T-80 (light tank)

T-80
T-80 in the Kubinka Tank Museum, Russia
General properties
crew	3 men
length	4,285 m
width	2.42 m
height	2.18 m
Dimensions	11.6 t
Armor and armament
Armor	10 to max. 45 mm
Main armament	45 mm gun L 46 20 km
Secondary armament	1 × 7.62 mm MG Degtjarjow DT , 1 × 7.62 mm MP Shpagin PPSch
agility
drive	two 6-cylinder gasoline engines GAS-80 (GAS-203F or M-80) 2 × 62.56 kW (2 × 85 PS)
suspension	Torsion bar suspension
Top speed	42 km / h (road), 20-25 km / h (off-road)
Power / weight	14.6 hp / t
Range	320 km (road)

The T-80 was a Soviet light tank of the Second World War that was only produced in small numbers. It was developed in the summer and autumn of 1942 in the design office of the GAS works. The chief designer of the T-80 was Nikolai Alexandrovich Astrov , one of the leading Soviet specialists in the development of light tanks at the time. Accepted by the Red Army in December 1942 , the tank was produced in small series until October 1943. A total of about 75 to 85 T-80s left the production line and were used in combat from autumn 1943.

There were several reasons for the early end of series production of the T-80 : After the engine was initially not as reliable as desired, the armor and firepower in particular turned out to be too weak for the conditions of 1943. In addition, there was the high demand of the Red Army for SU-76 self-propelled guns, which could be produced on the same production line.

The T-80 was the last Soviet light tank to be produced in significant numbers during the war. The type designation was reassigned in the 1970s for the Russian T-80 main battle tank .

history

In the years 1941–1942, light tanks were an important part of the Red Army's tank force, despite their disadvantages. The Soviet leadership and some generals wanted to equip the tank units with as many medium tanks T-34 as possible as early as 1942 ; but this could not be guaranteed due to the evacuation of the tank factories and the lack of material and personnel. So instead of T-34 tanks , the tank units were equipped with light tanks, which could be produced more easily and with less effort.

In December 1941, the Red Army had taken the new light tank T-70 , the direct predecessor of the T-80, into service. From the beginning, the military experts criticized its main weak point: the single-seat tower, since here the commander had to take over the work of the commander, the loader and gunner and - if radio equipment was available - that of the radio operator. But the T-70 had plenty of room for improvement.

The design office of the GAS works under the direction of NA Astrow therefore promised in January 1942, while the GAS-70 (Russian ГАЗ-70, prototype of the T-70 ) was still being tested , the GBTU RKKA ( Main Armored Office of the Red Army, Russian ГБТУ РККА - Главное БронеТанковое Управление Рабоче-Крестьянской Красной Армии ) the fastest possible development of a new two-man tower. The actual work on a new tower only began in April 1942 after the successful start of series production of the T-70 due to a lack of personnel .

In the course of development it became clear as early as 1942 that installing a two-man tower would greatly increase the load on the engine, suspension and transmission. The tests with a T-70 loaded with up to eleven tons confirmed these fears: the torsion bars and chain links were damaged and the drive failed. The main task was therefore to reinforce these structural elements. As a result, the work on it led to the new version T-70M, which was then produced in series at GAS from October 1942. In autumn 1942 the two-man tower was also manufactured and successfully tested, but on the way to series production there were two obstacles that had to be solved.

The first problem was the inadequate performance of the twin gasoline engines GAS-203, whose performance could be increased from 140 to 170  hp by increasing the delivery rate and compression ratio . The second obstacle was the requirement for a large elevation of the main weapon. So the fight against high-lying targets in city battles and the air defense should be possible. In particular, the commander of the Kalinin Front , Lieutenant General Ivan S. Konev , demanded this. The two-seater tower already developed could not meet this requirement. A new tower therefore had to be built. The second prototype with the new tower had the factory designation 0-80 or 080. The diameter of the slewing ring was enlarged in order to accommodate the crew and the cannon in a more user-friendly manner. A 45 mm thick and 14 cm high armored ring on the fuselage under the turret increased the position of the turret and thus enabled air defense (there was more space in the interior for aiming the weapon). However, this improvement made it impossible to remove the engine without first dismantling the turret, as the armored ring lay over the removable engine armor.

The prototype 080 was successfully tested in December 1942 and the model with the designation T-80 was then adopted by the Red Army.

