TK-3 Tankette

Introduction

The TK-3 was a Polish tankette made during the 1930’s, based on the British Carden-Loyd tankette. The TKS was an improved model with a redesigned hull and better engine.

TKS Tankette

Design

In 1928, Vickers-Armstrong produced the two-man Carden-Loyd Mark VI, and the design attracted much attention. Poland purchased one in mid-1929, and it was tested on June 20 of the same year in Rembertow. On June 29, ten more tankettes were ordered, along with five trailers and several spare parts. This arrived in September, and large scale tests were carried out. The Poles decided that the design had much potential as motorized cavalry and reconnaissance vehicles. A license was purchased, and Polish designers began to modify the design. The main problem was the suspension. This was strengthened, but even after the modifications, it was decided to instead develop a completely new design based on the Carden-Loyd.

In late 1929, a prototype TK-1 was made, which was followed by the second prototype, TK-2. These were opened at the top, and armed with a single 7.92mm wz.25 or wz.30. Their armor was 3-7mm thick. The only differences were the mechanical layout and the engines – the TK-1 being powered by a Ford Type A, and the TK-2 by a Ford Type T. Both were tested in the summer of 1930 in Modlin, and more development followed.

TK-3 Tankette

In 1930, a heavier and improved model, the TK-3, was produced at Ursus, and was ready for testing by March of 1931. It was accepted into the army on July 14, 1931. Production began in late 1931, and from 1931-34, about 300 were produced by the Panstwowe Zaklady Inzynierii (National Engineering Works) at Ursus. They were the first all-Polish armored vehicles. They were powered by a Ford Type A, hosted a crew of two, had 3-8mm of armor, and were armed with a single 7.92mm wz.25. In 1931, a special trailer was produced to be towed by the TK-3. Other trailers were also made to carry ammunition, supplies, fuel, radio equipment, and soldiers.

TKS Tankette

In June of 1933, the prototype of a more heavily armored version of the TK-3 was made, with the designation of STK. Eventually the designation was changed to TKS. Production began in February of 1934, and 390 were produced by the Panstwowe Zaklady Inzynierii until September of 1939. They were powered by a license-produced Polski Fiat 122B engine, and had many modifications including a strengthened suspension, and more armor which was 3-10mm. They too were armed with a single 7.92mm wz.25 or wz.30.

Estonian TKS in a Parade, February 1937

Estonian TKS in military testing

On November 6, 1934, Estonia bought six tankettes from Poland with a contract deal worth over 180,000 crones. The contract also included one tracked lorry, and a free motorcycle.

Attempts to replace the 7.92mm gun with a 13.2mm Hotchkiss heavy machine-gun never left the drawing boards. But at the same time, a single TK-3 was rearmed with a 20mm Solothurn automatic cannon, and subsequently with a Polish 20mm wz.38. However, it was decided to rearm only the TKS tankettes. During tests, tests with the Danish Madsen automatic cannon, and the Swiss Solothurn 20mm automatic cannon showed these weapons to be inadequate, and it was decided to use the Polish 20mm FK-A wz.38 L/73.5 (which was capable of penetrating 40mm of armor from 656 feet). In January of 1939, the prototype TKS armed with a 20mm gun was ready. Its front superstructure was redesigned to hold the gun in a large ball-mount. It was planned to rearm 100-150 TKS tankettes until January 30, 1940. Only a small number were rearmed before September of 1939, and given to the 10^th Mechanized Brigade, and they were used as commanders’ vehicles.

Another Estonian TKS Tankette

A lineup of Estonian TKS Tankettes

Combat History

In September of 1939, the Polish TK-3 armada was in bad shape, and in need of repairs, but all of them were put into combat. They formed the bulk of Polish armor at the wars start, and they suffered heavy losses. Usually they were the only available armored vehicle. But since the armament was only a single light machine-gun, they stood no chance against the bigger, heavier German tanks, with the exception of the Panzer I. But their small size made them suitable for reconnaissance missions, and infantry support.

The handful that had 20mm guns did have a better chance against German tanks. On September 18, during the Bzura Offensive, the 20mm armed TKS commanded by Officer Cadet Roman Orlik destroyed three German PzKpfw (Panzerkampfwagen) 35(t) tanks from the 11^th Panzer Regiment, 6^th Panzer Division, near Pociecha, Central Poland.

Specifications

TK-3

Weight: 2.43-2.6 tons

Length: 8ft 5.5in

Width: 5ft 10in

Height: 4ft 4in

Crew: 2

Armor: 4-10 mm

Armament: 1x 7.92mm km wz25 machine gun, 1800rnds

Engine: Ford A/Polski FIAT-122 petrol engine, 40-46hp

Power to Weight: 17-18hp per ton

Suspension: Bogie

Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gallons

Operational Range: 124 miles roads, 62 miles country

Speed: 28.5mph

TKS

Weight: 2570kg (early), 2650kg (late) 2800kg (20mm)

Length: 8ft 5in-8ft 5.5in; 9ft 9in (20mm)

Width: 1.76m-1.78m

Height: 9ft 9in-9ft 10in

Crew: 2

Armor: 3-10mm

Armament: 1x 7.92mm Hotchkiss wz.25 (2000rnds) or wz.30 (2400rnds); 20mm FK-A wz.38 L/73.5 (250rnds)

Engine: Polski Fiat 122AC 6-cylinder 42hp (early); Polski Fiat 122B 6-cylinder 46hp (late)

Power to Weight:

Suspension: Bogie

Fuel Capacity: 70 liters

Operational Range: 112 miles road, 68 miles country

Speed: 25mph

Sources:

www.achtungpanzer.com

www.wikipedia.org

www.wwiivehicles.com