Ford FT-B
Encyclopedia
The Ford FT B was the first armoured car designed and built in Poland
. Built on the chassis of the famous Ford T and armoured with re-used armoured plates, the car was a successful design as for its times. The main designer was the engineer Tadeusz Tański
. The armoured vehicle originated on account of the high demand during the Polish-Soviet war
in 1920.
After the outbreak of the Polish-Soviet War
in 1919, the Polish Army was severely under-equipped. Except for a number of FT-17 tanks arrived with the Blue Army
, the Polish forces lacked any armoured reconnaissance vehicles. During the Soviet offensive leading to the battle of Warsaw
the situation became even more tragic as many Austin-Putilov cars captured from the Red Army were retaken by the Bolsheviks. It was then that engineer Tadeusz Tański
, a renowned inventor and a worker of the Ministry of Military Affairs, designed his armoured car. The project originated within only 2 weeks out from Tanski’s initiative. The prototype was prepared in less than two weeks in the Gerlach
i Pulsing works in Warsaw. After a series of tests the serial production started, and each of the battle-ready cars was immediately dispatched to the front-line and attached to various units. Altogether a series of 16 or 17 cars were made.
The project was based on the successful Ford Model T
, one of the most popular cars of the epoch. The chassis and the levers were significantly reinforced and the fuel tank was moved. In addition, the crank was extended to allow for starting the engine from the inside and the dashboard had been modified. The armoured plating was hand-made out of scrapped German armoured trench shields, and attached to the chassis by bolts.
The FT-B cars took part in the later stage of the Polish-Soviet war
and fought in the battles along the Wkra river and in the battle of Warsaw
, as well as the battle of Kowel
and in numerous other battles.
The high speed, agility, and uncomplicated servicing and repair (thanks to the commercial Ford T chassis) were among the advantages of the vehicle. The armoured vehicles managed In spite of the extra weight of the armour, the vehicles managed well in heavy terrain, and were also able to cross relatively weak bridges on account of their low mass in comparison to other armoured vehicles. The Ford Tf C was really small in comparison to other armoured vehicles of the era, being for example half the size of the Austin-Putilov, and offered a smaller target. Nevertheless, the consequence was that Ford Tf C were very cramped inside, and the driver had to steer from a squatting position. Another problem was engine overheating during longer cross-countrydrives, or with let down cooler armour plating (???). Also the springs were overloaded, in spite of strengthening, but the vehicle was urgently required and the advantages offset the defects. In 1921 Tanski offered to build another series of 30 vehicles; however, this was rejected, because the war was over and no other armoured vehicles were required. 12 Fords Tf C armored vehicles outlasted the war and were in use until 1931. Some had proper names such as "Osa" (wasp), "Mucha" (fly), and "Komar" (mosquito) painted on their armor.
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...
. Built on the chassis of the famous Ford T and armoured with re-used armoured plates, the car was a successful design as for its times. The main designer was the engineer Tadeusz Tański
Tadeusz Tanski
Tadeusz Tański was a Polish automobile engineer and the designer of, among others, the first Polish serially-built automobile, the CWS T-1.He was born in Janów Podlaski to Czesław Tański, one of pioneers of Polish aviation...
. The armoured vehicle originated on account of the high demand during the Polish-Soviet war
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
in 1920.
After the outbreak of the Polish-Soviet War
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
in 1919, the Polish Army was severely under-equipped. Except for a number of FT-17 tanks arrived with the Blue Army
Blue Army
The Blue Army, or Haller's Army, are informal names given to the Polish Army units formed in France during the later stages of World War I. The army was created in June 1917 as part of the Polish units allied to the Entente. After the Great War ended, the units were transferred to Poland, where...
