First To Fight 131 - Wrzesień 1939 - 1:72 Ursus A w wersji autotransportera czołgów TK-3

Plastic Model Kit of the Polish Ursus A Truck in TK-3 Tankette Transporter Configuration in 1:72 Scale

First To Fight 131 is a self-assembly plastic model kit representing the Polish Ursus A truck in a special transport configuration – a vehicle transporter designed for TK-series tankettes, carrying small armored vehicles over longer distances. The 1:72 scale model is part of the “September 1939” series dedicated to Polish vehicles and aircraft from the 1939 defensive campaign.

During the 1930s, Polish armored regiments and battalions struggled with rapid wear of the drivetrain systems in TK-series tankettes during long road marches. Designed primarily for off-road combat operations, the tankettes experienced accelerated wear when driven over extended distances on paved roads. The solution was the use of tank transporters – wheeled transport vehicles capable of carrying the tankettes over long distances, preserving their operational lifespan for combat use.

Inside the box you will find:

• Plastic sprues with cab, chassis frame, and transport platform components for the Ursus A truck
• Specialized transporter parts (including loading ramps)
• Water-slide decals for Polish Army marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions (in Polish and English)

Model technical details:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalog number: 131 (PL1939-131)
• Manufacturer: First To Fight
• Difficulty level: beginner/intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints, or modeling tools. The model requires assembly and painting.

Building the model:

First To Fight models in 1:72 scale are compact, consist of a relatively small number of parts, and are accessible even for beginner modelers. However, due to the small scale and delicacy of some components (including the chassis frame, fenders, and small equipment details), careful and precise assembly is recommended.

For painting the Ursus A military truck in Polish Army service from 1939, the characteristic camouflage schemes of the Second Polish Republic are recommended – most commonly three-color disruptive camouflage patterns (earth gray, dark brown, and dark green stripes) or a uniform dark green finish. Popular paint choices include AK Real Colors (Polish AFV range), Mig Ammo, and Mr. Hobby Aqueous paints. A matte finish works especially well for reproducing the military appearance of the vehicle. To enhance the details of the chassis, wheels, and transport platform, the use of washes and road dust pigments is recommended.

Essential tools:

• Model sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modeling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing mold attachment points
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modeling tweezers
• Paint brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Modeling wash for highlighting details
• Optional: pigments for road dust effects

About the vehicle – Ursus A truck and TK-3 tankette transporter:

The Ursus A was a Polish truck developed in the late 1920s at the State Engineering Works (PZInż.) factory in Warsaw – the Ursus plant in Czechowice near Warsaw was one of the major centers of the Polish automotive industry during the Second Polish Republic. The vehicle was produced in several body configurations: as a standard cargo truck with various cab and cargo bed types, as a bus (Ursus AW), as an ambulance vehicle, and as the A30 variant with a platform for transporting tankettes. The Ursus A chassis was also used as the basis for the wz.29 armored car.

In 1939, Polish armored units operated several dozen trucks adapted for transporting TK-series tankettes – in addition to Ursus vehicles, Polish Fiat 621, Renault FU, and Saurer 4BLD trucks were also used. The TK-3 and TKS tankettes, based on the British Carden-Loyd Mk.VI design, formed the backbone of Polish reconnaissance units. Transporting tankettes over long distances on wheeled vehicles was essential for preserving their combat effectiveness – rapid wear of tracks and drivetrain components during extended road marches would have been difficult to compensate for under field conditions.

The TK-3 and TKS tankettes remained the primary equipment of Polish reconnaissance units until the outbreak of World War II. They participated in the September Campaign of 1939, and their characteristic small silhouette became one of the symbols of Polish armored forces of the period. Approximately 280 TKS tankettes and nearly 300 TK-3 tankettes were produced in total.

Technical data of the original vehicle (Ursus A truck / tankette transporter):

• Class: medium transport truck
• Manufacturer: PZInż. Ursus, Warsaw
• Variant: A with TK-series tankette transport platform
• Configuration: 4×2 truck with transport platform and loading ramps
• Purpose: transport of TK-3 and TKS tankettes over long distances
• Crew: driver + assistant
• Service period: 1930s – September Campaign of 1939
• Operator: Polish Army (armored units)

About the manufacturer – First To Fight:

First To Fight is a Polish publisher and plastic model manufacturer specializing in 1:72 scale kits, best known for the “September 1939” series dedicated to Polish armed forces during the September Campaign. Each kit includes a small plastic model and an informational booklet covering the history of the vehicle or aircraft. First To Fight kits are compact, consist of relatively few parts, and are accessible even to less experienced modelers, making them an excellent choice for expanding collections of Polish 1939 vehicles and aircraft in 1:72 scale. The series also includes vehicles from other nations involved in the September Campaign on both sides of the conflict, allowing modelers to create scenes and dioramas from this period.