At the same time as the work to improve the T-70 , the Battle of Stalingrad was fought . The factories Stalingradski Traktorny Sawod (STS), plant No. 264 and other factories were lost, so that fewer T-34s could be produced and it was feared that the establishment of new tank units would be endangered. With the light tanks, however, a sufficiently high production figure could be ensured, which increased the importance of Astrow's work.

Serial production of the T-80 did not start in the GAS works in Gorky, but was planned in the reorganized plant No. 40 in Mytishchi . The main aim was to avoid a decrease in the output figures of the T-70M and SU-76 in the GAS plants when converting production from the T-70M to the T-80 . The vehicles of the pre-series production from the beginning of 1943 failed the scheduled tests. Only after intensive work on the engines could usable series vehicles be delivered from July. The T-80 was in use at the front from autumn 1943.

Series production only ran until October 1943. The rapid end had two main reasons: The twin M-80 gasoline engines (also known as GAS-203F (Russian ГАЗ-203Ф)) were initially not as reliable as desired. The decisive factor, however, was the T-80's armor and firepower, which were too weak for the conditions in 1943 . The Battle of Kursk and the subsequent Soviet offensives made it clear that the days of the light tank in the tank brigades , tank regiments , tank corps and tank battalions were over. These units were only equipped with the medium tank T-34 , which could also fight the new generation of German tanks (the heavy tanks had been in separate regiments and brigades since the end of 1942).

As a result, the production stop for light tanks was ordered. At the same time, the production output of the T-34 had risen to such an extent that the large losses in the second half of 1943 could be compensated for. Some important generals objected to the cessation of production (e.g. Semyon Ilyich Bogdanov , commander of the 2nd Guards Armored Army, later Marshal of the Armored Forces), since these light tanks continued to be in the niches in which a T-34 or IS tank was worthless, considered necessary: ​​In the pursuit, reconnaissance and the city fight against high targets in buildings. They were also more likely to avoid enemy anti-tank infantry weapons in street combat because of their better maneuverability; with their small size and high speed, they were more likely to operate with a minimum of infantry support than medium or heavy tanks.

At the same time, the Red Army's need for SU-76 self-propelled guns was high, so that the production line was also converted to the production of the SU-76. After the end of production in 1943, even after the engines had been improved in early 1944, production was not restarted.

Production numbers

Series production of the T-80 began in February 1943 at Plant No. 40 in Mytishchi. The production output was not large, only about 80 T-80s were built by the end of production in October 1943 . The exact number remains unclear. According to the files of the GBTU RKKA ( Main Armored Office of the Red Army), a total of 75 T-80s were built. The documents of the NKTP ( Tank Industry People's Commissariat, Russian: НКТП - Народный Комиссариат Танковой Промышленности ), however, show a production of 81 T-80s for the year 1943 , with a total production of 85 tanks over the entire duration of the war. The prototypes, pre-production vehicles and experimental tanks were probably also included.

Five experimental tanks were also produced in the GAS works.

Insinuation

The T-80 should replace the T-70 and be used in the independent tank brigades, tank regiments and tank battalions. However, due to the weaknesses of the T-70 , these were removed from the tank brigades from November 1943 and the brigades rebuilt accordingly. The new layout plans 010/500 to 010/506 only provided for the T-34 in the inventory. On March 4, 1944, the issued RKKA - General Staff directive Org / 3/2305 with the T-70 -Panzer were also taken out of the regiments. At the time of this redesign, the new T-80s came to the force. The existing T-70 and T-80 were taken over into tank reconnaissance battalions. These units each had a light tank company with seven vehicles, all others were equipped with BA-64 armored vehicles. The T-80 was also used in the light self-propelled artillery regiments as the regimental commander's vehicle. Main weapon of these regiments formed the SU-76 - self-propelled gun . The identical spare parts for the chassis and other parts of the vehicles T-70, T-80 and SU-76 simplified the maintenance in these units.

Mission profile

The main task of the T-80 , like that of its predecessor, the T-70, was to be infantry support. A typical Soviet tank unit (regiment, brigade, division or corps) was equipped with T-34s and light tanks ( T-60 , T-70, M3 Stuart or Mk III Valentine ) in 1942 . On the battlefield, according to instructions, the light tanks formed the second wave of attacks behind the T-34 tanks. The light tanks supported the infantry following them in a short distance by fighting enemy machine gun positions , field fortifications including the trenches and the anti-tank gun positions that were not destroyed by the first wave of T-34s , in return for fighting them . The direct fight against anti-tank guns and enemy tanks was associated with high losses, but not completely hopeless. If the enemy withdrew, it was the task of the light tanks to pursue them, mainly because of their high speed. The danger from anti-tank guns was also low. In a tank-led counterattack, they should use their speed and maneuverability to flank the enemy and fight enemy tanks on the side or from behind. The implementation of this tactic often failed due to poorly trained tank soldiers, wrong orders from commanders or simply due to a lack of heavier material. The light tank also proved to be suitable for city combat due to its small size and its maneuverability.

commitment

Details of the practical use of the T-80 have not been found in the records to date (2007). In the literature, complaints by the Red Army about the overloading and insufficient reliability of the engine are reported, but whether these were operational experience or just the results of the previous tests remains unclear. It is known that some T-80s were used in the light self-propelled artillery regiments in 1944, so the 5th Guards Armored Brigade received two T-80s from February 15, 1945 after their overhaul. There is no information available on the use of the T-80 in other nations' armies.

technical description

construction

The T-80 was similar in structure to other Soviet light tanks of its time. The vehicle can be divided into five parts (from front to back):

• Gear room
• Driver's compartment
• Engine compartment in the right side of the tub
• Combat area in the left part of the tub and in the tower
• Rear compartment with the fuel tanks and the radiator

This design determined the advantages and disadvantages of the T-80 and the other vehicles in its class. In particular, the position of the transmission and chain drive wheel in the front made the design vulnerable, since the front is most exposed to enemy fire. On the other hand, the position of the tank in the stern area behind a special fire bulkhead was an advantage , unlike in medium and heavy Soviet tanks ( T-34 and the tanks of the IS and KW series each had tanks directly in the combat compartment). It reduced the risk of fire in the event of a hit - a problem particularly with gasoline-powered vehicles - and increased the survival rate of the crew. Another advantage of the T-80 was its low height and light weight compared to other tanks (the Italian M14 / 41 tank, comparable in armor and armament , weighed 14 tons). The crew consisted of three men: a driver, a gunner and the commander, who also took over the work of loader and radio operator.

Armor and turret

The armored hull of the T-80 was welded together from various rolled armor plates with thicknesses of 10, 15, 25, 35 and 45 mm . The surface has been hardened to increase the strength of the armor. The armor protected against fire from heavy machine guns , the front armor withstood small-caliber shells. Front and rear armor were clearly inclined, the sides were vertical. The sides were welded from two plates, the weld seam was reinforced by a riveted steel beam. Some of the armor plates (e.g. above the engine and the radiator) were removable in order to enable access for maintenance purposes. The driver's seat was in the front left in the tub. The hatch for the driver to get in and out of was embedded in the front armor plate, and a special rod spring mechanism made it easier to open. The hatch in the front armor made it more susceptible to hits. The floor consisted of three welded plates, which, like the side armor, were reinforced with box-shaped stiffening beams over the seams. At the same time boxes took the torsion bars. An emergency exit hatch was cut into the floor of the tub behind the driver's seat. Various smaller hatches, ventilator and maintenance openings (tank or drain openings for fuel, water, oil) were distributed over the armored hull. Some of them were provided with armored covers or plugged.

The hexagonal welded tower was shaped like a truncated pyramid . The 35 mm thick side armor was inclined slightly to make room for two men in the interior. The welds on the sides were reinforced with angles. The frontal part of the tower was protected by an armored screen 45 mm thick. The aperture had three openings - for the cannon, machine gun and sighting telescope. The commandant's dome for entry and exit was on the top right-hand side of the tower and the rotating periscope was mounted on it. Special locks on the turntable of the tower prevented the tower from moving when the vehicle was tilted.

