C7P
Encyclopedia
C7P was a Polish
tracked
artillery tractor
, used by the Polish Army before and during World War II
. The tractor was developed by the design bureau of Witold Jakusz of the PZInż company between 1931 and 1934.
In 1931 Poland bought several dozens of British Vickers E tanks and a license to build additional tanks at home. The Polish Army also considered purchase of the then-constructed Dragon Medium Mk IV artillery tractor, based on the Vickers E, but the purchase never happened. As the British tank was considered not suited for service in Polish climate and needed adaptation, it was decided that a similar Polish tank be built as a modification of the Vickers' design. The tank, initially code-named VAU-33, with time became the 7TP
. Simultaneously, works started on a new artillery tractor
for the Polish Army that was to replace the Citroën-Kegresse tractors built in France in early 1920s. The main advantage of the new model of artillery tractor, dubbed C6P, C6T and finally C7TP was to be its low price, ease of manufacture and durability. For that purpose, the C7P shared many parts with the 7TP
light tank, produced simultaneously. In fact the chassis
was almost a direct copy of the tank, while the superstructure was partially borrowed from a license-built Saurer
bus.
In 1933 the first two prototype
s were constructed in the Ursus
factory of the PZInż. The C6P had the engine placed in the front and used front wheel drive, while the C6T had the engine placed behind the crew compartment and used the rear wheel drive. After a series of tests the C6P was chosen as a better option. In fact the new tractor, later redesignated as C7P, was much superior to its contemporary counterparts, particularly the British Dragon Medium Mk IV and the Soviet
T-26T, both in terms of power and additional equipment. The final project included a closed crew compartment and a motor-driven winch
.
In 1934 the production started. Out of approximately 350 ordered, only 151 were built until the outbreak of World War II
. Approximately 108 were sold to the artillery units, where the C7P was used as an artillery tractor in the regiments of heaviest artillery, mainly for towing of heavy 220 mm wz.32 Škoda
mortars. Additional 18 tractors were attached to various tank units, mostly the Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade
for towing of immobilized tanks and for transport of tanks to the battlefield on specially designed towing platforms. Finally, two tractors were delivered to the engineering units for road maintenance and destruction of railways in case of a war. Until 1942 additional 52 were to be delivered to various communal services, where they were to be used as snowplow
s to keep the roads in good condition in case of a war. During the Polish Defensive War
of 1939 all C7P were used in active service. Most were captured by the Germans and were used as towing machines and snowplows at least until 1941. No example of the C7P survives today. However, a single C7P hull was recovered near Volgograd few years ago. This hull was restored with a BT-5 or BT-7 turret and now looks like a T-26 tank. It is now on display at the Victory Park, Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
tracked
Caterpillar track
Continuous tracks or caterpillar tracks are a system of vehicle propulsion in which modular metal plates linked into a continuous band are driven by two or more wheels...
artillery tractor
Artillery tractor
Artillery tractor is a kind of tractor, also referred to as a gun tractor, a vehicle used to tow artillery pieces of varying weights.-Traction:...
, used by the Polish Army before and during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The tractor was developed by the design bureau of Witold Jakusz of the PZInż company between 1931 and 1934.
In 1931 Poland bought several dozens of British Vickers E tanks and a license to build additional tanks at home. The Polish Army also considered purchase of the then-constructed Dragon Medium Mk IV artillery tractor, based on the Vickers E, but the purchase never happened. As the British tank was considered not suited for service in Polish climate and needed adaptation, it was decided that a similar Polish tank be built as a modification of the Vickers' design. The tank, initially code-named VAU-33, with time became the 7TP
7TP
The 7TP was the Polish light tank of the Second World War. A development of the British Vickers 6-ton, it was significantly better armed than its most common opponents, the German Panzer I and Panzer II. A standard tank of the Polish Army during the Polish Defensive War of 1939, its production...
. Simultaneously, works started on a new artillery tractor
Artillery tractor
Artillery tractor is a kind of tractor, also referred to as a gun tractor, a vehicle used to tow artillery pieces of varying weights.-Traction:...
for the Polish Army that was to replace the Citroën-Kegresse tractors built in France in early 1920s. The main advantage of the new model of artillery tractor, dubbed C6P, C6T and finally C7TP was to be its low price, ease of manufacture and durability. For that purpose, the C7P shared many parts with the 7TP
7TP
The 7TP was the Polish light tank of the Second World War. A development of the British Vickers 6-ton, it was significantly better armed than its most common opponents, the German Panzer I and Panzer II. A standard tank of the Polish Army during the Polish Defensive War of 1939, its production...
light tank, produced simultaneously. In fact the chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
was almost a direct copy of the tank, while the superstructure was partially borrowed from a license-built Saurer
Saurer
Adolph Saurer AG was a Arbon, Switzerland , based manufacturer of trucks and buses, under the Saurer and Berna brand names, and active between 1903 and 1982....
bus.
In 1933 the first two prototype
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
s were constructed in the Ursus
Ursus Tractor Factory
The Ursus Factory is a Polish producer of agricultural machinery located in Warsaw.- Early History :The Ursus Factory was founded in Poland in 1893 on 15 Siennej Street, Warsaw, by three engineers and four businessmen...
factory of the PZInż. The C6P had the engine placed in the front and used front wheel drive, while the C6T had the engine placed behind the crew compartment and used the rear wheel drive. After a series of tests the C6P was chosen as a better option. In fact the new tractor, later redesignated as C7P, was much superior to its contemporary counterparts, particularly the British Dragon Medium Mk IV and the Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
T-26T, both in terms of power and additional equipment. The final project included a closed crew compartment and a motor-driven winch
Winch
A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...
.
In 1934 the production started. Out of approximately 350 ordered, only 151 were built until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Approximately 108 were sold to the artillery units, where the C7P was used as an artillery tractor in the regiments of heaviest artillery, mainly for towing of heavy 220 mm wz.32 Škoda
Škoda Works
Škoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
mortars. Additional 18 tractors were attached to various tank units, mostly the Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade
Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade
The 10th Cavalry Brigade was a Polish military unit, the only fully operational Polish motorized infantry unit during the Invasion of Poland of 1939, at the onset of World War II. Commanded by Col...
for towing of immobilized tanks and for transport of tanks to the battlefield on specially designed towing platforms. Finally, two tractors were delivered to the engineering units for road maintenance and destruction of railways in case of a war. Until 1942 additional 52 were to be delivered to various communal services, where they were to be used as snowplow
Snowplow
A snowplow is a device intended for mounting on a vehicle, used for removing snow and ice from outdoor surfaces, typically those serving transportation purposes...
s to keep the roads in good condition in case of a war. During the Polish Defensive War
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
of 1939 all C7P were used in active service. Most were captured by the Germans and were used as towing machines and snowplows at least until 1941. No example of the C7P survives today. However, a single C7P hull was recovered near Volgograd few years ago. This hull was restored with a BT-5 or BT-7 turret and now looks like a T-26 tank. It is now on display at the Victory Park, Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow