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Polski Fiat 508/518 "Taczanka" |
The HMG carrier type B |
| Since the end of 1935 in PZIn¿ company intensive works have been started to construct a small cross country wheeled tractor for 37mm Bofors wz.36 AT gun. It also should carry crew of 5 and 80 shells in containers. As a base there were used elements taken from Polski Fiat 508/III(frame, engine and gear box, steering system, front part of a body). More powerful rear bridge (shortened) came from PF 518 car. The drive was 2x4 only so many cross country features were introduced. There were – a gear reducer, an automatic differential lock (the system based on one used in German off - road trucks Henschel), side spare wheels free rotating while crossing ditches, rear wheels' drums enabling drawing out a car by a steel rope wrapping on them, and other minor ones. It could also cross fords. After two years of serious trials and modifications, a very solid chassis was obtained. It was called „Type 302”. The specially construced metal open body was placed on the chassis and that way - „Light gun tractor Polski Fiat 508/518 on 302 Type chassis ” appeared, later simply called „PF 508/58”. This vehicle served as a base for constructing small cross country cars within 1937-38 period. Properly shaped bodies served for different purposes in - signal corps (wireless or telephone), artillery (optical & measuring equipment transport), motorized cavalry (carrier of HMG Browning wz.30 and its crew), transport units (troopers or cargo). The service requirements caused introducing different kind of wooden-steel bodies, creating several different in - shape vehicles. Of course some shape differences appeared between the vehicles which introduced producers within this period. Despite 4x2 drive and only 24HP engine, PF 508/518 cars featured good off-road characteristics, up to 400 were produced in all variants. |
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M O D E L |
| A HMG wz.30 carrier (in Polish - Taczanka) was a special vehicle for motorized cavalry units for close protection against ground and air targets. The car was introduced instead horse drawn HMG wz.30 carrier. The model shows improved version of a HMG Browning wz.30 carrier. A platform was changed to a steady HMG quadrupod and a two seats bench be placed. That way a centre of gravity was lowered enabling more save and comfortably off - road ride. |