Armament

View of the tower with the 45 mm chariot gun 20 km

The main weapon of the T-80 was a semi-automatic combat vehicle cannon of the type M1938 (also 20-km ) with a caliber of 45 mm with a rifled barrel. It was placed in the center of the tower. The official designation of the gun in the Red Army was 45-мм танковая пушка обр. 1938 г. (45-mm chariot cannon M1938). 20-Км (20-km) was an equivalent designation of the developer and manufacturer, Sawod No. 8 imeni Kalinina ( Kalinin -Werke No. 8). The 20-km had a barrel length of 46 caliber lengths (L / 46), the line of fire was 1630 mm high. The core range was 3.6 km, the maximum range was about six kilometers. The secondary armament was a Degtjarjow DT 7.62-mm machine gun , it was attached axially parallel to the 20-km . The DT-MG could easily be removed and the tank soldiers could use it dismounted. Both weapons had an elevation range of −8 ° to + 65 ° and, by rotating the turret, a lateral range of 360 °. The toothed gear to the side of the tower and the leveling mechanism with screw gear were attached to the left and right of the gunner's workplace. The two straightening units were hand-driven. The machine gun had a mechanical trigger , the cannon was equipped with an electrical and a mechanical trigger (in case the electrical trigger should fail).

The combat rate for the cannon was 94 to 100 cartridge ammunition. The ejection of the case of a fired tank shell was carried out by an automatic ejection mechanism, a fragmentation grenade case was removed by hand. The propellant charge of the fragmentation grenade for use with the 20-km was weaker than that of the tank grenade in order to compensate for the thinner material thickness of the grenade (which could carry a larger explosive charge). The recoil was too weak for the ejection mechanism , so that the commander had to open the breech and remove the case.

The theoretical rate of fire was around twelve rounds per minute, in practice it was 4 to 7 rounds per minute due to the problem of case ejection. Various types of grenades were available for the 20 km :

Ammunition nomenclature
Type	Name ( Transl.  / Russian)	Weight of the grenade in kg	Weight of the explosive charge in g	Muzzle velocity in m / s
Calibrated tank shells
Tank grenade with tracer and bullet hood (English APCBC-T)	BR-240 / БР-240	1.43	18.5 (A-IX-2)	760
Tank incendiary grenade with tracer and bullet hood	BSR-240 / БЗР-240	1.44	12.5 + 13 (fuel)	760
Tank shell with projectile hood (APCBC)	B-240 / Б-240	1.43	19.5 (A-IX-2)	760
Tank shell with tracer (solid AP-T)	BR-240SP / БР-240СП	1.43	no	757
Sub-caliber tank shells
Tungsten core tank shell with tracer (APCR-T)	BR-240P / БР-240П	0.85	no	985
Fragmentation grenades
Frag grenade	O-240	1.98-2.15	78	343
cast iron fragmentation grenade	O-240А	1.98-2.15	78	343
Grapeshot
Grapeshot	Shch-240 / Щ-240	1.62	137 balls, 100 g powder	?

Bulletin board for 45 mm KwK 20-K
Tank shells B-240, BR-240, BSR-240
Firing range in m	Angle of incidence 30 °, mm	Impact angle 0 °, mm
100	43	52
250	39	48
500	35	43
1000	28	35
1500	23	28
2000	19th	23
BR-240SP tank shell
Firing range in m	Angle of incidence 30 °, mm	Impact angle 0 °, mm
100	49	59
250	45	55
500	40	51
1000	32	40
1500	26th	33
2000	22nd	26th
BR-240P tank shell
Firing range in m	Angle of incidence 30 °, mm	Impact angle 0 °, mm
100	70	96
200	65	84
300	59	72
400	53	61
500	47	51
These data were determined according to the Soviet method (Jakob de Marres formula, cement armor of high hardness (1.1 to 1.3 strength of the RHA ) as the target). It should be noted that the penetration ability significantly depended on the production batch of grenades and the technology of manufacture. Direct comparison with similar data from other guns is not possible.

Cartridges for use with the 20 K combat vehicle cannon, from left to right:

1.  UBR-243P  with BR-240P tungsten  -core armored shell
2. UBR-243SP with BR-240SP armored shell
3. UBSR-243 with BSR-240 anti- tank grenade
4. UO -243 with fragmentation grenade O-240
5. Ushch-243 with grapple Shch -240

The real penetration capacity of the BR-240, BSR-240 and B-240 tank shells deviated significantly from the table value. Tests in 1939 had shown that the 32 mm thick side armor of the PzKpfW III (the vehicle was damaged during the attack on Poland near Brest and left behind by the Wehrmacht, later it was taken over by the Red Army) from 500 meters in the right Angle was not penetrated by a BR-240 shell. Repeated tests in 1940 produced a hardly better result: the armor was penetrated only with two out of five hits. That is why the new 45mm BR-240SP grenade was developed. It also reached the table values ​​in practice and was used from 1942.

1008 rounds of ammunition (16 plate magazines ) were carried for the coaxial DT -MG . The team was equipped with a PPSh-41 - submachine gun with 213 shot in three drum magazines and twelve F-1 - hand grenades equipped. Sometimes a signal pistol with ammunition added to the inventory.

engine

The T-80 was powered by two six- cylinder , four-stroke , in- line gasoline engines of the type GAS-203F (later M-80 ) connected as a twin engine. Together, the water-cooled engines developed around 170 hp (125 kW ) at 3400 revolutions per minute. Both motors (designation as a single motor GAS-80 ) were with a carburetor of the type K-43 equipped. The crankshafts of the engines were coupled by a coupling with elastic bushings. Special dampers between the crankcase and the front attachment to the armored hull were supposed to prevent the engine from vibrating lengthways. The only cooling water pump had two cooling elements, separately for each engine part of the twin engine. The GAS-203F was equipped with an oil cyclone air filter.

Like its predecessor, the T-70 , the T-80 was also equipped with a preheater for use in cold weather conditions. The boiler was located between the tub and the engine. The water heated by a blowtorch was transported to the engine according to the principle of a thermosiphon system. This blowtorch ran on gasoline as fuel . The thermosiphon is a passive construction that does without a conventional pump and uses the different specific gravity of the water at different temperatures to drive the water cycle. The system used the pipes and the radiator of the cooling system to heat the entire engine; The radiator and boiler were an integral part of the engine.

The twin engine was by two ST-06 - starter in parallel started (total output about 2 PS or 1.5 kW). Starting could also be done with a hand crank or towing another tank.

The two fuel tanks in the rear held a total of 440 liters. The driving range was 320 kilometers on the road. Aviation gasoline B-70 or KB-70 ( octane number 70) was used as fuel, as well as normal car gasoline in summer with the appropriate setting of the carburetor.

Power transmission

The T-80 was equipped with a fully mechanical power transmission . The individual assemblies were:

• the semi-centrifugal main two-disc dry clutch with friction linings made of Ferodo composite material (material named after the British manufacturer Ferodo );
• the four-speed transmission (four forward gears, a reverse gear), in many parts identical with the transmission of the ZIS-5 - trucks ;
• two side single-disc clutches with dry friction steel on steel and steel brake band with Ferodo pads;
• two simple side gears ;
• two mechanical control levers and pedals.

drive

Drive of the T-80

The track drive of the T-80 was taken over from the predecessor T-70M . The roller drive consisted of five rollers with three support rollers and a front drive wheel with rack teeth . The guide wheel at the rear was identical to the rollers. It was also part of the chain tensioning mechanism. The one-piece, punched rollers with a diameter of 550 mm and rubber bandages were individually torsion bar sprung without additional shock absorbers . The deflection of the second, fourth and fifth swing arm (counting from the front) was limited by limiters welded close to the armored hull with rubber buffers. The support rollers were also the limiters for the first and third rollers. Special limiters were also attached to the armored hull, which were supposed to prevent the crawler from slipping if the chain was placed at an angle. The track consisted of 80 short chain links with two rows of teeth, 111 mm long and 300 mm wide.

Electrical equipment

The on-board network consisted of a wire to all consumers, the armored hull as the ground potential took over the return line.

The power source was the GT-500S - generator with the control switch RRK-GT-500S (500 W) and two successively connected 3-STE-112 - storage batteries having a total capacity of 112 ampere hours . The working voltage was 12 volts. The pantographs were:

• the exterior and interior lighting, the illuminating device for the sight scale;
• the horn ;
• the communication means: radio and anti-tank intercom;
• the engine electrics: starter ST-06 , ignition coil , distributor , spark plugs etc.

Sighting devices and vision devices

The 45 mm gun 20 Km and coaxially mounted 7.62 mm MG DT of the T-80 were with a visor telescope TMF-1 for the direction against ground targets and a KT-8 - Kollimatorfernrohr for high-lying objectives and antiaircraft fitted. A periscopic device was part of the equipment of each operator station (driver, gunner, commander). The overview from the commander's cupola could have been better, because instead of five fixed angle mirrors as originally intended, only one movable periscope was installed due to the lack of visual equipment (even in 1943) .

News media

The T-80 was associated with a 12RT - radio equipment in the tower and a TPU equipped -Panzergegensprechanlage for three participants.

