In Box Review of IBG 1/35th Scale
Polish Tankietka TKS zCKM Hotchkiss WZ-25 w/PE Parts
Kit no. 35045
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: 18.50 Euro ($15.84 U.S. dollars)
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: 18.50 Euro ($15.84 U.S. dollars)
HISTORY:
The TK (TK-3) and TKS were Polish tankettes during the Second World War.
The TK (also known as the TK-3) tankette was a Polish design produced from 1931 based on the chassis of the British Carden Loyd tankette, with an improved hull and more powerful engine, and armor up to 8 mm (0.31 in) thick (10 mm or 0.39 in on the TKS).
In 1939, up-arming of the tankettes with Nkm wz.38 FK 20 mm (0.79 in) machine guns began, but only 24 of these were completed before the outbreak of World War II.
On 6 November 1934 Estonia purchased 6 vehicles from Poland, with the contract deal worth over 180,000 krones. The deal also included one additional tracked-lorry, and a motorcycle was given free as a bonus.
After the Soviet Union occupied Estonia, these vehicles were put into service with the Red Army.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tankette
Place of origin: Poland
Manufacturer: Fabryka Samochodów PZInż.
Produced: 1931 - 1939
No. built: 575
Weight: 2.43 / 2.6 tonnes (2.39 / 2.56 long tons; 2.68 / 2.87 short tons)
Length: 2.58 metres (8 ft 6 in)
Width: 1.78 metres (5 ft 10 in)
Height: 1.32 metres (4 ft 4 in)
Crew: 2 (commander, driver)
Armor: 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in)
Main armament: 7.92 mm km wz.25 (Hotchkiss) machine gun with 2000 rounds
Engine: Ford A / Polski FIAT-122 petrol engine, of 40 / 46 hp (30 / 34 kW)
Power/weight: 17 / 18 hp/tonne (13 / 13 kW/tonne)
Suspension: Bogie suspension
Fuel capacity: 70+8 l
Operational range: 200 km (120 mi) (roads),100 km (62 mi) (cross-country)
Speed: 46–40 km/h (29–25 mph)
The TK (TK-3) and TKS were Polish tankettes during the Second World War.
The TK (also known as the TK-3) tankette was a Polish design produced from 1931 based on the chassis of the British Carden Loyd tankette, with an improved hull and more powerful engine, and armor up to 8 mm (0.31 in) thick (10 mm or 0.39 in on the TKS).
In 1939, up-arming of the tankettes with Nkm wz.38 FK 20 mm (0.79 in) machine guns began, but only 24 of these were completed before the outbreak of World War II.
On 6 November 1934 Estonia purchased 6 vehicles from Poland, with the contract deal worth over 180,000 krones. The deal also included one additional tracked-lorry, and a motorcycle was given free as a bonus.
After the Soviet Union occupied Estonia, these vehicles were put into service with the Red Army.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tankette
Place of origin: Poland
Manufacturer: Fabryka Samochodów PZInż.
Produced: 1931 - 1939
No. built: 575
Weight: 2.43 / 2.6 tonnes (2.39 / 2.56 long tons; 2.68 / 2.87 short tons)
Length: 2.58 metres (8 ft 6 in)
Width: 1.78 metres (5 ft 10 in)
Height: 1.32 metres (4 ft 4 in)
Crew: 2 (commander, driver)
Armor: 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in)
Main armament: 7.92 mm km wz.25 (Hotchkiss) machine gun with 2000 rounds
Engine: Ford A / Polski FIAT-122 petrol engine, of 40 / 46 hp (30 / 34 kW)
Power/weight: 17 / 18 hp/tonne (13 / 13 kW/tonne)
Suspension: Bogie suspension
Fuel capacity: 70+8 l
Operational range: 200 km (120 mi) (roads),100 km (62 mi) (cross-country)
Speed: 46–40 km/h (29–25 mph)
THE KIT:
IBG is a prolific model company based in Warsaw, Poland. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
The kit comes in a tray and lid type box that is not shrink-wrapped. It is blousey and 5 1/2" too long with a void around the parts that size.
The box art shows a TKS crossing a field near a village, followed by 4 Polish infantrymen in khaki uniforms. The tankette is in a wave pattern of green, brown and sand.
One side panel has IBG's street address in Warsaw, their telephone and FAX numbers, E-mail and web addresses, followed by "Kit is not suitable for children under 14 because of small parts. Cement and paint are not included.
Instructions for assembly are inside the box". in Polish, German and English and 3 color box arts of other AFV kits that IBG manufactures: kit no. 35032, a ROSOMAK "The Green Devil" tank, kit no. 35046, a tankietka TKS zNKM, wz38 FK-A 20 mm and kit no. 35016, a British Bedford QLT truck.
IBG is a prolific model company based in Warsaw, Poland. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
The kit comes in a tray and lid type box that is not shrink-wrapped. It is blousey and 5 1/2" too long with a void around the parts that size.
