The Czech OT-810, cousin of the SdKfz 251

The Czech army, desiring an army personnel carrier (the Soviets had none) utilized captured and abandoned
German SdKfz 251s for their post-war armed forces. Eventually these left over vehicles wore out and a replacement
vehicle, the OT-810 was created to replace it, utilizing a similar design and constructed by Tatra and Skoda, both of
whom were involved in the original construction of Wehrmacht SdKfz 251s. Approximately 2,400 OT-810s were built
and used by the Czech armed forces well into the 1980s. It is said that several hundred survive today around the
globe, most being destroyed due to disarmament agreements with NATO.

The OT-810 is very similar in size, weight, and performance to the SdKfz 251. The biggest differences was the use of
an eight cyl. Tatra air cooled diesel engine that replaced the underpowered 6 cyl. German Maybach gas engine. The
hood of the OT-810 is somewhat larger to accommodate the larger engine. The Czechs also enclosed the OT-810
with hatches, partially to help protect the occupants from shrapnel and somewhat from exposure to radiation and
gas.