The 12RT system consisted of the radio transmitter , receiver and converter for connection to the 12 V on-board power supply. From a technical point of view, the 12RT was a duplex , amplitude modulation , tube and shortwave radio system with a heterodyne receiver . The output was 20 watts. The transmitter had a frequency range from 4 to 5.625 MHz for communication between the tanks in the group. The receiver had an extended frequency range from 3.75 to 6 MHz for group communication and reception of messages from the staff. When stationary, the range in voice mode without radio interference was 15 to 25 km, while the range was reduced while driving. The greatest range was achieved through the pure use of code systems (e.g. Morse code ) without voice transmission.

The TPU intercom enabled communication inside the noisy tank and, through connection to the radio system, with the outside world.

Technical specifications

Technical data light tank T-80
General properties
classification	light main battle tank
Chief designer	Nikolai Alexandrovich Astrov
Prototype designation	080 or 0-80
Manufacturer	Gorkowski Avtomobilny Zavod (5 prototypes) Zavod No. 40 in Mytishchi (around 80)
Weight	11.6 tons
Length over all	4285 mm (about 5150 mm with the WT-43 cannon)
Width over everything	2420 mm
height	2180 mm
Ground clearance	300 mm
crew	3 men (driver, gunner, commander / loader)
Construction year	1943
number of pieces	about 80
Armament
Main armament	1 × 45 mm L46 cannon 20 km
Secondary armament	1 × 7.62 mm MG Degtjarjow DT , 1 × 7.62 mm MP Shpagin PPSch
ammunition	94–100 grenades , 1008 rounds of machine gun ammunition, 213 rounds of MP ammunition, 12 hand grenades F-1
Armor, hull
Bow above	45 mm / inclination 60 °
Bow below	15 mm / 9 °
Driver front	35 mm / 30 °
Tub side	25 mm / 90 °
Rear up	15 mm / 22 °
Stern down	25 mm / 46 °
ceiling	15 mm / 0 °
ground	10 mm / 0 °
Armor, turret
Tower cover	35 mm / arched
Tower front above	15 mm / 10 °
Tower front below	35 mm / 45 °
Tower side	35 mm / 85 °
Rear	35 mm / 60 °
ceiling	10 mm / 5 °
agility
engine	two 6-cylinder gasoline engines GAS-80 (GAS-203F or M-80) with 2 × 85 HP
Power to weight ratio	14.6 hp / ton
Top speed: (road; terrain)	42 km / h; 20-25 km / h
Fuel supply	440 liters
Fuel consumption per 100 km (road)	138 liters
Driving area (road)	320 km
Drive position	front
suspension	Torsion bar
Chain width	300 mm
Ground pressure	0.84 kg / cm²

Versions

Serial production

The T-80 was produced in only one version without any significant changes in its construction. There were no combat or special vehicles ( self-propelled artillery , flak tanks , transporters or tugs) based on the chassis of the T-80.

Trial constructions

The weak armament (especially the insufficient penetration capability) prompted the designers to improve the firepower. Of several drafts, the only approach that was put into practice was the installation of the 45 mm WT-42 cannon with a long barrel (68 caliber lengths ). The cannon was developed in cooperation between Werk Nr. 40 and OKB-172 and had the same external ballistics as the 45 mm anti-tank gun M1942 (M-42) . The WT-42 was successfully tested in the T-70 , but it could not fire at a sufficiently large elevation range; however, this was a basic requirement of the T-80. The closure and the pipe return device had to be significantly revised in order to meet the requirements. The new variant was named WT-43. In early 1943, the work was finished, and the weapon was successfully tested in the T-80. With the exception of a higher muzzle velocity of the tank shell (950 m / s instead of 760 m / s) and the larger elevation range (up to + 78 °), all other technical data remained the same. The WT-43 was adopted as new armament, but further work was discontinued along with the end of series production.

Design analysis

T-80 in the Kubinka Tank Museum, Russia

The T-80, developed in extreme wartime situations, was the last Soviet light tank of World War II to be mass-produced. Before the war, the Soviet leadership viewed light tanks as an important part of the armored troops' equipment, the production costs of which should be low compared to medium and heavy tanks. In the event of a large-scale war, the light tanks were to be produced in large numbers by non-armored factories.

