BT-7 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank)

Early BT-7
Russia's BT-7

Went into production in 1935.7

In September 1936, during maneuvers in Byelorussia, British General Wavell and Colonel Martel saw the tank.7 Martel wrote: "The design of the fighting body is not very good but the performance of the machine is at least twice as good as the A9."7 He further suggested that the British War Office purchase one.7

Used conical turret with MG in rear.10

Had new Saslavsky brakes, new main clutch, new turret, thicker armor, and all welded10. New engine10 with an improved gearbox10 with 3 forward gears. Used a control stick for steering.

In 1938 an improved gun sighting system was installed.

Used by the 2nd Mechanised Brigade at Lake Hasan against the Japanese in 1938.9 The 6th and 11th Tank Brigades had 400 BT-7s and BT-5s, and fought against the Japanese at the Khalkin Gol River from May to August 1939.9

Used during the invasion of Poland in 1939 and in Finland in 1939-1940.7

BT-7-1:

USSRs BT-7-1 Fast Tank

USSRs BT-7-1 Fast Tank

Cylindrical turret from the BT-5.7

BT-7-2:

USSRs' BT-7-2 Medium Tank

USSRs' BT-7-2 Medium Tank

USSRs' BT-7-2 Medium Tank

Training turret:

Training turret at Stalin Military Academy:

Conical turret with twin horn periscopes.7 Had 2 round hatches on the turret room and was nicknamed "Mickey Mouse" by the Germans.

BT-7-1(U), BT-7-1(V)10:

USSRs BT-7-1(v) Fast Tank

USSRs BT-7-1(v) Fast Tank

USSRs BT-7-1(v) Fast Tank

Command tank.10 Carried 132-146 shells. Had a 71-TK radio set installed. The cylindrical turrets had a wrap around antenna, whereas the conical turrets had a rod antenna.

OP-7:

Flame thrower installed. Apparently didn't reach the front lines.

BT-7A:

BT-7A
Russia's BT-7A

Had short barreled 76.2 mm gun installed. Carried 40 shells if it had a radio, and 50 if it didn't.

BT-7M10, BT-8:

BT-7M
Russia's BT-7M

Sometimes known as the BT-8.7 Was a major redesign in 1939. It had a sloping front glacis instead of the previous pointed noses.7 Had a diesel engine installed.10 Hull MG was placed next to the driver.7 Used at Khalkin-Gol and in Finland.7

  BT-7 (1936 model) BT-7-1 BT-7-1V BT-7-2 BT-7A BT-7M (1939 model) also known as BT-8 BT-IS
Crew 31,2,3,4,5,10 38 38 38 38 32,8 38
Physical Characteristics              
Weight 30,450 lb
13.68 tons1, 13.7 tons10, 13.8 tons2,4,6, 14 tons5
13,900 kg1,10
13.8 tons8 13.6 tons8 13.8 tons8 13.8 tons8 32,300 lb,
14.4-14.5 tons2, 14.6 tons7, 14.65 tons2,8
15.6 tons8
Length w/gun 18', 18' 7"1,10, 18' 8"3,7, 18.65'4, 20' 0.5"

