Reconnaissance tanks TK and TKS
Reconnaissance tanks (tankettes) TK-3 of the Polish Army during solemn parades on the occasion of national holidays.
In total, in September 1939, about 500 tankettes TK-3 and TKS went to the front in parts of the Polish Army. According to the official lists of equipment, the TKS reconnaissance tanks were the most numerous type of vehicles categorized as tanks in the Polish Army. However, this was a bit of an exaggeration due to their poor armor and weaponry.
On July 28, 1925, at the training ground in Rembertow near Warsaw, a demonstration of officers from the Engineering Supply Department of the War Ministry (MSVoysk), the Armored Weapons Command of the War Ministry took place. and a light armored car of the Carden-Loyd Mark VI Military Research Engineering Institute with an open body of the British company Vickers Armstrong Ltd., armed with a heavy machine gun. The car, with a crew of two, drove over rough terrain, overcoming barbed wire obstacles, as well as ditches and hills. He made a test for speed and maneuverability, as well as for marksmanship with a machine gun. The "durability" of the tracks, which could travel up to 3700 km, was emphasized.
Positive field test results led to the purchase of ten such machines in the UK and obtaining a license for their production before the end of the year. However, due to the poor design and technical parameters of the Carden-Loyd Mk VI, only two such vehicles were built at the State Machine-Building Plant in Warsaw (the so-called “X” variant) and an armored car such as the Carden-Loyd was developed and later produced, but was closed because mountains and much more advanced - the famous reconnaissance tanks (tankettes) TK and TKS.
Cars Carden-Loyd Mk VI were used in the Polish Army as an experimental and then training equipment. In July 1936, ten more vehicles of this type remained in the armored battalions, intended for training purposes.
In 1930, the first prototypes of the new Polish wedges were created and subjected to thorough field tests, which received the names TK-1 and TK-2. After these experiments, in 1931, mass production of the machine began, which received the designation TK-3. Modifications made by Polish engineers made this machine much better than the basic design of the Carden-Loyd Mk VI. The tankette TK-3 - officially referred to in the military nomenclature as a "reconnaissance tank" - was adopted by the Polish Army in the summer of 1931.
The tankette TK-3 had a total length of 2580 mm, a width of 1780 mm and a height of 1320 mm. Ground clearance was 300 mm. The weight of the machine is 2,43 tons. The width of the tracks used is 140 mm. The crew consisted of two people: the gunner commander, sitting on the right, and the driver, sitting on the left.
z is made from rolled improved sheets. The thickness in the front was from 6 to 8 mm, the back is the same. The armor of the sides had a thickness of 8 mm, the upper armor and the bottom - from 3 to 4 mm.
The tankette TK-3 was equipped with a 4-stroke Ford A carburetor engine with a working volume of 3285 cm³ and a power of 40 hp. at 2200 rpm. Thanks to him, under optimal conditions, the TK-3 tankette could reach speeds of up to 46 km / h. However, the practical speed of movement on a dirt road was about 30 km/h, and on field roads - 20 km/h. On flat and relatively flat terrain, the tankette developed a speed of 18 km/h, and on hilly and bushy terrain - 12 km/h. The fuel tank had a capacity of 60 liters, which provided a cruising range of 200 km on the road and 100 km in the field.
TK-3 could overcome a hill with a well-connected slope with a steepness of up to 42 °, as well as a ditch up to 1 m wide. In the presence of water barriers, the tankette could easily overcome fords 40 cm deep (provided that the bottom was hard enough). With relatively fast driving, it was possible to overcome fords up to 70 cm deep, but care had to be taken so that water did not get through the leaky hull and flood the engine. The tankette passed well through bushes and young groves - trunks up to 10 cm in diameter, the car rolled over or broke down. Lying trunks with a diameter of 50 cm could become an insurmountable obstacle. The car coped well with the blockages - the low ones were pressed into the ground by a passing tank, and the high ones were destroyed by it. The turning radius of the tankette did not exceed 2,4 m, and the specific pressure was 0,56 kg / cm².