The pre-war T-50 tank was considered suitable for this, but wartime production of the T-50 only reached about 70 vehicles. The evacuation of the manufacturer and the shortage of diesel engines halted series production of the T-50 forever. In addition, plant no. 37, whose task in the event of war was the series production of the T-50 , could not cope with this task because the T-50 was too complicated for this small operation.

With the T-40 floating tank as a basis, the design office of Plant No. 37 (later GAS works) under the direction of NA Astrow worked on the design of a light tank using cheap truck parts. Alongside the earlier stages of development, the T-60 and T-70 light tanks , the T-80 was the result of these efforts. But the T-80 was not a full-fledged replacement for the T-50, as the latter showed better values ​​in terms of power- to- weight ratio , clarity, driving range and armor (especially on the side).

The low cost and simplified manufacturing processes compared to the heavy Soviet tanks, on the other hand, could satisfy the leadership's desire for a vehicle for large-scale mass production in unspecialized factories. This was already achieved by its predecessor, the T-70. The ergonomics (main weak point of the T-70 ) were significantly improved with the T-80, but its advantages were not used in practice, and the reason was not weaknesses of the design.

The changing situation at the front had the greatest impact on the fate of the Soviet light tanks. The massive use of the T-34 on the battlefield forced the qualitative reinforcement of the German anti-tank artillery. In 1942, the Wehrmacht received many new tanks, self-propelled guns and anti-tank guns with long barrels and a caliber of 5 or 7.5 centimeters. While the frontal armor of the T-80 was still able to withstand a 5 cm shell hit in certain cases, the destruction of a T-80 with the long 7.5 cm cannon from any firing range and at any angle was no problem. The side armor was vulnerable to hits at right angles from the outdated 3.7 cm anti-tank gun PaK 35/36 , at a more acute angle (typical situation in frontal fire) the 25 mm side armor provided good protection against 3.7 cm shell hits .

An unpainted model of the T-80

As a result, the attack on a prepared position with anti-tank guns would have led to high losses for the attacking T-80 unit. The explosive strength of the 45-mm high explosive shell was too weak for effective combat against PaK positions and its penetration capability was insufficient against the German tanks in 1943. The under-caliber 45-mm tungsten-core tank shell BR-240P was able to provide frontal armor for the modernized tank III and Panzer IV (or the side armor of the Tiger ) only penetrated from a short firing range (less than 300 meters); the frontal armor of the Tiger or Panther was invulnerable to all types of 45 mm tank shells. The T-80 units should therefore only ambush enemy tanks from a short range and try to hit their sides or stern. This required great skill from the Soviet tank soldiers. The battle at the Kursk Bogen showed the correctness of these theses on the T-70 ; the T-80 was so far equivalent. That was one of the reasons for discontinuing series production of the T-80.

As mentioned earlier, the GAS-203F twin engines had reliability issues. The Soviet designers therefore tried to replace them with General Motors licensed diesel engines. But the plants in Yaroslavl and Gorky , which were prepared for pre-series production, were destroyed or badly damaged by air force bombings. In January 1944, the work to improve the GAS engines was successfully completed, but the series production time of the light tank was irrevocably over. The idea of ​​the light tank was not completely abandoned, in 1944 a new project based on the T-80 structure with a diesel engine and 76 mm M1943 regimental cannon was being developed. However, the future development of Soviet light tanks took a different path: The combat experience showed that the Red Army had a high demand for modern floating tanks. In 1944, for example, the Soviet high command was looking for individual remaining floating tanks T-37 A, T-38 and T-40 to cross the Swir River. It was precisely these outdated tanks that ensured the success of the fighting there. The way led back, so to speak, to the origin, the T-40 amphibious tank.

The T-80 also offered numerous advantages: It was small, quiet and even the inexperienced, newly drafted soldiers could learn to drive quickly. With its large elevation range, it was a very good vehicle for city battles, and the tank could also return fire against enemy planes. In contrast to the T-34 , ammunition explosions were a rare occurrence and even damaged or even burned vehicles were successfully repaired, sometimes directly in the field. But the definitive lesson from the combat experience of World War II was that a light tank cannot form the main equipment of the armored forces under the condition of strong anti-tank defense. Its tactical role is limited to enemy tracking, infiltration, city battles, and reconnaissance. This idea has remained valid to this day.

