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Soviet Union's A-32 and T-32 medium tank
Design
Designed along side the A-20, A. A. Morozov and M. I. Koshkin worked on another design that would be simpler to produce and maintain.5
The T-32 was to only be able to run on tracks.5,7
Prototype
In August 1938 the High War Council, let by People's Commissar for Defense, K. J. Voroshilov, discussed the A-20 and T-32.6 Many on the Council disliked the T-32 as it didn't have the wheel track feature they were wanting.6,7 Stalin however saw the validity of Koshkin's argument and backed the A-32.7 In July 1939, the Kharkov Locomotive Factory had completed the prototypes for the A-20 and T-32.5,6 They were both then tested and it was decided to go with the T-32.5 On December 19, 1939, the People's Commissariat for Defense released the T-32 to the Red Army.6,7 It was soon designated the T-34.6
In 1939 tests were conducted with the T-32 and A-20 and the T-32 was selected as it had better fire power and armor.4
Production
Variants
- A-32: Based on the A-20 but the main armament was upgraded to 76.2 mm in 19393,4 Ran on wheels or tracks.7
- T-32: Produced in 1939 and very similar to the A-32, but it no longer had a wheel mode.3,4
Usage
T-32 |
|
|---|---|
| Crew | 41,2 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 18.7 tons1, 19 tons2,6 19,000 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 17.85'2, 19' 5"1 5.92 m1 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 7.85'2, 8'1 2.45 m1 |
| Width | 8.85'2, 9' 10"1 3 m1 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 76.2 mm L-111 76.2 mm2,4,6 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2: DT MGs1 2: MG2,4,6 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 10 - 301 30 - 602 453,4 |
| Hull Front, Upper | |
| Hull Front, Lower | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | |
| Hull Rear | |
| Hull Top | |
| Hull Bottom | |
| Turret Front | |
| Turret Sides | |
| Turret Rear | |
| Turret Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | V-21 |
| Cylinders | 121 |
| Net HP | 4501 @ 2,200 rpm1 4502 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | Diesel1,2 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | |
| Max Speed | 38 mph2, 40 mph1 65 kph1,6 |
| Cross Country | |
| Road radius | 199 miles1 320 km1 |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation Limits | |
| Fording depth | |
| Trench crossing | |
| Vertical Obstacle | |
| Suspension (Type) | |
| Wheels each side | 53,6, 5 pairs4 |
| Return rollers each side | |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | |
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- 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
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Armour in Profile #9: T-34/76, J. M. Brereton, ?
- Airfix Magazine Guide 22 Russian Tanks of World War 2, John Milsom and Steve Zaloga, 1977
- Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917-1945, by Wolfgang Fleischer, 1999
- Russian Tanks of World War II, Stalin's Armored Might, Tim Bean, Will Fowler, 2002
