BT-3 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank)

USSRs BT-3 Fast Tank

USSRs BT-3 Fast Tank

USSRs BT-3 Fast Tank

USSRs BT-3 Fast Tank

Had solid disc wheels with a 45 mm gun1.3 Few produced. In 1937 a bridgelaying version was built.

Steering on wheels was by a wheel that controlled the front wheels.2 On tracks, it was steered by the clutch and brake.2

BT-3 Bridge Laying:

USSRs BT-3 Bridge-Laying Fast Tank

  BT-3
Crew 32
Physical Characteristics  
Weight 10.2 tons2
Length w/gun 18'2
Length w/o gun  
Height 7.25'2
Width 7.33'2
Width over tracks  
Ground clearance Wheels: 9"2
Tracks: 10.5"2
Ground contact length 12'2
Ground pressure 8.96 psi2
Turret ring diameter  
Armament  
Main 45 mm L/462
45 mm3
Secondary  
MG 7.62 mm DTMG2
Side arms  
Quantity  
Main 962
Secondary  
MG 2,7092
Side arms  
Armor Thickness (mm)  
Hull Front, Upper 132
Hull Front, Lower  
Hull Sides, Upper 10 - 132
Hull Sides, Lower  
Hull Rear 102
Hull Top 6 - 102
Hull Bottom 6 - 102
Turret Front 132
Turret Sides 132
Turret Rear 132
Turret Top 102
Engine (Make / Model) Liberty Aero2
Bore / stroke  
Cooling Water2
Cylinders V-122
Net HP 343 - 400@2,000 rpm2
Power to weight ratio 34.3 hp/ton2
Compress ratio  
Transmission (Type) Wheels: Chain drive2
Tracks: Sliding Gear2
Steering  
Steering ratio  
Starter  
Electrical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type) Gasoline2
Octane  
Quantity 88 gallons2
Road consumption  
Cross country consumption  
Performance  
Traverse 360°2
Max speed Wheels: 69 mph2
Cross country speed Tracks: 39 mph2
Road radius Wheels: 187 miles2
Cross country radius Tracks: 125 miles2
Turning radius 40'2
Elevation limits -4° to +40°2
Fording depth 3.98'2
Trench crossing 6.85'2
Vertical obstacle Wheels: 8"2
Tracks: 29.8"2
Climbing ability  
Suspension (Type) Christie independent type2
Wheels each side 42
Return rollers each side  
Tires (Type)  
Length  
Width Tire: 2 x 3.95"2
Track: 10.25"2
Diameter 32.5"2
Number of links  
Pitch  
Tire tread  
Track centers/tread 6.33'2
Production  

Sources:

  1. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  2. Profile AFV Weapons 37 Russian BT Series, John F. Milsom, 1971
  3. The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006
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