T-37 (tank)
T-37 reconnaissance tank | |
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Amphibious light reconnaissance tank T-37 |
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General properties | |
crew | 2 |
length | 3.73 m |
width | 1.94 m |
height | 1.84 m |
Dimensions | 3.2 tons |
Armor and armament | |
Armor | approx. 4–8 mm |
Main armament | 1 × 7.62mm machine gun |
agility | |
drive | 4-cylinder gasoline engine GAZ -AA 29 kW (40 PS) |
suspension | Coil spring |
Top speed | 55 km / h |
Power / weight | 9.06 kW / t (12.5 PS / t) |
Range | 185 km |
The T-37 was a Soviet amphibious reconnaissance tank developed on the basis of the British Carden-Lloyd tank. Several test versions of the tank were built (T-33 and T-44 ); mass production under the designation T-37 began in autumn 1933.
Development and production
The T-37 light main battle tank was developed by chief designer NN Kozyrew (and, after his arrest, Nikolai Alexandrovich Astrov ) and went into production in 1933. By 1936, a total of 2627 units were built in Plant No. 37 (Sawod No. 37) in Moscow .
Versions
T-37: The first version of the tank had serious flaws - the riveted outer shell was not waterproof. Only 70 pieces of this version were produced.
T-37A: The outer shell has been redesigned to ensure watertightness. The riveted cover was replaced by a welded one. About 2,600 of this version were produced from 1933 to 1936. The armament consisted of a 7.62 mm machine gun . The tank was only used for reconnaissance purposes in poorly defended areas.
Use in the Wehrmacht
Captured T-37s were mostly used by the Wehrmacht under the designation 731 (r) in security units in the occupied hinterland of the Soviet Union or as tractors. When used as a tractor, the tank turret was often removed. Infantry units also use the T-37 as a reconnaissance vehicle. Air force security units for airfields also use the T-37. German units partially replaced the tank turret with German machine guns or 2 cm machine cannons with a protective shield.
Technical specifications
Panzerkampfwagen T-37 | |
0 General characteristics | |
crew | two soldiers |
Combat weight | 3.5 t |
Ground pressure | 0.53 kg / cm 2 |
length | 3.75 m |
width | 2 m |
height | 1.82 m |
Ground clearance | 30 cm |
Chain width | 21 cm |
0 armament | |
Main armament | 1 MG |
Secondary armament | |
Combat load HW | 585 rounds |
Combat load MG | |
0 mileage | |
engine | 4-cylinder gasoline engine GAZ-AA |
cooling | water |
Displacement | 3.3 l |
Bore / stroke | 98.4 / 108 mm |
maximum rotation | 2200 rpm. |
PS | 40 hp |
Motor effectiveness | 12.5 hp / l |
Power to weight ratio | 11.4 hp / t |
transmission | four forward gears, one reverse gear |
Speed limit road | 35.5 km / h |
Fuel supply | 100 l |
Range road | 185 km |
Range terrain | 115 km |
steering | Steering brakes |
Rollers | 4th |
suspension | Coil spring |
Wading ability | 120 cm |
0 armor | |
Tub bow | 10 mm |
Tub side | 10 mm |
Tub rear | 5 mm |
Tub roof | 5 to 7 mm |
Tub bottom | 5 mm |
Tower front | 10 mm |
Tower side | 10 mm |
Turret stern | 10 mm |
Tower roof | 5 mm |
literature
- Свирин М. Н .: Броня крепка. История советского танка 1919–1937. (Swirin MN The armor is solid. The history of the Soviet tank 1919–1937. ) «Eksmo», Moscow 2007, ISBN 5-699-13809-9 .
- Robert Jackson: tanks: models from around the world from 1915 to today. Parragon Books Ltd, ISBN 978-1-4075-7742-5 , pp. 51 ff.
- Alexander Lüdeke : captured tanks of the Wehrmacht - Great Britain, Italy, Soviet Union and USA 1939–45. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2011, ISBN 978-3-613-03359-7 .
See also
Web links
- ArmorSite: T-37 and T-38, photos (russian)
- ArmorSite: The memories of chief designer NA Astrow about the T-37 and T-38 tanks (russ.)
- Data and timeline on production and use
- Brief description and pictures of the T-37A
- T37 when crossing a body of water
Individual evidence
- ↑ Lüdeke: captured armor of the Wehrmacht. 2011, pp. 49-50.
- ↑ Thomas L. Jentz : The German Armored Troop 1933-42. Podzun-Pallas Verlag, 1998, ISBN 3-7909-0623-9 , p. 282.