The articulated armament of the TK-3 was a heavy machine gun wz. 25 with ammunition, 1800 rounds (15 boxes of 120 rounds in tapes). TK-3 vehicles could fire effectively on the move from a distance of up to 200 m. When stopped, the effective shot range increased to 500 m. In addition, some of the vehicles were carried by Browning wz machine guns. 28. On the right side of the tankette TK-3 there was an anti-aircraft gun, which could be installed as a heavy machine gun wz. 25, as well as a light machine gun wz. 28. equally
After the serial production of the basic version of the TK-3, which lasted until 1933 and during which about 300 machines were built, studies of derivative versions were carried out. As part of these activities, prototype models were created:
TKW - a wagon with a rotating machine gun turret,
TK-D - light self-propelled guns with a 47-mm cannon, in the second version with a 37-mm Pyuto cannon,
TK-3 is a vehicle armed with the heaviest 20 mm machine gun,
TKF - a modernized car with a Fiat 122B engine (from a Fiat 621 truck), instead of the standard Ford A engine. In 1933, eighteen cars of this variant were built.
The experience of the combat service of the TK-3 tankettes revealed the real possibilities for further modifications that positively affect the effectiveness of this machine. In addition, in 1932, Poland signed an agreement on the licensed production of Fiat cars, which allowed the use of Italian parts and assemblies when modifying the tankette. The first attempts of this kind were made in the TKF version, replacing the standard Ford A engine with a more powerful 6 hp Fiat 122B engine. from the Fiat 621 truck. This change also entailed the need to strengthen the transmission and suspension.
The result of the work of the designers of the State Bureau of Research of Machine-Building Plants was the creation of a significantly modified tankette TKS, which replaced the TK-3. The changes affected almost the entire machine - the chassis, transmission and body - and the main ones were: improving the armor by changing its shape and increasing its thickness; installation of a machine gun in a special niche in a spherical yoke, which increased the field of fire in the horizontal plane; installation of a reversible periscope designed by Ing. Gundlach, thanks to which the commander could better follow the developments outside the vehicle; introduction of a new Fiat 122B (PZInż. 367) engine with higher power; strengthening of the suspension elements and the use of wider tracks; electrical installation change. However, as a result of improvements, the mass of the machine increased by 220 kg, which affected some traction parameters. Serial production of the TKS tankette began in 1934 and continued until 1936. Then it was built about 280 of these machines.
On the basis of the TKS, the C2P artillery tractor was also created, which was mass-produced in 1937-1939. During this period, about 200 machines of this type were built. The C2P tractor was about 50 cm longer than the tankette. Several minor changes were made to its design. This vehicle was designed to tow a 40mm wz. 36, anti-tank guns caliber 36 mm wz. 36 and trailers with ammunition.
Simultaneously with the development of production, reconnaissance tanks TKS began to be included in the equipment of reconnaissance units of the armored units of the Polish Army. Work was also underway on derivative versions. The main direction of this work was to increase the firepower of tankettes, hence the attempts to arm them with a 37 mm cannon or the heaviest 20 mm machine gun. The use of the latter gave good results, and about 20-25 vehicles were re-equipped with this type of weapon. The planned number of rearmed vehicles was supposed to be more, but the German aggression against Poland prevented the implementation of this intention.
Special equipment has also been developed for TKS tankettes in Poland, including: a universal tracked trailer, a trailer with a radio station, a wheeled "road transport" chassis and a rail base for use in armored trains. The last two devices were supposed to improve the mobility of wedges on the highway and on the railway tracks. In both cases, after the tankette entered the given chassis, the drive of such an assembly was carried out by the engine of the tankette through special devices.
In September 1939, as part of the Polish Army, about 500 tankettes TK-3 and TKS (armored squadrons, separate reconnaissance tank companies and armored platoons in cooperation with armored trains) went to the front.