The box art shows a TKS crossing a field near a village, followed by 4 Polish infantrymen in khaki uniforms. The tankette is in a wave pattern of green, brown and sand.
One side panel has IBG's street address in Warsaw, their telephone and FAX numbers, E-mail and web addresses, followed by "Kit is not suitable for children under 14 because of small parts. Cement and paint are not included.
Instructions for assembly are inside the box". in Polish, German and English and 3 color box arts of other AFV kits that IBG manufactures: kit no. 35032, a ROSOMAK "The Green Devil" tank, kit no. 35046, a tankietka TKS zNKM, wz38 FK-A 20 mm and kit no. 35016, a British Bedford QLT truck.
The other side panel has color profiles of the tankette.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains a whopping 17 medium-grey trees. 3 brass PE frets and the decal sheet in 7 sealed clear cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet of 12 pages in 8 1/4" x 11 3/4" page format.
Page 1 begins with a small color repeat of the box art, followed by thanks to the Polish Army Museum and individuals who helped design the kit, followed by international assembly symbol explanations, illustrations of the 3 brass PE frets and the decal sheet and a suggested listing of Vallejo, Nataka, Life Color, Mr. Hobby and AK Interactive brands of hobby paint colors, general instructions and repeat of IBG's street address, phone and FAX numbers in Polish and English.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations.
Page 3 to the top of page 9 gives a total of 28 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 9 and page 10 have walk around photos of the tank and figures made up.
Page 11 is the painting and marking instructions for painting and assembling the 2 figures.
Page 12 has a color 5-view of the tankette in the cover art scheme. The tank can be bare of marking or with a white logo on the front and sides of the hull of a white figure on a rocking horse over SZWADRON SMERCI. As shown with the 10th Cavalry Brigade, September 1939.
This kit contains a whopping 17 medium-grey trees. 3 brass PE frets and the decal sheet in 7 sealed clear cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet of 12 pages in 8 1/4" x 11 3/4" page format.
Page 1 begins with a small color repeat of the box art, followed by thanks to the Polish Army Museum and individuals who helped design the kit, followed by international assembly symbol explanations, illustrations of the 3 brass PE frets and the decal sheet and a suggested listing of Vallejo, Nataka, Life Color, Mr. Hobby and AK Interactive brands of hobby paint colors, general instructions and repeat of IBG's street address, phone and FAX numbers in Polish and English.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations.
Page 3 to the top of page 9 gives a total of 28 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 9 and page 10 have walk around photos of the tank and figures made up.
Page 11 is the painting and marking instructions for painting and assembling the 2 figures.
Page 12 has a color 5-view of the tankette in the cover art scheme. The tank can be bare of marking or with a white logo on the front and sides of the hull of a white figure on a rocking horse over SZWADRON SMERCI. As shown with the 10th Cavalry Brigade, September 1939.
The bottom of the page says "Markings on tanks in Polish Army were forbidden by the army instructions issued in June 1938. The tankette shown above was an exception. To create a regular September 1939 tank do not apply the decal.
Parts trees are called FRAMES.
Medium-grey frame A holds: axle, fenders, engine parts, shovel etc. (30 parts)
Parts trees are called FRAMES.
Medium-grey frame A holds: axle, fenders, engine parts, shovel etc. (30 parts)
Medium-grey frame B is the hull tub (1 part)
The parts for the upper hull (3 parts)
Medium-grey frame C holds 55 parts that include the transmission, more engine parts, ammo boxes, hatches, etc.
There are 2 identical medium-grey frame D trees. They hold: road wheels, idler wheels, drive sprockets etc. (11 parts each)
There are 2 identical medium-grey frame E trees. They hold link and length type track (7 parts each)
There are 2 identical medium-grey frame F trees. They hold individual track links (36 parts each) These parts are tiny and look more 1/72nd scale than 1/35th so use care with a tweezers.
There is no G, H or I frames.
There is no G, H or I frames.
There are 2 identical medium-grey frame J trees. They hold chassis side members etc. (8 parts each)
Medium-grey frame K tree holds suspension parts (8 parts)
Medium-grey frame L tree holds the Hotchkiss m.g., mantle etc. (8 parts)
The medium-grey figure frame is next. The figures are divided up into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs. (12 parts)
The photo etch parts include screens, ammunition, etc. (14 parts)
There are no clear parts. The decal sheet completes the kits contents.
The decal sheet has only 3 white marks on it and they don't appear clearly when photographed against the white card...sorry.
The decal sheet has only 3 white marks on it and they don't appear clearly when photographed against the white card...sorry.
Kit is has a highly detailed interior and exterior. Highly recommended for experienced modelers.
This kit is not for the novice as it is very busy assembly. It is not a weekend project.
I wish to sincerely thank the folks at IBG in Warsaw, Poland for sending me this review sample. All their products can be viewed on their web site at:
This kit is not for the novice as it is very busy assembly. It is not a weekend project.
I wish to sincerely thank the folks at IBG in Warsaw, Poland for sending me this review sample. All their products can be viewed on their web site at: