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Polski Fiat 508/518 |
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Light tractor for AT Bofors gun |
| 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 508/518”. 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. The PF 508/518 gun tractor carried a crew of 5 (driver and artillerymen). 16 ammo boxes (80 rounds) were place in a rear container. |
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M O D E L |
| The set enables building a vehicle when canvas cover is rolled and fastened to an ammo container in the rear. |
