Venezuela was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations which are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. - US CIA World Factbook

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Italian CV33

In 1935, after several border incidents with Colombia, the Venezuelan government acquired two Ansaldo CV33 for evaluation. These were the first tracked vehicles in the Venezuelan army.

Photo provided by Dr. André Louis Maurois
Venezuelan Armored Cars

A small number of armored recce vehicles were fabricated at the Puert Cabello Naval Arsenal. These were rather similar to a turtle in appearance and thus were dubbed "Tortuga" ( Turtle) The "Tortuga" was designed by an engineer called Tomás Pacanins,. The chassis was a Ford 6x4 commercial vehicle, a rotating turret, and armed according to with a Vickers Mk, 4b 7 mm machine gun (the ones shown on the photo above show a Hotchkiss Mod. 1931 13.2 mm according to Dr. Georg von Rauch). It is believed that 12 units were built but only five were displayed. In the event the vehicles were poorly designed, offered poor visibility and no ventilation. The extreme overhang on their bodies rendered them clumsy at hard to maneuver.

Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.
U.S. M3 Armored Scoutcar

(no details)

Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.---U.S. M3A1 "Stuart" Light Tank - October1945. - Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.
U.S. M3A1 "Stuart" Light Tank

(no details)

Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.
U.S. M5 Half-Track

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Venezuelan AA Half-Track seen here with a British naval 2pdr ¨Pom-pom¨ of WW II vintage.. - Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.---Seen here with a Bofors 40mm gun. - Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.
U.S. AA Half-Track

This vehicle appeared in the army in the 1950's with a 40mm Bofors gun. The US experimented with this type of vehicle mounting the same gun in the 1940's and this appears a direct outgrowth of the program. The US programs were the T54, T58, T59, Mack T1, T60 and, T68. The Bofors gun was finally dropped as it was not well liked by US engineers. In this nation, they were an improvisation by Venezuelan engineers.

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U.S. M8 Armored Car

Purchased 1954.

Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.---U.S. M18 "Hell Cat" - Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.
U.S. M18 "Hell Cat"

Purchased in 1954. These tanks are still in the Venezuelan army and going strong even though they are over 50 years old!

Photo research by Dr. Georg V. Rauch. Photo courtesy of Dr. André Louis Maurois.
What is it?

Once again Venezuelan engineers prove that they can come up with original designs. What is this vehicle? What was it intended for? If you know, please email me!

The Encyclopedia of armored cars and half-tracks, 1976 - Crow and Icks, provides a description without a photo: Carro Ho, 1954, overall bullet-shaped hull and bonnet on a 4x4 chassis, horizontal radiator louvers, raised episcope cowl across front for driver and assistant driver, rear dome turret w/outside mounted rocket projector or 20mm gun.

People who helped to make this page possible

Dr. Andre Louis Maurois
Dr. André Louis Maurois

Dr. Georg V. Rauch
Dr. Georg V. Rauch
Author of
Conflict in the Southern Cone

Serge Egorov

Lt. Cnl. Carlos R. Doglioli

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Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003