TKS
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| TK-3 / TKS | |
|---|---|
 Polish TKS tankette |
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| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.4/2.6 tonnes |
| Length | 2.6 m |
| Width | 1.8 m |
| Height | 1.3 m |
| Crew | 2 (commander, driver) |
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| Armour | 4 – 10 mm |
| Primary armament |
7.92 mm km wz.25 machine gun |
| Engine | Fiat 40/46 hp (30/34 kW) |
| Power/weight | 17/18 hp/tonne |
| Operational range |
180 km |
| Speed | 46/40 km/h |
The TK (TK-3) and TKS were the Polish tankettes of the Second World War.
Contents |
[edit] Production History
The tankette (small reconnaissance turretless tank) TK (also known as TK-3) was the Polish design, based upon an improved chassis of the British Carden Loyd Tankette. TK was produced since 1931. The TKS was an improved model with new hull and stronger engine. The armour of tankettes was up to 8 mm thick (10 mm in TKS). In 1939, a re-arming of the tankettes with 20 mm guns was started, but only about 24 were completed before the outbreak of the war.
[edit] Variants
- TK (TK-3) - tankette of 1931, about 280 built
- TKF - TK tankette with 46 hp (34 kW) engine, about 18 built
- TKS - improved model of 1933, about 260 built
- TKS with 20 mm gun - about 24 TKS fitted with 20 mm gun in 1939.
- C2P - light artillery tractor, not armoured, about 200 built.
Experimental models:
- TK-1, TK-2 - first prototypes
- TKD - light self propelled gun with 47 mm gun, 4 made.
- TKW - light reconnaissance tank with turret, 1 prototype.
- TK-3 with 20 mm gun - only one prototype with a modified hull was completed.
- TKS-D - light tank destroyer with 37mm Bofors anti-tank gun, 2 made
[edit] Combat history
The tankettes were the bulk of the Polish armoured forces (575 total) before the Second World War. Because of their armament, they couldn't fight with German tanks except PZKW-I, but their small size made them ideal for reconnaissance and infantry support. They suffered heavy losses during the Invasion of Poland, being usually used as the only tanks available. Only the handful of tankettes armed with 20 mm guns could fight the enemy tanks. On 18 September 1939 polish TKS with 20 mm cannon commanded by Roman Orlik destroyed 3 german Panzer 35(t) tanks and few other vehicles. Next day Orlik counerattacked (alone!) german tank attack and destroyed 7 Panzer 35(t) in one attack. Also he took 2 prisoners. Because he run out of ammo he had to leave battlefield.
[edit] See also
| Polish armoured fighting vehicles of World War II | ||
| Tanks | Armoured cars | |
|---|---|---|
| 7TP | FT-17 | R 35 | TK-3 | TKS | Vickers E | wz.28 | wz. 34 | wz. 29 | |
| Artillery tractors | Cars and Lorries | |
| C2P | C4P | C7P | PZInż 302 | PF 508 | PF 518 | PF 508/518 | Ursus A | PF 621 | PF 618 | wz. 34 | |
| Armoured trains | ||
| Poznańczyk | Śmierć | Danuta | Śmiały | Gen. Sosnkowski | Paderewski | Pierwszy Marszałek | Piłsudczyk | Groźny | Bartosz Głowacki | Smok Kaszubski | Zagończyk | Stefan Czarniecki | ||
| Prototypes and experimental designs | ||
| 10TP | 4TP | PZInż 130 | PZInż 152 | PZInż 202 | PZInż 222 | PZInż 303 | PZInż 342 | PZInż. 703 | PZInż. 713 | PZInż. 723 | PZInż. 603 | TKD | TKS-D | ||
