Wheel-and-Track Vehicles

Great pictures, thanks

 

Some more views of the Draisines (or Dreznyas) in Polish service;

A mixed batch with the Wz34, TKS, FT17 etc

The FT17 one a bit clearer

And showing the drive linkage taken off the gearbox

And a 7TP drezyna

Apparently they made a lot of use of these, but there doesn't seem to be any info about any successes they might have contributed too. Later the germans used quite a lot of armoured cars converted to run on rail (although not as a drive on/off draisine), mostly for recon ahead of trains especially armoured ones.

 

Does anyone have any views on this puzzle? According to a lot of what i have seen about these vehicles there was an emphasis on mountainous and snowy terrain, and places without many roads, with the early ones basing the concept around the WW1 idea of a road up to the front, then mud, however the only real use of these vehicles in WW2 was in North Africa.

Obviously the terrain in North Africa was not perfect for wheeled vehicles, but none of the other armies involved seem to have gone to great lengths to make their logistic transport tracked.

The Germans placed a greater emphasis on half-tracks in all theatres, especially Russia, and yet they never went further with these obviously functional Austrian vehicles, despite their halftracks being approximately as complex until the very late maultiers and third generation half-tracks and RSO tractors which were pretty much simplified.

 

Some American examples;

first a series of Christies;

M1932
T1 combat car (could be full-track, half-track or wheeled)
T2 combat car (as above)

there were many more, mostly wheel-or-track designs

Then two views of the interesting Linn C5 of 1939 - half-track or all wheels

 

Also some more Russian and Polish examples;

Model 1931
and again

and T29 on wheels

Polish 10TP on wheels showing obvious Russian/Christie influence
Polish FT17 on Autotransport chassis

 

And one of the Schofield tank on tracks for comparison - gives some idea how much of a pain it was to change the two drives over - it appears the wheels had to actually be removed, although that could have been optional?

 

And here's an experimental German effort from 1928;

Sorry not much info on this one

 

Here´s another one AEC Matador

 

Think that one counts more as a half-track/maultier type, but thanks for the picture anyway - it's a rare one to be sure

 

Haven't seen his one on the list (sorry if I missed it), should be Hungarian and was tested in Italy, can probably find some more info, reported to be anphibious as well !!!

View attachment 14570

Layout looks more reasonable than many others

 

that's the Hungarian Straussler v4 light tank - didn't realise it was wheel-and-track - well spotted

 

Here are a couple more examples;

A japanese model from around 1930, although I think it may actually be a St Chamond - if not a very close copy.

A Swiss model from the war period (probably 1939) which seems to be the first model to have successfully used tracks over pneumatic tyres (i wait to be corrected here)

And a great view of the Saurer showing how the steering worked on wheels

And the Soviet BT-3

And BT-2 on wheels

 

I would say its a copy. In the post-WWI period the Japanese were known for copying the designs of western countries. It does seem kind of strange that they would put effort into their St. Chamond, though, knowing that it turned out to be a complete failure.

Looking at the import records for Japan dealing with tanks from Japan, it looks like they only brought in Char D1s (updated model of the WWI-vintage FT17). I wouldn't say that importing a St. Charmond is out of the question, but it looks unlikely.

 

Thanks Alan - I'm pretty sure you're right - I'm still looking for a designation but had no luck yet - maybe we need a 'name this vehicle/find this vehicle' thread that isn't a quiz as such, for all the UFTs so we can tap into the group subconscious?

 

Just found a japanese picture that calls it a St Chamond 1921 - not necessarily true but seems believable;

 

Also some more Christie models;

8-inch SPG of 1918 - complete failure
105mm SPG - shows clearly where the Straussler tank got it's inspiration
A good view of the Christie wheels showing how they engaged the tracks
1923 amphib model
1921 amphib model

 

And an interesting model based on the Ford model T that uses pneumatic tyres, but unfortunately no info if it was any good or not;

 

It seems the Saurer (sdkfz254) was used quite widely in the East and other places as well as Africa, including a version with a turret;

In the snow
again snowy
Yugoslavia
The turret version (looks to me like the turret off a soviet light tank, not sure which yet)
And a nice picture of the back showing how small it actually was, which isn't so obvious from the side views.

 

Another interesting one - The ADMK (Austro Daimler Motor Karette)four door version;

picture with it on tracks
and on wheels
and again
and with an ADMK standard version (as seen further up the thread) for comparison
and it's apparently more usual tracks only configuration (incidentally fitted with extra wide tracks)

 

Also a standard ADMK with only the front wheels left attached - perhaps it was also used in a half track configuration?