TKS
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It has been suggested that TKS (EST) be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) |
| TK-3 / TKS | |
|---|---|
 TKS tankette |
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| Type | Tankette |
| Place of origin |  Poland |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Poland Estonia |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1931 - 1939 |
| Number built | 575 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.43/2.6 tonnes |
| Length | 2.58 m |
| Width | 1.78 m |
| Height | 1.32 m |
| Crew | 2 (commander, driver) |
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|
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| Armor | 4 – 10 mm |
| Primary armament |
7.92 mm km wz.25 machine gun |
| Engine | Fiat 40/46 hp (30/34 kW) |
| Power/weight | 17/18 hp/tonne |
| Operational range |
200 km (roads), 100 km (cross-country) |
| Speed | 46/40 km/h |
The TK (TK-3) and TKS were Polish tankettes during the Second World War.
Contents |
[edit] Design and devleopment
The TK tankette was a Polish design produced from 1931 that was based upon an improved chassis of the British Carden Loyd tankette. The TKS was an improved model with a new hull and a more powerful engine. The armour of the TK was up to 8 mm thick (10 mm on the TKS). In 1939, re-arming of the tankettes with 20 mm guns began, but only about 24 were completed before the outbreak of World War II.
[edit] Combat history
The 575 TK/TKS tankettes formed the bulk of the Polish armoured forces before the outbreak of war. They suffered heavy losses during the Invasion of Poland, often being the only armoured fighting vehicles available. Due to their light armament of a single machine gun, they stood no chance in combat against German tanks, except the Panzer I (also based on the Carden Loyd tankette), but their small size suited them for reconnaissance and infantry support. Only the handful of tankettes armed with 20 mm guns had a fighting chance against the enemy tanks; in one instance on 18 September 1939 a 20 mm gunned TKS commanded by sergeant Roman Orlik destroyed three German Panzer 35(t) tanks.
[edit] Gallery
 TKS |
 TK-3 |
[edit] Variants
- TK (TK-3) - from 1931, about 280 built
- TKF - TK tankette with 46 hp (34 kW) engine, about 18 built
- TKS - improved model of 1933, about 260 built
- TKS with 20 mm gun - about 24 TKS fitted with 20 mm gun in 1939.
- C2P - unarmoured light artillery tractor, about 200 built.
Experimental models:
- TK-1, TK-2 - first prototypes
- TKD - light self propelled gun with 47 mm gun, four made.
- TKW - light reconnaissance tank with turret, one prototype made.
- TK-3 with 20 mm gun - only one prototype with a modified hull was completed.
- TKS-D - light tank destroyer with 37 mm Bofors anti-tank gun, two made
[edit] References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (August 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
[edit] External links
- TK & TKS tankettes wwiivehicles.com
- TK Tankette Series Small / Light Reconnaissance Tank achtungpanzer.com
| Polish armoured fighting vehicles of World War II | ||
| Tanks | Armoured cars | |
|---|---|---|
| 7TP | FT-17 | R 35 | TK-3 | TKS | Vickers E | wz.28 | wz. 34 | wz. 29 | |
| Artillery tractors | Cars and Lorries | |
| C2P | C4P | C7P | PZInż 302 | PF 508 | PF 518 | PF 508/518 | Ursus A | PF 621 | PF 618 | wz. 34 | |
| Armoured trains | ||
| Poznańczyk | Śmierć | Danuta | Śmiały | Gen. Sosnkowski | Paderewski | Pierwszy Marszałek | Piłsudczyk | Groźny | Bartosz Głowacki | Smok Kaszubski | Zagończyk | Stefan Czarniecki | ||
| Prototypes and experimental designs | ||
| 10TP | 4TP | 14TP | 20/25TP | PZInż 130 | PZInż 152 | PZInż 202 | PZInż 222 | PZInż 303 | PZInż 342 | PZInż. 703 | PZInż. 713 | PZInż. 723 | PZInż. 603 | TKD | TKS-D | ||
