Syldavian Mechanised Cavalry


 Renault FT17

There were a total of 30 FT17 tanks obtained for use in the original Experimental Mechanised Company. Eight of these were received in 1920 from French troops stationed in Bulgaria. The remainder was purchased in 1925 from various unknown sources.  It is not known if these FT-17’s were from French or Polish units. There is some mention of the Polish made CWS-FT-17’s being exported at the time*.

*Some reports state "about 30", others state 64, still others claim 90. It is believed that Poland, with the agreement of Uruguay, sent some of the tanks to Spain. There were two or three companies (some 30-45 tanks) sold to China, and one (probably only one) company sold secretly to Spain via Uruguay. Exactly how many made it to Yugoslavia and Syldavia is unknown.

B1

Impressed with the overall performance of the FT17 the Syldavian government pursued the production of a Syldavian version of the Renault FT17 which they designated the B1. 

B1 Specifications
Crew	2
Weight	6.8 tons
Length	5m
Width	1.9m
Height	Height - 2.3m
Engine	Hveghi 145 air-cooled engine
Armament	One 37mm cannon.
Armor	17mm
Performance	Speed: 9+ Range: 30 miles (on road).

B1a

Of the original 30 FT17 tanks, 24 of these were redesigned following the introduction of the B1 to serve as self-propelled artillery pieces*.  They featured a 75 mm Krupp howitzer on fixed superstructure, and new engines.  They were re-designated B1a by the war office.

*The remaining in 6 tanks were similarly refitted (although without the main gun)

 and transferred to the tank driving school.

B1a Specifications
Crew	3
Weight	6 tons
Length	5m
Width	2m
Height	Height - 2m
Engine	Hveghi 145 air-cooled engine
Armament	One 75mm cannon.
Armor	6mm
Performance	Speed: 8 Range: 25 miles (on road).

B2

The Syldavian Army’s Experimental Mechanised Company tested a number of tanks, before settling on and purchasing forty-two of the Vickers-Carden-Loyd 6 ton light tank (designated B2 by the Syldavians) as a replacement for the B1.

B2 Specifications
Crew	2
Weight	3.8 tons
Length	11' 10.75"
Width	6' 2.5"
Height	6' 2"
Engine	Meadows 6cyl 90hp
Armament	1x .30cal MG
Armor	7 - 9mm
Performance	40 mph

B3

In 1935 the government ordered the creation of an up-graded version of the Vickers Light Tank.  The original 42 B2’s were upgraded in the fall of  ’35 and returned to service along side 58 locally produced B3’s.

B3 Specifications
Crew	2
Weight	4 tons
Length	11’ 10.75”
Width	6’ 2.5”
Height	6’ 2”
Engine	Hveghi 6cyl 90 hp
Armament	1x 37mm 1x7.9mm MG
Armor	10mm
Performance	40 mph

T15

In 1929, the BGV truck chassis was used as the basis for an armoured car. The Army ordered two prototypes with superstructure built by the Royal Ordinance Factory in Klow. This prototype was armed with a .30 machine gun and operated by a crew of three. Both the rear axles were fitted with twin-tired wheels. In 1929 the prototype was sent testing but it was not a success. On its return it was fitted with a new turret, mounting twin Maxim M08 machine guns. The second prototype was built in 1930 and included a lower bonnet to improve the drivers view and improved armour. Impressed with the second version an order for 50 vehicles was arranged and delivered by 1931.

Specifications
Crew	4
Weight	10,340 lbs
Length	16’
Width	6' 4"
Height	7' 6"
Engine	Hveghi 60hp
Armament	2 x7.9mm MG
Armor	8mm (max)
Performance	50 mph

T16

In 1934, the BGV truck chassis was again used as the basis for an armoured car.  This time the design was an improvement upon the popular T15 armoured car: mounting a 37mm main gun, an improved engine, and thicker armour. 90 vehicles were produced by 1935.

Specifications
Crew	3
Weight	6150kg
Length	3.74M
Width	2.05M
Height	2M
Engine	Hveghi 75hp
Armament	1 x 37mm, 1x7.9mm MG
Armor	15mm (max)
Performance	69 mph

T1

In 1935, a lighter BGV truck chassis was used as the basis for another armoured car.  This time the simpler design was intended to provide the Home Guard and the Mountain Infantry with a simple armoured car. 75 vehicles were produced by 1938.

Specifications
Crew	3
Weight	5000kg
Length	3.74M
Width	2.05M
Height	2M
Engine	Hveghi 75hp
Armament	1 x 7.9mm MG
Armor	7mm (max)
Performance	69 mph