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Poland's TK and TKS tankettes

TKS tankette, captured:
Poland's TKS tankette captured by the Germans
TKS Tankette:
Poland's TKS Tankette
TKS Tankette:
Poland's TKS Tankette
TKW Tankette:
Poland's TKW Tankette

Design

The TK.1 was designed from a British Vickers Carden-Loyd Mark VI tankette.2,5 This lead to the TK.2 and the heavier TK.3.2

TK / TK.3

Had an enclosed superstructure.2 Had heavier armor than the TK.1 and TK.2.2 7.92 mm MG was mounted in the right front of the hull.4

A four wheeled trailer was built that the TK.3 would tow across country, and then once reached a road it would climb onto the trailer and then by removing the tracks it could then be driven.2

Prototype

TK.1 built in 1929.2

Production

Variants

Usage

One company of tanks was attached to each infantry division and horse cavalry brigade.

On September 19, 1939, Sergeant Roman Orlik knocked out 7 German PzKpfw 35(t)s with his TK S with 20 mm gun.

Yugoslavia Demo

A TK.3 was demonstrated as a competitor to the Czechoslovakian Skoda S-I.2 No order was placed.2

  TK.22 Maly czolg rozpoznawczy,
TK5, TK.32, TK-3
(small reconnaissance tank)
Maly czolg rozpoznawczy, TKS5 (small reconnaissance tank) TKF
Crew 22 Commander, driver
21,2,5
Commander, driver
21,2,5
22
Physical Characteristics        
Weight   5,300 lb
2,500 kg1
2.39 tons5, 2.4 tons2, 2.46 tons1
5,730 lb
2,600 kg1
2.56 tons1, 2.6 tons2,5
2.6 tons2
Length w/gun 7' 9"2 8' 5"5, 8' 5.5"2, 8' 6"1
2.58 m5, 2.65 m1
8' 5"2,5, 8' 6"1
2.58 m5, 2.67 m1
 
Length w/o gun        
Height 3' 5"2 4' 4"1,2,5
1.32 m5, 1.35 m1
4' 4"5, 4' 4.5"2, 4' 5"1
1.32 m5, 1.36 m1
 
Width   5' 10"1,2,5
1.78 m1,5
5' 9.5"2, 5' 10"1,5
1.78 m1,5
 
Ground clearance        
Ground contact length        
Ground pressure        
Turret ring diameter        
Armament        
Main 7.92 mm MG2 7.92 mm MG1
1: 7.92 mm Hotchkiss wz.25 MG5
7.92 mm MG2,4
7.92 mm MG1
7.92 mm Hotchkiss wz.25 MG5
7.92 mm MG2,4
Late models: 20 mm FK
9 mm MG2 AND 7.92 mm MG2
OR   20 mm1 20 mm1  
Secondary        
MG        
Side arms        
Quantity        
Main   1,800 2,000  
Secondary        
MG        
Side arms        
Armor Thickness (mm) 3 - 72 4 - 81
3 - 82
84
3 - 102
101,4
 
Hull Front, Upper   8 10  
Hull Front, Lower        
Hull Sides, Upper        
Hull Sides, Lower        
Hull Rear        
Hull Top        
Hull Bottom   3 3  
Turret Front        
Turret Sides        
Turret Rear        
Turret Top        
Engine (Make / Model) Ford Model A2 Ford Model A1,2,4, Ford A5 Polski Fiat2, Fiat1,2,4, Polski FIAT-122BC5 Fiat2
Cylinders 42 41,2,4,5 41,2,4, 65 42
Cooling Air2 Air2 Air2  
Net HP 402 402,5, 40@2,300 rpm1 401,2 462
Transmission        
Fuel type   Gasoline1,5 Gasoline1,5  
Octane        
Capacity        
Performance        
Traverse        
Max speed 31 mph2 28 mph1, 28.58 mph5, 28.6 mph2, 30 mph
45 kph1, 46 kph5
24.9 mph2, 25 mph1,5
40 kph1,5
26.1 mph2
Cross country speed        
Road radius   124 miles5, 124.3 miles, 125 miles1
200 km1,5
112 miles5, 125 miles1
180 km5, 200 km1
 
Cross country radius        
Turning Radius        
Elevation Limits        
Fording depth        
Trench crossing        
Vertical Obstacle        
Suspension (Type)        
Wheels each side        
Return rollers each side        
Track length        
Tires        
Track width        
Track centers/tread        

Sources:

  1. 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
  2. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  3. -
  4. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  5. Western Allied Tanks 1939-45, David Porter, 2009
Home page graphic for wwiivehicles.com, pictures of Sherman, T-34/85, Tiger, and Churchill