5.68 m3, 5.66 m1,2,5,6,10, 6.8 m5
18.658 18.658 18.658 18.658 18.65'8, 20' 0.5",
5.66 m2
18.988
Length w/o gun              
Height 7' 6"3,7, 7.5'4, 7' 11"1,10, 7' 11.3"5, 8' 7"
2.28 m3, 2.41 m10, 2.42 m1,2,5,6
7.5'8 7.5'8 7.5'8 7.5'8 7.5'8, 8' 0.75",
2.42 m2
7.5'8
Width 7'3, , 7' 6"1,5, 7' 11.5"10, 7.98'4, 8'7, 8' 7"
2.23 m6, 2.29 m1,2,5, 2.43 m3,10
7.988 7.988 7.988 7.988 7.98'8, 8' 7",
2.29 m2
7.58
Width over tracks              
Ground clearance 1' 2",
4-4.2 m2
Wheels: 10.5"8
Tracks: 12"8
Wheels: 10.5"8
Tracks: 12"8
Wheels: 10.5"8
Tracks: 12"8
12"8 0.35 m2
Wheels: 10.5"8
Tracks: 12"8
Wheels: 10.5"8
Tracks: 12"8
Ground contact length   12'8 12'8 12'8 12'8 12'8 12'8
Ground pressure 11.24 psi,
0.75 kp/(cm2)2
10.2 psi8 10.2 psi8 10.2 psi8 10.2 psi8 10.4 psi8
0.78 kp/(cm2)2
11 psi8
Turret ring diameter              
Armament              
Main 45 mm4,5,10
45 mm M-323
45 mm 19342
45 mm 1934 L/46, 45 mm1
45 mm L/468 45 mm L/468 45 mm L/468 76.2 mm L/16.58 76.2 mm5
76.2 mm, or
45 mm 19382
76.2 mm L/268
45 mm L/468
Secondary              
MG 2: MG4
2 or 3: 7.62 mm DT, coaxial, hull2
2: 7.62 mm DT MG3,10
2: 7.62 mm MG1,5
2: 7.62 mm DTMG8 2: 7.62 mm DTMG8 2: 7.62 mm DTMG8 7.62 mm DTMG8 3: 7.62 mm DT, coaxial, rear turret2 2: 7.62 mm DTMG8
Side arms              
Quantity              
Main 132-1882 1728 1888 With radio: 1468
Without radio: 1888
1328 408 1328
Secondary              
MG 2,3942 2,3948 2,3948 2,3948 2,3948 2,3942 2,3948
Side arms              
Armor Thickness (mm) 10 - 225
6 - 223,4
227,10
Turret: 157
Front: 206
Side: 156
           
