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Poland's Czolg lekki 7TP (7 ton) light tank
7 TP light tank: |
7 TP light tank: |
7 TP light tank: |
7 TP light tank: |
Design
The PZI design bureau was given the task to figure out a way to make a Polish made copy of the British Vickers-Armstrong 6-ton tank.2 It was a 9 ton vehicle with a twin turret.2
Engine
A Saurer engine was installed making the 7 TP the first diesel powered tank to be in production.2
Prototype
Production
- 7 TP:
132, 1704
- Manufacturer: PZI2
- Production: 1934 - 19392
- 7TP dw: 24 twin turret
Variants
- 7TP dw: These models had twin turrets.4
- 7TP jw: Made with single turret which was built in Sweden.4
- 7TP (Improved): Had new turret, thicker armor (40 mm), and a strong suspension. This did not enter production.
Usage
Used by the 10th Mechanized Brigade against the German 4th Panzer Division's advance on Krakow.
German Usage
Used for police, anti-partisan, and tractor duties.
| 7TP jw | 7TP dw | 7TP Improved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, driver 31 |
32 | 32 |
| Physical Characteristics | |||
| Weight | 21,000 lb, 21,056 lb, 24,251 lb 9,571 kg, 11,000 kg, 9,550 kg1 9.4 tons1, 9.5 tons4, 9.9 tons3 |
6 tons2 9,000 kg |
11 tons2 |
| Length w/gun | 15'4, 15' 1"1, 16' 4.56 m3, 4.57 m, 4.6 m1 |
15' 1"2 | |
| Length w/o gun | |||
| Height | 6' 7"1, 7', 7' 2"4, 7' 6.5" 2.13 m, 2.02 m1, 2.3 m3 |
7' 0.5"2 | |
| Width | 7' 1"1, 7' 11"4, 7' 11.5, 8' 2.43 m3, 2.16 m1 |
7' 11"2 | |
| Ground clearance | |||
| Ground contact length | |||
| Ground pressure (psi) | |||
| Turret ring diameter | |||
| Armament | |||
| Main | 37 mm1 37 mm Bofors wz 37 37 mm Bofors4 |
2: 7.92 mm wz. 30, water cooled3 2: 7.92 MG2 |
|
| Secondary | |||
| MG | 7.92 mm MG1 7.92 mm wz 30 Browning |
||
| Side arms | |||
| Quantity | |||
| Main | 80 | ||
| Secondary | |||
| MG | 3,960 | ||
| Side arms | |||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 5-171 Min: 254 Max: 404 Front: 173 |
172 | 402 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 17 | ||
| Hull Front, Lower | |||
| Hull Sides, Upper | |||
| Hull Sides, Lower | |||
| Hull Rear | |||
| Hull Top | |||
| Hull Bottom | 5 | ||
| Turret Front | 40 | ||
| Turret Sides | |||
| Turret Rear | |||
| Turret Top | |||
| Engine (Make / Model) | Saurer VGLD Saurer1 |
||
| Cylinders | 61 | 62 | 62 |
| Net HP | 1101,3,4 | 1102 | 1102 |
| Transmission | |||
| Fuel type | Diesel1,4 | Diesel2 | Diesel2 |
| Octane | |||
| Capacity | |||
| Performance | |||
| Traverse | 360° | ||
| Max Speed | 21 mph, 20 mph1 32 kph1, 37 kph3 |
19.9 mph2 | |
| Cross Country | |||
| Road radius | 99 miles, 100 miles1,4 160 km1 |
||
| Turning Radius | |||
| Elevation Limits | |||
| Fording depth | |||
| Trench crossing | 6', 10' 3.12 m |
||
| Vertical Obstacle | 2' | ||
| Suspension (Type) | 2 pairs of twin bogies on rocker with leaf springing4 | ||
| Wheels each side | |||
| Return rollers each side | |||
| Track length | |||
| Tires | |||
| Track width | |||
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
