Poland's TK and TKS tankettes

Photos

TKS tankette, captured:

TKS Tankette:

TKS Tankette:

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

• TK, TK.3²: 300^2,5
  • Manufacturer: PZI Institute²
  • Production: 1931 - 1932²
• TKS: 250 - 270, 390²
  • Production: 1934 - ²

Variants

• TK.1²: Prototype built in 1929.²
• TK.2²: Prototype.²
• TK (TK-3): Was licenced from Carden-Loyd in Britain.^2,4 Had same engine as Ford Model A car.^2,4
• TKS: Had Polish built Fiat engine installed.^2,4 7.92 mm MG was mounted in the right front of the hull.⁴ Had a periscope and a sightning telescope.² The suspension was also strengthened.² Tracks were wider.⁵
• TK/TKS 20 mm FK: 20 were converted to carry 20 mm FK gun.
• TKF: Had Polski-Fiat engine.² Two machine guns with one capable of firing at aircraft.²
• TKS-D: Had a 37 mm Bofors anti-tank gun mounted.² Only in early prototype stagaes when war broke out.²
• TKW: Fully rotating turret was installed.² Only a few prototypes built.²

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

Specifications