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Soviet Union's MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, and T-18 light infantry tanks

MS-1 45 mm
Soviet MS-1 Light Infantry Tank
MS-1 light tank3
Soviet MS-1 Light Infantry Tank
MS-2 light tank3:
Soviet MS-2 Light Infantry Tank
MS-3 light tank3:
Soviet MS-3 Light Infantry Tank
T-18M light infantry tank:
Soviet Union's T-18 light infantry tank
T-18M light infantry tank:
Soviet Union's T-18 Light Tank
   

Design

After a special Tank Bureau was formed on May 6, 1924, a specification for a light tank was given. It was to weigh 3,000 kg, have a speed of 7.5 mph, 16 mm of armor, 37 mm gun, and with a crew of 2. During early 1925 the Red Army staff reviewed the specification and increased it to 5,000 kg.

It used rubber tired bogies.4 The engine was mounted traversely to save length and thus weight.4

Communication was by flag.3

Field Tests

During tests in 1929 it was found that the T-18 had difficulties crossing trenches.5 The commander of the Leningrad Region Armored Force had another tail added to the front of the T-18 which resulted in it receiving the nickname Nosorog (Rhinoceros).5

Prototype

The first prototype was called the T-16 and was finished in May 1927.5 Improvements to the engine and the length were completed in November 1927 and this was designated the T-18.5 The Revolutionary Military Council accepted the T-18 as a standard on July 6, 1927, even before testing was completed. It was called the Maliy Soprovozdieniya - Small Accompanying - One (MS-1).

Production

An order for 108 T-18s was placed by the Red Army to be built from 1928 to 1929.5 The first 30 were available for the November 7, 1929, Revolution parade in Moscow and Leningrad.5 Ball bearings and carburetors had to be imported as there weren't Soviet factories to produce those components.5

The MS-1 was produced at the Leningrad Bolshevik plant starting in 1928. This was the first Russian tank to be put into serial production.

Variants

Usage

It was withdrawn from service in 1932 and given to the Ossoaviakhim, which as the military training organization.

After the Germans invaded Russia, approximately 200 MS-1s were converted into T-18Ms mounting 45 mm guns.

Against China

MS saw combat Kiev-Voronezh and Chinese Eastern Railway in 1929.4

T-18s saw action against the Chinese in border clashes in 1929.5 In one particular action around Dzhalaynor Station, Russian infantry advanced behind T-18s with some success as the tanks were handled skillfully by their crews.5 A later attack wasn't as successful as the T-18s were unable to cross an anti-tank ditch.5

    MS-14
(T-184)
MS-1, MS-2, MS-3, MS-3A3 MS-III, MS-35
Crew 2 22 23 21,5
Physical Characteristics        
Weight 12,125 - 14,770 lb
5,500 - 6,700 kg
5.4 tons2
6.3 tons4
5.4 - 6.7 tons3 5,410 kg1, 5,500 kg5
5.32 tons1, 5.41 tons5
Length w/gun w/tail: 14' 4" 11.8'2
4.38 m4
11.8'3
With tail: 14.3'3
11' 6"1,5
3.5 m1,5
Length w/o gun     11.8'3
With tail: 14.3'3
 
Height   6.9'2
2.12 m4
6.9'3 6' 11"1,5
2.12 m1,5
Width   5.75'2
1.76 m4
5.75'3 5' 9"1,5
1.76 m1,5
Width over tracks     5.7'3  
Ground clearance     15.5'3  
Ground contact length     8'3  
Ground pressure 4.76 psi   6.1 - 6.5 psi3  
Turret ring diameter        
Armament        
Main   37 mm2,4 37 mm Puteaux A/Tk3 37 mm5
37 mm Model 19161,5
Secondary        
MG 7.62 Fiodorov or Degtarov MG MG2
7.62 mm MG4
1 or 2: 7.62 mm Hotchkiss MG3 1: MG5
2: MG5
2: 7.62 mm Hotchkiss MG1
Side arms        
Quantity        
Main 109 2504 2503  
Secondary        
MG 2,016 3,0004 3,0003  
Side arms        
Armor Thickness (mm)   6 - 222, 8 - 164 Turret: 8 - 223 6 - 221, 165
0.62"5
Hull Front, Upper     163  
Hull Front, Lower        
Hull Sides, Upper     83  
Hull Sides, Lower        
Hull Rear     83  
Hull Top     63  
Hull Bottom     63  
Turret Front 16      
Turret Sides        
Turret Rear        
Turret Top        
Engine (Make / Model)     Fiat Transverse3 Fiat1
Bore / stroke        
Cooling     MS-1: Water3
MS-2, MS-3, MS-3A: Air3
 
Cylinders   Inline 44 4 or 63 65
Capacity        
Net HP   352, 404 35 - 40@1,500 rpm3 655
Power to weight ratio     6.5 - 63  
Compression ratio        
Transmission (Type)     Sliding gear3
4 forward, 1 reverse3
 
Steering     Simple differential, manual3  
Steering ratio        
Starter        
Electrical system        
Ignition        
Fuel (Type)   Gasoline2    
Octane        
Quantity   90 liters4 19.85 gallons3  
Road consumption        
Cross country consumption        
Performance        
Traverse 360°   360°3  
Max speed 10.3 - 13.8 mph 10.6 mph2
22 kph4
10.6 - 14 mph3 9.9 mph1, 10 mph5
16 kph1,5
Cross country speed     8 mph3  
Road radius 37.5 - 41.3 miles 110 km4 37.5 - 68 miles3 31 miles5, 37.3 miles1, 38 miles5
50 km5, 60 km1,5
Cross country radius     20 - 40 miles3  
Turning radius     Pivots3  
Elevation limits     -10° to +30°3  
Fording depth   0.7 m4 2.35'3  
Trench crossing 4' 3" 1.3 m4 4.25'3  
Vertical obstacle 1' 10" 0.6 m4 1.9'3  
Climbing ability   35°4 35°3  
Suspension (Type)     Vertical helical springs3  
Wheels each side        
Return rollers each side        
Tracks (Type)     Skeleton, cast double spud 3  
Length        
Width     11.8"3  
Diameter        
Number of links     543  
Pitch     5.9"3  
Tire tread        
Track centers/tread     4.7'3  

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  3. Russian Tanks 1900-1970, The Complete Illustrated History of Soviet Armoured Theory and Design, John Milsom, 1970
  4. Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917 - 1945, Wolfgang Fleischer, 1999
  5. Russian Tanks of World War II, Stalin's Armored Might, Tim Bean, Will Fowler, 2002
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