, the Polish forces lacked any armoured reconnaissance vehicles. During the Soviet offensive leading to the battle of Warsaw
Battle of Warsaw (1920)
The Battle of Warsaw sometimes referred to as the Miracle at the Vistula, was the decisive battle of the Polish–Soviet War. That war began soon after the end of World War I in 1918 and lasted until the Treaty of Riga resulted in the end of the hostilities between Poland and Russia in 1921.The...
the situation became even more tragic as many Austin-Putilov cars captured from the Red Army were retaken by the Bolsheviks. It was then that engineer Tadeusz Tański
Tadeusz Tanski
Tadeusz Tański was a Polish automobile engineer and the designer of, among others, the first Polish serially-built automobile, the CWS T-1.He was born in Janów Podlaski to Czesław Tański, one of pioneers of Polish aviation...
, a renowned inventor and a worker of the Ministry of Military Affairs, designed his armoured car. The project originated within only 2 weeks out from Tanski’s initiative. The prototype was prepared in less than two weeks in the Gerlach
Gerlach
-Personal names:* Carl R. Gerlach, mayor of Overland Park, Kansas* Charles L. Gerlach , U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania* Saint Gerlach, Dutch saint* Gerlach I of Nassau-Wiesbaden , Count of Nassau...
i Pulsing works in Warsaw. After a series of tests the serial production started, and each of the battle-ready cars was immediately dispatched to the front-line and attached to various units. Altogether a series of 16 or 17 cars were made.
The project was based on the successful Ford Model T
Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is an automobile that was produced by Henry Ford's Ford Motor Company from September 1908 to May 1927...
, one of the most popular cars of the epoch. The chassis and the levers were significantly reinforced and the fuel tank was moved. In addition, the crank was extended to allow for starting the engine from the inside and the dashboard had been modified. The armoured plating was hand-made out of scrapped German armoured trench shields, and attached to the chassis by bolts.
The FT-B cars took part in the later stage of the Polish-Soviet war
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
and fought in the battles along the Wkra river and in the battle of Warsaw
Battle of Warsaw
Battle of Warsaw can refer to:* Siege of Warsaw , Warsaw retaken by Poles from Swedes on June 30, 1656, during The Deluge* Battle of Warsaw , battle outside the city on July 18-July 20, 1656, during The Deluge, following which Warsaw is captured by Swedes for the second time* Battle of Warsaw ,...
, as well as the battle of Kowel
Battle of Kowel
The Battle of Kowel took place during World War I, from 24 July to 8 August 1916. It began with an Austrian counter-attack by Alexander von Linsingen south of Kowel, a city located in the Volyn Oblast , in north-western Ukraine...
and in numerous other battles.
The high speed, agility, and uncomplicated servicing and repair (thanks to the commercial Ford T chassis) were among the advantages of the vehicle. The armoured vehicles managed In spite of the extra weight of the armour, the vehicles managed well in heavy terrain, and were also able to cross relatively weak bridges on account of their low mass in comparison to other armoured vehicles. The Ford Tf C was really small in comparison to other armoured vehicles of the era, being for example half the size of the Austin-Putilov, and offered a smaller target. Nevertheless, the consequence was that Ford Tf C were very cramped inside, and the driver had to steer from a squatting position. Another problem was engine overheating during longer cross-countrydrives, or with let down cooler armour plating (???). Also the springs were overloaded, in spite of strengthening, but the vehicle was urgently required and the advantages offset the defects. In 1921 Tanski offered to build another series of 30 vehicles; however, this was rejected, because the war was over and no other armoured vehicles were required. 12 Fords Tf C armored vehicles outlasted the war and were in use until 1931. Some had proper names such as "Osa" (wasp), "Mucha" (fly), and "Komar" (mosquito) painted on their armor.
Sources
- Janusz Magnuski, "Samochody pancerne Wojska Polskiego 1918-1939", WiS; Warszawa 1993
- Jan Tarczyński, K. Barbarski, A. Jońca, "Pojazdy w Wojsku Polskim - Polish Army Vehicles - 1918-1939"; Ajaks; Pruszków 1995
- Piotr Zarzycki, "Improwizowany samochód pancerny FT-B Model 1920"; Młody Technik 11/1988
- Janusz Magnuski, "Samochód pancerny Ford"; MMG, Warszawa 1990