In August and September 1939, the armored battalions mobilized the following units equipped with TK-3 wedges:
The 1st Armored Battalion mobilized:
Reconnaissance Tank Squadron No. 71 is assigned to the 71st Armored Squadron of the Greater Poland Cavalry Brigade (Ar-
mia "Poznan")
The 71st separate reconnaissance tank company is assigned to the 14th infantry division (Poznan army),
The 72nd separate reconnaissance tank company was assigned to the 17th infantry division, later subordinate to the 26th infantry division (Poznan army);
The 2st Armored Battalion mobilized:
The 101st separate reconnaissance tank company is assigned to the 10th cavalry brigade (Krakow army),
The reconnaissance tank squadron is assigned to the reconnaissance squadron of the 10th Cavalry Brigade (Krakow Army);
The 4st Armored Battalion mobilized:
Reconnaissance Tank Squadron No. 91 is assigned to the 91st Armored Squadron of the Novogrudok Cavalry Brigade (Modlin Army),
91st Separate Reconnaissance Tank Company assigned to the 10th Infantry Division (Army Lodz),
92nd separate tank company
Intelligence is also assigned to the 10th Infantry Division (Army "Lodz");
The 5st Armored Battalion mobilized:
Reconnaissance Tank Squadron
51 assigned to the 51st Armored Squadron of the Krakow Cavalry Brigade (Ar-
mia "Krakow")
The 51st Separate Reconnaissance Tank Company was attached to the 21st Mountain Rifle Division (Krakow Army),
52. Separate reconnaissance tank company, which is part of the operational group "Slensk" (army "Krakow");
The 8st Armored Battalion mobilized:
Reconnaissance Tank Squadron
81 assigned to the 81st Pan Squadron.
Pomeranian cavalry brigade (army "Pomerania"),
The 81st separate reconnaissance tank company was attached to the 15th infantry division (Pomerania army),
82nd separate reconnaissance tank company as part of the 26th infantry division (Poznan army);
The 10st Armored Battalion mobilized:
41st Separate Reconnaissance Tank Company assigned to the 30th Infantry Division (Army Lodz),
The 42nd separate reconnaissance tank company was assigned to the Kresovskoy cavalry brigade (army "Lodz").
In addition, the Armored Weapons Training Center in Modlin mobilized the following units:
The 11th Reconnaissance Tank Squadron is assigned to the 11th Armored Squadron of the Mazovian Cavalry Brigade (Modlin Army),
Reconnaissance tank company of the Warsaw Defense Command.
All mobilized companies and squadrons were equipped with 13 tankettes. The exception was a company assigned to the Warsaw Defense Command, which had 11 vehicles of this type.
However, with regard to tankettes TKS:
The 6st Armored Battalion mobilized:
Reconnaissance Tank Squadron No. 61 is assigned to the 61st Armored Squadron of the Border Cavalry Brigade (Army "Lodz"),
Reconnaissance Tank Squadron No. 62 is assigned to the 62nd Armored Squadron of the Podolsk Cavalry Brigade (Army
"Poznan")
The 61st Separate Reconnaissance Tank Company was assigned to the 1st Mountain Rifle Brigade (Krakow Army),
62nd Separate Reconnaissance Tank Company, attached to the 20th Rifle Division (Modlin Army),
The 63rd Separate Reconnaissance Tank Company was attached to the 8th Infantry Division (Modlin Army);
The 7st Armored Battalion mobilized:
The 31st Reconnaissance Tank Squadron is assigned to the 31st Armored Squadron of the Suval Cavalry Brigade (Separate Task Force "Narev"),
The 32nd Reconnaissance Tank Squadron is assigned to the 32nd Armored Squadron of the Podlasie Cavalry Brigade (Separate Operational Group Narew),
The 33rd Reconnaissance Tank Squadron is assigned to the 33rd Armored Squadron of the Vilnius Cavalry Brigade.
(army of "Prussia"),
The 31st separate reconnaissance tank company is assigned to the 25th infantry division (Poznan army),
32nd separate reconnaissance tank company with the 10th infantry division (army "Lodz");
The 12st Armored Battalion mobilized:
21st Reconnaissance Tank Squadron as part of the 21st Armored Squadron of the Volyn Cavalry Brigade
(Army "Lodz").
In addition, the Armored Weapons Training Center in Modlin mobilized the following units:
11th reconnaissance tank company assigned to the Warsaw armored brigade
he is the leader)
Reconnaissance tank squadron of the Warsaw Armored Brigade.
All mobilized squadrons, companies and squadrons were equipped with 13 tankettes.
