SAMOCHÓD PANCERNY WZ.34-II Z DZIAŁKIEM PUTEAUX - WRZESIEŃ 1939

Ursus wz.34 is a Polish armored car from the interwar period and World War II. The first prototypes of the vehicle were created in 1934, and serial production continued in the period 1934-1938, ending with the production of about 90 vehicles. Ursus wz.34 was powered by an engine in the basic version Citroen B-14 with a power of 14 HP. The vehicle was armed with either a 37mm Puteaux SA1918 cannon or 1 7.92mm Hotchkiss wz.25 machinegun. In the mid-1920s, it was decided to introduce a new armored car into service in the Polish Army, which at the same time would replace the structures used since Poland regained independence. After long talks with domestic and foreign contractors, the armored car wz.28 was put into service, but it turned out to be a highly unsuccessful design. Hence, it was quickly decided on their far-reaching modernization, which led to the creation of a completely new car - precisely Ursus wz.34. Compared to the original, it had a significantly improved top speed, better suspension and a wheeled chassis instead of a half-track. During this modernization, some mechanical elements from the Fiat 621 truck were used. Two versions of the car were made during the modernization and production. The first was designated wz.34-I and used an engine Polish Fiat 108 with 23 HP. The second variant (wz.34-II) was powered by a Polish Fiat 108-III engine with a power of 25 HP, it also had a much more efficient electrical installation. Armored cars Ursus wz.34 were used in the September campaign in the Cavalry Brigades of the Polish army.