T-28 Medium

Soviet T-28 Medium Tank

Autumn of 1941
Russia's T-28

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-28 B (34K)

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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