Hull Front, Upper 13- 22, 222 228 228 228 228 30, 222,8 308
Hull Front, Lower 13, 222         222  
Hull Sides, Upper 132 138 138 138 138 132,8 158
Hull Sides, Lower 132         132  
Hull Rear 132 138 138 138 138 132,8 138
Hull Top 102 6 - 108 6 - 108 6 - 108 6 - 108 6 - 108
102
6 - 108
Hull Bottom 12, 6-102 6 - 108 6 - 108 6 - 108 6 - 108 6-102,8 6 - 108
Turret Front 152 138 138 158 158 152,8 308
Turret Sides 152 138 138 158 158 152,8 208
Turret Rear 152 138 138 158 158 152,8 158
Turret Top 10, 152 108 108 108 108 108, 152 108
Engine (Make / Model) M-15 T2,3,10
M-17T5,7
MT-17T Liberty modified Aero8 MT-17T Liberty modified Aero8 MT-17T Liberty modified Aero8 MT-17T Liberty modified Aero8 W-22
V-28
V-28
Bore / stroke   120 mm8 / 146 mm8 120 mm8 / 146 mm8 120 mm8 / 146 mm8 120 mm8 / 146 mm8 150 mm8 / 187.7 mm8 150 mm8 / 187.7 mm8
Cooling   Water8 Water8 Water8 Water8 Water8 Water8
Cylinders V-125,10 V-128 V-128 V-128 V-128 V-128 V-128
Capacity              
Net HP 4504,6,7,10
5005
450@1,750 rpm8 450@1,750 rpm8 450@1,750 rpm8 450@1,750 rpm8 500@2,200 rpm8 500@2,200 rpm8
Power to weight ratio   32.6 hp/ton8 32.6 hp/ton8 32.6 hp/ton8 32.6 hp/ton8 35 hp/ton8 32 hp/ton8
Compression ratio              
Transmission (Type) 3 forward, 1 reverse Wheels: Chain drive8
Tracks: Sliding gear8
Wheels: Chain drive8
Tracks: Sliding gear8
Wheels: Chain drive8
Tracks: Sliding gear8
Wheels: Chain drive8
Tracks: Sliding gear8
Wheels: Chain drive8
Tracks: Sliding gear8
Wheels: Chain drive8
Tracks: Sliding gear8
Steering              
Steering ratio              
Starter              
Electrical system              
Ignition              
Fuel (Type) Gasoline4,5,10 Gasoline8 Gasoline8 Gasoline8 Gasoline8 Diesel8 Diesel8
Octane              
Quantity 167 gallons,
790 liters2
174 gallons8 174 gallons8 174 gallons8 174 gallons8 174 gallons8 174 gallons8
Road consumption              
Cross country consumption              
Performance              
Traverse 360° 360°8 360°8 360°8 360°8 360° 360°8
Max speed 53.4 mph3,5, 46 mph, 45 mph1,4
50 kph6, 72 kph1, 86 kph3,5
Tracks: 33 mph7, 45 mph10, 53 kph2, 72 kph10
Wheels: 45 mph7, 70 mph10, 73 kph2, 112 kph10
Wheels: 45.6 mph8 Wheels: 45.6 mph8 Wheels: 45.6 mph8 40 mph8 40 mph
Tracks: 62 kpm2
Wheels: 54 mph8 86 kph2
Wheels: 70 mph8
Cross country speed 31 mph Tracks: 33 mph8 Tracks: 33 mph8 Tracks: 33 mph8 33 mph8 31 mph, 39 mph8 Tracks: 40 mph8
Road radius 155 miles3,5, 311 miles, 265 miles1
250 km3,5, 430 km1
Tracks: 249 miles10, 375 km2, 400 km10
Wheels: 311 miles10, 500 km2,10
Wheels: 310 miles8 Wheels: 310 miles8 Wheels: 310 miles8 280 miles8 435 miles
Tracks: 600 km2
Wheels: 440 miles8, 700 km2
Wheels: 430 miles8
Cross country radius   Tracks: 220 miles8 Tracks: 220 miles8 Tracks: 220 miles8 220 miles8 Tracks: 375 miels8 Tracks: 370 miles8
Turning radius 20' 6" 40'8 40'8 40'8 40'8 40'8 40'8
Elevation limits   -4° to +40°8 -4° to +40°8 -4° to +40°8 -4° to +60°8 -10° to +40°8 -10° to +40°8
Fording depth 4'5
1.2 m2, 1.22 m5
3.98'8 3.98'8 3.98'8 3.98'8 3.25'8
1.2 m2
3.25'8
Trench crossing 6'5, 6' 7",
1.83 m5, 2 m2
6'8 6'8 6'8 6'8 6.85'8
2 m2
6.85'8
Vertical obstacle 1' 10", 2' 6"5,
0.55 m2, 0.76 m5
Wheels: 8"8
Tracks: 30"8
Wheels: 8"8
Tracks: 30"8
Wheels: 8"8
Tracks: 30"8
30"8 0.55 m2
Wheels: 8"8
Tracks: 308
Wheels: 8"8
Tracks: 30"8
Climbing ability              
Suspension (Type) Christie Christie Independent type8 Christie Independent type8 Christie Independent type8 Christie Independent type8   Christie Independent type8
Wheels each side 4 48 48 48 48   48
Return rollers each side              
Tracks (Type)              
Length              
Width 10" Tire: 2 x 3.95"8
Track: 10.25"8
Tire: 2 x 3.95"8
Track: 10.25"8
Tire: 2 x 3.95"8
Track: 10.25"8
Tire: 2 x 3.95"8
Track: 10.25"8
Tire: 2 x 3.95"8
Track: 10.25"8
Tire: 2 x 3.95"8
Track: 10.25"8
Diameter   32.5"8 32.5"8 32.5"8 32.5"8 32.5"8 32.5"8
Number of links              
Pitch              
Tire tread              
Track centers/tread   6.33'8 6.33'8 6.33'8 6.33'8 6.338 6.33'8
Production 1935- : 2,000         1938-1940: 706
M: 1940: 7062
 

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. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  5. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  6. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  7. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  8. Profile AFV Weapons 37 Russian BT Series, John F. Milsom, 1971
  9. Russian Armour Volume 2: Light Tank T-27, T-38, BT, T-26, T-40, T-50, T-60, T-70, Mikhail Baryatinskiy, 2006
  10. The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006
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