to 43

Reserve, km…………………………………..600

Fuel capacity, l:……………two tanks at 130

The maximum fording depth, m…………0,8

Radio…………………………….there

Crew…………………………………………5

Anti-aircraft gun

Caliber, mm…………………………………………30

The number of trunks………………………………2

A method of aiming:………….electric

drive or manual

The mass of the trunk, kg………………………………78,2

Mass anti-aircraft machine gun, kg…………224,1

Ammunition…………………….400 shots

8 stores

Weight empty magazine, kg…………………….32

The weight of the complete store

(50 shots), kg……………………………84,5

The rate of fire, RDS./min …120 – 150 RDS./min on two guns

Initial velocity of the projectile, m/s……..1000

The most effective range of fire, m:

– ground targets………………………2000

– air………………………………3000

Angle of elevation, deg……………………….60

The time of transfer

from Hiking

in the firing position, min.:…………one

Crew, persons……………………………………………3

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