In addition, the 1st Armored Train Squadron from Legionowo and the 1st Armored Train Squadron from Niepolomice mobilized tankettes to lower the armored trains.
Estimates of the use of tankettes in the Polish campaign of 1939 are different, often very subjective, which adds little to the meaningful knowledge about this machine. If they were given the tasks for which they were created (intelligence, reconnaissance, etc.), then they did a good job. It was worse when small tankettes had to go into direct open battle, which was not expected of them. At that time, they suffered very often from the strength of the enemy, 10 mm armor was a small barrier to German bullets, not to mention cannon shells. Such situations were very common, especially when, due to the lack of other armored vehicles, the tankettes of the TKS had to support combat infantry.
After the end of the September battles of 1939, a large number of serviceable tankettes were captured by the Germans. Most of these vehicles were handed over to German police units (and other security forces) and sent to the armies of Germany's allied countries. Both of these applications were considered by the German command as secondary tasks.
After the end of World War II, there was not a single TK-3 reconnaissance tank, TKS or C2P artillery tractor in Polish museums until XNUMX years. Since the beginning of the nineties, these cars began to arrive in our country in different ways, from different parts of the world. Today, several of these cars belong to state museums and private collectors.
A few years ago, a very accurate copy of the Polish tankette TKS was also created. Its creator was Zbigniew Nowosielski and the vehicle in motion can be seen every year at several historical events. I asked Zbigniew Nowosielski how the idea for this machine was born and how it was created (report sent in January 2015):
Six years ago, after several months of work on the reconstruction of the engine and transmission, the tankette TKS left its “native tank factory in Ptaki” under its own power (it was restored in Sweden thanks to the efforts of the leadership of the Polish Army). museum in Warsaw).
My interest in Polish armored weapons was inspired by the stories of my father, a captain. Henryk Novoselsky, who in 1937-1939 first served in the 4th Armored Battalion in Brzesta, and then in the 91st Armored Squadron under the command of a major. Anthony Slivinsky fought in the defensive war of 1939.
In 2005, my father Henryk Novoselsky was invited by the leadership of the Polish Army Museum to cooperate as a consultant on the reconstruction of armor elements and equipment of the TKS tank. The result of the work carried out at ZM URSUS (the team was led by engineer Stanislav Michalak) was presented at the Kielce arms exhibition (August 30, 2005). At this fair, during a press conference, I made a statement about the restoration of the engine and bringing the TKS tank to full working order.
Thanks to the exemplary cooperation of museologists, the courtesy of the research staff of the SiMR Department of the Warsaw University of Technology and the dedication of many people, the tankette has been restored to its former glory.
After the official presentation of the car on November 10, 2007, during the celebration of Independence Day, I was invited to the Organizing Committee of the 1935th National Scientific Symposium entitled "The Historical Development of Vehicle Design" at the Faculty of SIMR of the Warsaw University of Technology. At the Symposium, I gave a lecture titled “Description of the technological process for the reconstruction of the engine, drive system, drive, suspension, steering and braking system, as well as engine equipment and interior elements of the TKS tank (XNUMX)”.
Since 2005, I have been supervising all the work described in the article, getting the missing parts, collecting documentation. Thanks to the magic of the Internet, my team was able to buy a lot of original car parts. The whole team worked on the design of technical documentation. We managed to obtain many copies of the original documentation of the tank, systematize and determine the missing dimensions. When I realized that the collected documentation (assembly drawings, photographs, sketches, templates, as-built drawings) would allow me to assemble the entire car, I decided to implement a project called "Using reverse engineering to create a copy of the TKS wedge".
Involvement of the Director of the Historic Automotive Reconstruction and Technology Bureau, Eng. Rafal Kraevsky and his skills in using reverse engineering tools, as well as my many years of experience in the workshop, led to the creation of a unique copy, which, placed next to the original, will confuse the appraiser and the seeker of the answer to the question. question: “what is the original?”
Due to their relatively large numbers, the TK-3 and TKS reconnaissance tanks were an important vehicle of the Polish Army. Today they are considered a symbol. Copies of these cars can be seen in museums and at outdoor events.
