T-28 Medium

Autumn of 1941

In the early 1930s development started on Russia's first medium tank. Several prototypes (T-12, T-24, and TG) were found to be substandard for production.

In 1931 the T-28 was designed by S.A. Ginsburg at the Leningrad "Bolshevik" Machine Factory. This was based on the design of the British A6E1, however, this tank was still secret so some have surmised that information on it was obtained through espionage. The T-28 was intended to break through fortified defensive zones and for exploitation by mechanized brigades.

Testing was carried out in 1932.⁸ The prototypes had a 45 mm gun installed, with 2 smaller turrets with 7.62 mm DT MGs. The driver was positioned between the two auxiliary turrets.⁸

There were five 4-wheeled bogies on each side with a single pair at the front and the back.⁸ They were on coil springs without shock absorbers.⁸

During development a 76.2 mm 1927/32 tank gun was installed in a larger turret that had a rear extension. This was adopted by the Red Army on August 11, 1933.

A 71-TK-1 radio set was installed until 1935 when it was replaced by the 71-TK-2 model.

Smoke emitters were installed. In late production vehicles a device, designed by A. A. Prokofiev, was installed to help stabilize the main armament.

Production continued until 1939.⁸

First seen at the May Day parade in Moscow in 1933.

Heavy armored brigades had 136 and 47 BTs in them. The 5th Heavy Tank Brigade had 62 T-35s and 32 T-28s.

First used in the occupation of Ukraine and White Russia in September 1939. Next was used in Finland at Karelia in 1939-1940. Here its thin armor became its biggest weakness. Several were captured by Finland. They were also used against the Japanese in 1939.

Mass production stopped after the cessation of the Russio-Finish War, and was replaced by the T-34.

T-28A (1932):

Had thicker armor.

T-28(V):

Commander's version with frame aerial around turret.

T-28B (E, 1938):

Produced starting in 1938. Longer L/26 gun⁷, turret basket, and better vision for the driver.

T-28C (M, 1940):

Extensive modifications. Thicker armor with 80 mm in front and 40 mm in rear. Saw action in 1940 when the Mannerheim Line was penetrated.

OT-28:

Flame-thrower version.

IT-28:

Bridgelayer version that used the chassis of a T-28E and had a crew of 5 and kept the MG turrets. Appeared in 1938-39. The metal bridge was 13 meters long and had a weight limit of 50 tons. It could be unloaded in 3 minutes. Were used in the Winter War with Finland in 1939-1940.

SU-8:

Prototype with a 152.4 mm coastal cannon or a 76.2 mm 1931 anti-aircraft gun. It was to weigh over 17.6 tons and a speed over 37 kph.

	T-28	T-28 1932	T-28 1934	T-28 E, T-28 M
Crew	63,4,5,6,7,8	61,2	61,2	61,2,8
Physical Characteristics
Weight	61,730 lb, 27.5 tons8, 27.8 tons7, 28 tons3,4,6, 28.5 tons5 28,500 kg3	25.22, 27.5-28.5 tons2	32,000 kg1, 31.5 tons1	31-32 tons
Length w/gun	18'5, 24' 5"3, 24' 4.8"6, 24' 9"8 7.25 m4, 7.44 m3,6,7	7.36-7.44 m2	7.44 m1, 24' 5"1	7.36-7.44 m2
Length w/o gun
Height	9' 3"3,6, 9.' 4"8, 9.25'5 2.75 m4, 2.82 m3,6,7	2.62-2.82 m2	2.86 m1, 9' 3"1	2.62-2.82 m2
Width	9.2'5, 9' 2.75"6, 9' 4"8, 9' 5"3 2.78 m4, 2.81 m3,6,7	2.81-2.87 m2	2.86 m1, 9' 3"1	2.81-2.87 m2
Ground clearance	1' 5" 0.43 m4	0.5-0.56 m2		0.5-0.56 m2
Ground contact length
Ground pressure	10.24 psi 0.72 (kg/cm2)4	0.72 kg/(cm2)2		0.77 kg/cm2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	76.2 mm5,8 76.2 mm Model 1927/32 L/16.53 76.2 mm L/164 OR L/254 76 mm KT-287	76.2 mm 1927/322 L/16	45 mm1 OR 76.2 mm1	76.2 mm L-10 L/26
Secondary
MG	3: 7.62 mm DT MG3 3: MG4,5	3 or 4: 7.62 mm DT MG2, turrets(2), rear	3: 7.62 mm MG1	3 or 4: 7.62 mm DT MG2, turrets(2), rear
Side arms
Quantity
Main	694	64-702		69
Secondary
MG	8,3204	7,938-8,3202		7,939
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	308 10 - 303,5 Front: 307 Side: 207			808
Hull Front, Upper	304	302		58-80
Hull Front, Lower
Hull Sides, Upper	204	202		40
Hull Sides, Lower
Hull Rear	204	202		40
Hull Top	10-154	10-152		23
Hull Bottom	204	10-152		23
Turret Front	204	Main: 302 MG turret: 20		Main: 80
Turret Sides	234	Main: 202 MG turret: 202		Main: 40
Turret Rear	234	Main: 20-302 MG turret: 202		Main: 40
Turret Top	114	Main: 152 MG turret: 102		Main: 152
Engine (Make / Model)	M-17 L3,8 M-174,6	M-172 or M-17 L2		M-172 or M-17 L2
Cylinders	V-126,8
Net HP	5005,6,7,8
Transmission	4 forward4, 1 reverse4
Fuel type	Gasoline5
Octane
Capacity		650 liters2
Power to Weight ratio	18.2 hp / tons8
Performance
Traverse	360° MGs: 60°	360°	360°	360°
Max Speed	20 mph8, 23 mph3,5,6 35 kph4, 37 kph3,6, 45 kph7	37-40 kph2	37 kph1, 22 mph1	23 kph
Cross Country	12.4 mph
Road radius	136.7 miles6, 137 miles, 118 miles3, 190 km3, 220 km6	140-220 km2	220 km1, 135 miles1	140-180 km
Turning Radius
Elevation Limits	+25° MGs: -30° to +30°
Fording depth	1' 9" 0.8 m4	0.8 m2		0.8 m2
Trench crossing	9' 6"6 2.9 m6	2.7-3.3 m2		2.7-3.3 m2
Vertical Obstacle	3' 5"6 1.04 m6	0.96 m2		0.96 m2
Suspension (Type)	Coil Springs4,8
Wheels each side	124,8
Return rollers each side	4
Track length
Tires	8 rubber4, 4 steel4
Track width	1' 4" 260 mm4
Track centers/tread
Production	1933-1940: 6003 1933 41 1934 50 1935 32 1936 101 1937 39 1938 96 1939 131 1940 13, 122

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. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
8. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979

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