Russian Light Tanks
Armour: 25mm.
Weight: 10 tons.
Armament: 45mm M1932 gun and 2 x 7.62mm DT Mg's.
Speed: 28kmh (17mph) on road, 20kph (12.5mph) cross country.
Range: 200km (125 miles) on road, 175km (109miles) cross country.
Crew: 3, commander, driver and gunner.
In February 1931, production began on a new light tank
intended to provide support for infantry. The vehicle was based upon the
British Vickers Armstrong E light tank and built under licence. Vehicles
built between 1931 and 1933 were designed with twin turrets, each armed
with a 7.62mm DT machine gun. A command version, the T-26TU, was also
produced, with a 37mm gun replacing the machine gun in the right hand
turret. The twin turrets limited traverse reduced the combat efficiency
of the vehicle. So in 1933, the right hand turret was removed and fitted
with a 37mm gun. This layout was soon discarded as the restricted crew
space made the gun difficult to load and the turret ring had a tendency
to fracture under the guns recoil.
Later in 1933 the vehicle was fitted with a purpose built turret and armed
with a larger 45mm Model 1932 gun. Despite these improvements, the vehicles
poor armor protection and underpowered engine made it unpopular with its
crews. Under combat conditions in Manchuria during 1935, it was found
that the riveted armor could be split, even by machine gun fire, causing
fragmentation inside the turret and hull. Following this experience all
following vehicles were produced with welded armor. In addition, repeated
improvements were made to the engine between 1931 and 1941 provided a
modest improvement to its capability. The vehicle was also prone to clutch
and gearbox failures. In 1936 the vehicle was fitted with two DT machine
guns, one in the rear of the turret and one on top for anti aircraft protection.
In 1937, a new version was introduced, the T-26S. The vehicles frontal
armor was increased to 25mm and the design of the turret was changed to
incorporate sloping armor. In 1939, the design of the hull also saw the
introduction of sloping armor. Production of the vehicle ended in 1940,
but there were still large numbers of the type in service.
The versatility of the vehicles design saw it used as the basis for a
number of variations. Based on the Model 1931, the OT-26 was armed with
a model 1939 flamethrower, which was fitted in the right hand turret.
The left hand turret was removed to incorporate fuel tanks for the flamethrower,
which had a range of 25m. The crew experienced difficulty operating the
flamethrower, due to the restricted space inside the turret. This lead
to the introduction of the OT-130, fitted with the larger Model 1932 turret.
In 1937, the final variant, the OT-133, was introduced, based on the T-26S.
The limited range of the flamethrower made these vehicles vulnerable when
they had to approach to close range to engage targets with the weapon.
Lack of a machine gun for local defence also made them vulnerable to infantry
attack. Despite this the OT variants remained in use throughout 1941.
Other variants that were developed included a bridge carrier, a towing
tractor and a forward observation vehicle.
Armour: 10mm
Weight: 3 tons.
Armament: 1 x 7.62mm DT Mg.
Speed: 35kmh (21mph) on road, 15kmh (9mph) cross country.
Range: 185km (115 miles) on road, 115km (72 miles) cross country.
Crew: 2, driver and commander/gunner.
The T-37 entered production in 1933. A small and lightly
armed vehicle, it was unique in that it had an amphibious capability.
Based on the British Vickers VCL amphibian tank, the design was modified
several times before it was finally accepted for production. The vehicle
suffered from waterproofing problems due to its riveted construction,
but this was overcome in 1935 by the introduction of an all welded hull.
In addition to its amphibious capabilities, the vehicle was very robust
and reliable.
In 1937 a modernized version was introduced and the changes were so extensive
that the vehicle was redesignated the T-38. The vehicle had an improved
hull design that lowered the vehicles profile and reduced its weight.
The vehicle also incorporated a new suspension system, a new steering
system and wider tracks, which combined to improve its handling and cross
country performance. Production of the T-38 ended in 1939, but both vehicles
remained in service during the early period of the campaign.
Armour: 20mm.
Weight: 5 tons.
Armament: 20mm ShVAK cannon and 1x 7.62mm DT Mg.
Speed: 45kmh (38mph) on road, 28kmh (18mph) cross country.
