TKS with machine guns 1:72 First To Fight PL015

Plastic military model for assembly: TKS with machine guns 1:72 First To Fight PL015

The TKS model with machine guns in 1:72 scale from First To Fight is an excellent proposition for enthusiasts of military history and modeling. This detailed set allows for the recreation of one of the most important armored vehicles used by the Polish Army during the September campaign of 1939.

Model characteristics:

• Scale: 1:72
• Manufacturer: First To Fight
• Catalog number: PL015
• Material: Plastic
• Purpose: Model for assembly

History of the TKS tankette:

The TKS tankette was one of the key elements of the Polish armored forces in the interwar period. It was developed as an improved version of the earlier TK-3 model by a team of engineers led by Edward Habich at the PZInż Design Office. Serial production began in 1934, and by the outbreak of World War II, a total of 280 units had been produced.

The main modifications introduced in the TKS included modernization of the front hull shape, engine replacement, addition of a periscope for the commander, and improvement of the running gear. In 1939, in the face of the growing threat from Germany, a decision was made to rearm some tankettes with modern 20 mm cannons, which was intended to increase their combat effectiveness.

Participation in the September campaign:

During the September campaign of 1939, TKS tankettes were widely used by the Polish armed forces. They served in armored squadrons of cavalry brigades, independent reconnaissance tank companies, and reconnaissance units of the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade and the Warsaw Armored-Motorized Brigade. In total, the Polish Army had about 274 TKS tankettes.

One of the most famous commanders of the TKS tankette was platoon sergeant cadet Edmund Roman Orlik, who during the September campaign destroyed 13 German tanks, becoming the first Polish armored ace.

Post-war fate and foreign users:

After the September campaign, many TKS tankettes were seized by German and Soviet forces. The Germans converted them into artillery tractors or sold them to other countries, such as Croatia. Some tankettes were also used by the Luftwaffe to protect airfields and as chassis for training models.

In 1935, six TKS tankettes were sold to Estonia, and after the occupation of that country by the USSR, they were incorporated into the Red Army's equipment. After the war, some units ended up in the hands of collectors and museums, both in Poland and abroad.

Set for self-assembly and painting. Does not include paints or glue. For assembly, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and glue for plastic models (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.