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:

Soviet T-37 Light Amphibious Tank
T-378

Soviet T-37 Amphibious Light Tank
T-378

Based on the Vickers Carden-Lloyd.

Communicated via flags.8

T-37A Light Tank:

Russia's T-37 Light Tank
T-37A

Russia's T-37 Light Tank
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:

  1. Russian Tanks of World War II Stalin's Armored Might, by Tim Bean & Will Fowler, 2002
  2. Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917-1945, by Wolfgang Fleischer, 1999
  3. 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
  4. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  5. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  6. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  7. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  8. Russian Tanks 1900-1970, The Complete Illustrated History of Soviet Armoured Theory and Design, John Milsom, 1970
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