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Soviet Union's T-38 light tank
T-38 light tank: |
Design
The T-38 was an improved design of the T-37, and was developed at Zavod Nr 37.1
The turret was moved to the left side and the driver on the right. Friction couplings were added to transmit power to the tracks. A new running gear suspension was installed that helped provide a vibration free driving.
The hull was redesigned which gave the T-38 a lower profile and less weight.1 Wider tracks for the T-38 also improved handling.1
Prototype
In the prototype a 20 mm SchWak gun was installed and was intended to be operated by the driver but this was dropped due to cramped conditions inside the fighting compartment.
In 1935 the prototype was constructed in Factory No. 37 in Moscow.6
Production
- T-38: 1,3001,4
- Production: 1936 - 19394,6, 1937 - 19391
- Manufacturer: Factory No. 37 in Moscow6
- T-38M2:
- Production ? - 19386
- T-38TM:
- Prototype: 19406
Variants
- T-38:
- T-38-M2: In 1938 improvements were made to the gearbox and the engine was replaced with a GAZ M1 / GAZ N-12.2,6
- T-38TU: Command version with extra antenna.
- T-38TM: Experimental.6 Longer chassis.6
Usage
During the 1936 peace maneuvers the tanks were installed under the tails of TB-3 bombers and landed during air landing exercises.1
Infantry-tank battalions were issued 38 each.2 Airborne armored battalions were supposed to issued 50 each.2
Based on experience in Finland, in 1940 experiments were carried out with the T-38 being a guide for a radio controlled T-26 explosives carrier. However this never got beyond prototype stages.
Some were used as immobile gun positions during the German invasion.
Captured in the Winter War
T-38s used in the Winter War with Finland. Many were captured in 1941 and turned over to the Luftwaffe and used in the defense of airfields.
| T-38 | T-38 M2 | T-38 19371 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver 22,3,4,6 |
22,6 | 21 |
| Physical Characteristics | |||
| Weight | 7,230 lb, 7,275 lb4 3.28 tons3,6, 3.3 tons2 3,300 kg4 |
3.8 tons2,6 | 3.28 tons1 3,332 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 12' 4.8"4, 13' 3.5", 12.35'3,6 3.75 m2, 3.78 m4 |
12.35'6 3.75 m2 |
3.76 mm1 12' 4"1 |
| Length w/o gun | |||
| Height | 5' 4.2"4, 5.33'3,6 1.63 m2,4 |
5.15'6 1.63 m2 |
1.62 m1 5' 4"1 |
| Width | 8' 3", 7.65'3,6, 10' 11.1"4 2.33 m2, 3.33 m4 |
7.65'6 2.33 m2 |
1.95 m1 6' 5"1 |
| Ground clearance | 0.3 m2 | 0.3 m2 | |
| Ground contact length | 5.33'6 | 5.15'6 | |
| Ground pressure | 0.55 kp/(cm2)2 | 0.55 kp/(cm2)2 | |
| Turret ring diameter | |||
| Armament | |||
| Main | 7.62 mm DT MG2,4,6 7.62 mm MG3 |
1: 7.62 mm DT MG2,6 | 7.62 mm MG1 |
| OR | 20 mm ShVAK4 | ||
| Secondary | |||
| MG | |||
| Side arms | |||
| Quantity | |||
| Main | 1,5122,6 | 1,5122,6 | |
| Secondary | |||
| MG | |||
| Side arms | |||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 4 - 93 | 0.39"1 101 |
|
| Hull Front, Upper | 6.5, 92, 9.56 | 92, 9.56 | |
| Hull Front, Lower | 92 | 92 | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 92,6 | 92,6 | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 92 | 92 | |
| Hull Rear | 92 | 92 | |
| Hull Top | 46, 62 | 46, 62 | |
| Hull Bottom | 42,6 | 42,6 | |
| Turret Front | 4 - 66, 92 | 4 - 66, 92 | |
| Turret Sides | 92 | 92 | |
| Turret Rear | 92 | 92 | |
| Turret Top | 62 | 62 | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | GAZ-AA2,4,6 | GAZ N 12, GAZ MI6 | |
| OR | GAZ M-14 | ||
| Bore / stroke | 4 stroke2 | 4 stroke2 | |
| Cylinders | 42,6 | 42,6 | |
| Net HP | 40 - 503, 404,6, 40@2,200 rpm2 | 506, 50@2,800 rpm2 | |
| Power to weight ratio | 12.1 HP/ton2 | 13.2 HP/ton2 | |
| Transmission | |||
| Fuel type | Gasoline3,4,6 | Gasoline6 | |
| Octane | |||
| Capacity | 100 liters2 | 100 liters2 | |
| Performance | |||
| Traverse | 360° | ||
| Max speed | 24.9 mph4, 28 mph6, 28 - 40 mph3 40 kph2,4 |
40 mph6 46 kph2 |
40 kph1 25 mph1 |
| Max speed - water | 3.7 mph, 6 kph2 | 6 kph2 | |
| Cross country speed | 15.5 mph | ||
| Road radius | 105.6 miles4, 155.7 miles, 156 miles6 170 km4, 230 km2 |
160 miles6 230 km2 |
150 km1 93 miles1 |
| Water radius | 12 hours | ||
| Turning Radius | |||
| Elevation Limits | |||
| Fording depth | Amphibious2 | Amphibious2 | |
| Trench crossing | 1.6 m2 | 1.6 m2 | |
| Vertical Obstacle | 0.5 m2 | 0.5 m2 | |
| Climbing ability | 40°2 | 40°2 | |
| Suspension (Type) | |||
| Wheels each side | |||
| Return rollers each side | |||
| Track length | |||
| Tires | |||
| Track width | 7.5"6 | 7.5"6 | |
| Track centers/tread |
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
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- -
- Airfix Magazine Guide 22 Russian Tanks of World War 2, John Milsom and Steve Zaloga, 1977