Range: 615km (380 miles) on road, 315km (196 miles) cross country.
Crew: 2, driver and commander/gunner.
The T-60 entered prouction in July 1941 and was first introduced in December 1941. The high loss rates suffered by the Russian forces in the early months of the campaign saw a need for the introduction of vehicle which was easy to develop and simple to manufacture in large numbers. Originally designed to be fitted with a 37mm gun, the turret was found to be too small to fit this type of gun and so it was replaced with the rapid firing 20mm ShVAK canon, which proved to be just as effective. The turret was offset to the left of the hull with the engine fitted in the right side for ease of production and maintainence. The early production vehicles were constructed with riveted armor, but this proved unsatisfactory and was soon replaced with an all welded construction. In May 1942 the T-60A was introduced. It featured an increase in frontal armour to 35mm and the spoked road wheels were replaced with solid metal disc ones. Production ceased in February 1943 in favor of the T-70. The vehicle was not popular with crews who nicknamed it 'Bratskaya Mogila na Dovoikh' meaning a brothers grave for two. The vehicle was very reliable and operated well in all weather conditions, especially deep snow. However the vehicles main failing was its two man crew, the commnader doubled as the gunner and this seriously reduced its combat efficiency.
Weight: 10 tons.
Armament: 45mm Zis 19BM gun and 1 x 7.62mm DT Mg.
Speed: 50kmh (31mph) on road, 28kmh (18mph) cross country.
Range: 450km (280 miles) on road, 180km (112 miles) cross country.
Crew: 2, driver and commander/gunner.
The T-70 was introduced in March 1942 to replace the T-60. The vehicle had an improved power plant and a redesigned turret which was again offset to the left of the hull while the power plant was placed to the left for ease of construction and maintenence. The vehicle was mounted on the same chassis as the T-60 and this caused problems with mobility. Reliability in mud or deep snow was poor and the vehicle frequently became bogged in poor ground conditions. In September 1942, improvements were made to improve the vehicles mobility and strengthened running gear was installed. This included the introduction of wider tracks, improved road wheels, return rollers, drive wheels and driveshafts. Again, as with the T-60, the vehicles main failing was its two man crew, with the commnader doubling as the gunner, which again seriously reduced its combat efficiency. Production ended in 1943 but the vehicle remained in service until the latter stages of the campaign.
Armour: 13mm
Weight: 11 tons.
Armament: 45mm M1932 gun (112 rounds) and 1 x 7.62mm Mg.
Speed: 65kmh (40mph) on road, 49kmh (31mph) cross country.
Range: 90km (55 miles) on road, 67km (42 miles) cross country.
Crew: 3, commander, driver and gunner.
The BT series of vehicles were based on the American Christie suspension which revolutionised Russian tank design in the 1930's. This unique system could be used with the tracks removed and run on just the road wheels. Used in this fashion the vehicles speed could be increased to 112kmh (70mph) on roads and also improved the performance of tracks which were blighted by a short running life. The BT-5 entered production in 1932 and was an improved version of the earlier BT-1 and BT-2 types. It had a larger turret and more powerful engine than its predecessors.
Armour: 22mm
Weight: 13.5 tons.
Armament: 45mm Model 35 gun (146 rounds) and 1 x 7.62mm DT Mg.
Speed: 72kmh (45mph) on road, 49kmh (31mph) cross country.
Range: 430km (265 miles) on road, 248km (155 miles) cross country.
Crew: 3, commander, driver and gunner.
The BT-7 was introduced in 1936 following combat experience
gained at the battle of Khalin Gol. An improved version of the BT-5, it
featured a new and more powerful engine with an
improved gearbox and new clutch. It was also fitted with a new turret
and thicker armor which was of an all welded construction. In 1937 a new,
conical shaped turret was introduced. This increased the room for the
crew and for additional ammunition storage. At the same time the BT-7A
was introduced. This variant was fitted with a short barreled 76.2mm KT
gun. In 1940 the final variant was introduced, the BT-7M. This vehicle
had its armour protection increased to 30mm. Although production of the
BT-7 vehicles ended in 1940 they remained in service throughout the campaign.
