T-37 Light Tanks
The Carden-Lloyd amphibian tanks (A4E11) arrived in 1931. Engineers at Factory No. 37, directed by N. A. Astrov, developed several prototypes. It was called the "Morskoi 33" or "Malyi Tank 33" (T-33). It's performance in water wasn't acceptable and a new design appeared in 1932 called the T-41. It to turned out to be unacceptable and in 1933 another model was developed and it was the T-37. On August 11, 1933, it was accepted by the Red Army after trials. Another group of designers led by N. N. Koziryev also designed a variant, the T-37A. Mass production started in late 1933.
Production ended in 1938.7
It had the turret mounted on the right side and the tracks were improved. A ship's propeller was added that allowed for the vehicle to move backwards as well as forwards in the water. Late models had a cupola for the commander.
In 1935 several models were transported by air by TB-1 and TB-3 bombers. These were used in the occupation of Bessarabia in 1940.
They were issued to armored reconnaissance units and tank battalions of infantry and cavalry units.
These were used against Finland in the winter of 1939-1940 and against the Germans in 1941.
T-37 Light Tank:
T-378
T-378
Based on the Vickers Carden-Lloyd.
Communicated via flags.8
T-37A Light Tank:
T-37A
T-37A
These were a little longer and had floats attached on both sides.
Communicated by flags.8
T-37U Light Tank, T-37TU Light Tank:
Tank commanders with hand-rail aerial around hull.
| T-37 (3-2T) Light Tank8 | T-37 Light Tank | T-37A Light Tank | T-37 1934 Light Tank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 28 | Commander, driver 23,4,5,6,7,8 |
22 | 21 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||||
| Weight | 3.18 tons8 | 7,055 lb6 3,000 kg6, 3,200 kg3 3 tons7, 3.15 tons3, 3.5 tons4,5,8 |
3.2 tons2, 3.9 tons8 | 3.15 tons1 3,200 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 12.26'8 | 12' 3.6"6, 12.25'5, 12.26'8, 12' 3"3, 3.75 m3,4,6 |
12.26'8 3.75 m2 |
3.75 m1 12' 4"1 |
| Length w/o gun | 12.26'8 | 12.26'8 | 12.26'8 | |
| Height | 5.5'8 | 5' 11.7"6, 5.5'5, 5'6"3, 5.91'8 1.82 m3,4,6 |
5.91'8 1.82 m2 |
1.82 m1 5' 11"1 |
| Width | 6.51'8 | 6' 10.7"6, 6.5'5, 6.51'8, 6' 11"3, 2 m4, 2.1 m3,6 |
6.51'8 2 m2 |
2.07 m1, 6' 7"1 |
| Width over tracks | 6.5'8 | 6.5'8 | 6.5'8 | |
| Ground clearance | 11.8"8 | 11.8"8, 1' 0.3 m4 |
11.8"8 0.3 m2 |
|
| Ground contact length | 5.15'8 | 5.15'8 | 5.15'8 | |
| Ground pressure | 7.5 psi8 | 7.54 psi, 7.83 psi8 0.53 (kg/cm2)4 |
9.48 psi8 0.55 (kg/cm2)2 |
|
| Turret ring diameter | ||||
| Armament | ||||
| Main | 7.62 mm DT MG8 | 7.62 mm MG5,6,7 MG4 7.62 mm DT MG2,3,8 OR 12.7 mm DShK8 |
7.62 mm DT MG8 OR 12.7 mm DShK8 |
7.62 mm MG1 |
| Secondary | ||||
| MG | ||||
| Side arms | ||||
| Quantity | ||||
| Main | 5858 | 5852,4 | 5858 | |
| Secondary | ||||
| MG | ||||
| Side arms | ||||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Turret: 4 - 68 | 4 - 95 3 - 96 Turret: 4 - 68 |
Turret: 4-68 | |
| Hull Front, Upper | 9.58 | 43, 9.58, 104 | 92, 108 | |
| Hull Front, Lower | 92 | |||
