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TK-3 and TKS

Description

The TK-3 was based on the British Carden-Loyd tankette, designed in 1931. An improved version, the TKS, had thicker armour.

The standard TK-3 and TKS were only equipped with a machine gun. The majority of Polands 575 TK-3 and TKS tankettes were therefore inferior to most German tanks and armoured cars. The tankettes were being upgraded to the 20 mm FK-A wz. 38 tank gun, allowing it to penetrate the armour of most German armoured vehicles, but only a few had been completed by the time of the German invasion.

Several variants were build on the chassis, most notably the C2P artillery tractor.

The TKS was exported to Estonia and Croatia, and a number of TK-3 and TKS were captured by Germany and used for occupational duties.

Technical Details

  TK-3 TKS
Crew
Crew
  • Commander
  • Driver
Physical Characteristics
Weight 2.43 t 2.6 t
Length 2.58 m
Width 1.78 m
Height 1.32 m
Armour
Armour (range) 4-8 mm 4-10 mm
Performance
Speed (max) 46 km/h 40 km/h
Engine
Engine Ford A Polski FIAT-122
Net h.p. 40 46
Armament
Primary weapon km wz.25 (1)

Images

Profile view of a TK-3
Profile view of a TK-3
Profile view of a TK-3, towing a tracked trailer
Profile view of a TK-3, towing a tracked trailer
Good illustration of just how small the TK-3 was
Good illustration of just how small the TK-3 was
TKS armed with the 7,92 mm Hotchkiss wz. 25 machine gun
TKS armed with the 7,92 mm Hotchkiss wz. 25 machine gun
TKS armed with the 20 mm FK-A wz. 38 tank gun. While lightly armoured, this gun enabled the TKS to pose a serious threat to the German Pz Kpfw I and Pz Kpfw II during the German invasion of Poland
TKS armed with the 20 mm FK-A wz. 38 tank gun. While lightly armoured, this gun enabled the TKS to pose a serious threat to the German Pz Kpfw I and Pz Kpfw II during the German invasion of Poland

Further Reading