| Hull Sides, Upper | 78 | 78, 104 | 92, 108 | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 92 | |||
| Hull Rear | 68 | 54, 68 | 68, 92 | |
| Hull Top | 48 | 48, 5-74 | 48, 62 | |
| Hull Bottom | 48 | 48, 54 | 5 - 78, 62 | |
| Turret Front | 93, 104 | 92 | ||
| Turret Sides | 104 | 92 | ||
| Turret Rear | 104 | 92 | ||
| Turret Top | 54 | 62 | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | GAZ (Ford) AA8 | GAZ AA2,3,6 GAZ (Ford) AA8 |
GAZ (Ford) AA8 | |
| Bore / stroke | ||||
| Cooling | Water8 | Water4,8 | Water8 | |
| Cylinders | 48 | 44,8 | 48 | |
| Capacity | ||||
| Net HP | 40@3,000 rpm8 | 40@2,200 rpm4 405,6,7 65@2,200 rpm8 |
65@2,200 rpm8 | |
| Power to weight ratio | 12.558 | 18.58 | 17.98 | |
| Compression ratio | ||||
| Transmission (Type) | Epicyclic8 4 forward, 1 reverse8 |
Epicyclic8 4 forward, 1 reverse4,8 |
Epicyclic8 4 forward, 1 reverse8 |
|
| Steering | Simple differential8 | Simple differential8 | Simple differential8 | |
| Steering ratio | ||||
| Starter | ||||
| Electrical system | ||||
| Ignition | ||||
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline8 | Gasoline4,5,6 | ||
| Octane | ||||
| Quantity | 24 gallons8 | 22 gallons8, 27 gallons 100 liters2,4 |
22 gallons8 | |
| Road consumption | ||||
| Cross country consumption | ||||
| Performance | ||||
| Traverse | 360°8 | 360°8 | 360°8 | |
| Max speed | 26 mph8 | 20 mph5, 21.8 mph, 22 mph7, 35 mph6, 40 mph8 35 mph3, 35.5 kph4, 56.3 kph3,6 Water: 2.5 mph8, 4 mph7 |
40 mph8 36 kpm2 Water:2.5 mph8, 4-6 kph2 |
35 kph1 21 mph1 |
| Cross country speed | 12 mph8 | 15.5 mph, 20 mph8 | 20 mph8 | |
| Road radius | 153 miles8 | 115 miles3,6, 143 miles8 185 km3,4,6 water: 12 hours |
115 miles8 230 km2 |
185 km1 115 miles1 |
| Cross country radius | 72 miles8 | 64 miles8 115 km4 |
60 miles8 | |
| Turning radius | 19.6'8 | 17' 6", 19.6'8 5.3 m4 |
19.6'8 | |
| Elevation limits | -5° to +5°8 | -5° to +5°8 | -5° to +5°8 | |
| Fording depth | Amphibious8 | Amphibious2,8 1.2 m4 |
Amphibious8 | |
| Trench crossing | 5.25'8 | 5.25'8 | 5.25'8 1.6 m2 |
|
| Vertical obstacle | 1.6'8 | 1.6'8, 1' 7" | 1.6'8 | |
| Climbing ability | 30° - 40°8 | 30° - 40°8 | 30° - 40°8 | |
| Suspension (Type) | Horstmann (modified)8 | Coil spring4,8 | Coil spring8 | |
| Wheels each side | 48 | 44,8 | 48 | |
| Return rollers each side | 2 | |||
| Tracks (Type) | Drop forged8 | Drop forged8 | Drop forged8 | |
| Length | ||||
| Width | 8.26"8 | 8", 8.26"8 210 mm4 |
8.26"8 | |
| Diameter | ||||
| Number of links | 908 | 908 | 908 | |
| Pitch | 3.5"8 | 3.5"8 | 3.5"8 | |
| Tire tread | ||||
| Track centers/tread | 5.5'8 | 5.5'8 | 5.5'8 | |
| Production | 1933-36 : 1,200 |
Sources:
- Russian Tanks of World War II Stalin's Armored Might, by Tim Bean & Will Fowler, 2002
- Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917-1945, by Wolfgang Fleischer, 1999
- 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
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Russian Tanks 1900-1970, The Complete Illustrated History of Soviet Armoured Theory and Design, John Milsom, 1970
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