Comparison with similar vehicles
Technical specifications	T-80	Pz.II Ausf. L Lynx	M3A1 Stuart	M14 / 41
Country	Soviet Union	German Empire	United States	Italy
Weight in tons:	11.6	11.9	12.9	14th
Overall length in m	4.3	4.6	4.5	4.9
Width over everything in m	2.4	2.5	2.2	2.2
Height in m	2.2	2.2	2.6	2.4
crew	3	4th	4th	4th
Year of construction (s)	1943	1942-44	1942-43	1942-43
Main armament:	45 mm, L46	20 mm, L55 or 50 mm L60	37 mm, L53	47 mm, L32
Secondary armament:	1 × 7.62mm machine gun	1 × 7.92 mm machine gun	3 x 7.62mm machine gun	3 × 8 mm MG
Grenades, piece:	94-100	330 (20 mm)	106	87
Gun ammunition shot:	1008	2250	7220	2592
Front armor in mm / slope	45/60 ° (below), 35/30 ° (above)	30/77 ° (below), 30/80 ° (above)	44 / arched (below), 38/73 ° (above)	30 / arched (below), 42/79 ° (above)
Side armor, inmm / inclination	25/90 °	20/90 °	25/90 °	25/90 ° and 25/81 °
Tower armor in mm	35	30 (front), 20 (side)	38 (front), 25 (side)	40 (front), 25 (side)
Engine type	Gasoline engine			Diesel engine
Power in hp	170	180	250	145
Power-to-weight ratio in hp / ton:	14.6	15.1	17.5	10.3
Maximum speed in km / h:	42	60	58	32
Driving range (road) in km:	320	290	220	200

Compared to the tanks of other countries in the weight class from 9 to 13 tons, the T-80 was better protected and armed than these, ergonomics, sighting devices and communications equipment were comparable to the most powerful representatives of its class (such as the Panzer II ).

In terms of technical data, the T-80 was comparable to the German light tank II of the late F version, the Italian medium tank M14 / 41 and the American light tank M3 (M5) Stuart . The latter was developed around the same time and also delivered to the Soviet armored forces under the Lend Lease Agreement. The T-80 reached a lower top speed; Armament and armor were approximately equivalent (with better performance of the 45 mm shell); The gun's travel range and elevation range showed better values.

Received vehicles

The only T-80 that has survived to this day is exhibited in the Kubinka Tank Museum near Moscow . The exhibit is not roadworthy.

Additional information

literature

• А. Г. Солянкин и др .: Советские малые и лёгкие танки 1941–1945 . Цейхгауз, Moscow 2006, ISBN 5-94038-113-8 .
  (Russian and in Cyrillic script; German: AG Soljankin and others: The Soviet small and light tanks 1941–1945 .)
• М. Н. Свирин, М. В. Коломиец: Лёгкий танк Т-70. [Фронтовая иллюстрация] . альманах 2006, No. 5, ISBN 5-901266-01-3 .
  (Russian and in Cyrillic script; German: Michail N. Swirin, MW Kolomietz: Leichter Panzer T-70. [Front illustration] . Almanach 2006, No. 5.)
• М. Н. Свирин: Броневой щит Сталина. История советского танка 1937–1943 . Eksmo et al. a., Moscow 2007, ISBN 978-5-699-16243-7 .
  (Russian and in Cyrillic script; Russian: Michail N. Swirin: Bronewoj schtschit Stalina. Istorija sovetskogo tanka 1937–1943 , series: Sowetskie tanki ; German: Mikhail N. Svirin: The armored shield of Stalin. The history of the Soviet Tanks 1937–1943 .)
• М. Н. Свирин: Стальной кулак Сталина. История советского танка 1943–1955 . Eksmo et al. a., Moscow 2007, ISBN 978-5-699-14628-4 .
  (Russian and in Cyrillic script; Russian: Michail N. Swirin: Stal'noj kulak Stalina. Istorija sowetskogo tanka 1943–1955 , series: Sowetskie tanki ; German: Michail N. Swirin: Stalin's steel fist. The story of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 .)

Web links

Commons : T-80  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

• ArmorSite: Light tank T-80 (corresponds to description in: AG Soljankin et al .: The Soviet small and light tanks 1941–1945 . Moscow 2006, ISBN 5-94038-113-8 .) (Russian and in Cyrillic script)
• ArmorSite: Light tank T-80 (corresponds to description in: Michail N. Swirin: The steel fist of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 . Eksmo et al., Moscow 2007, ISBN 978-5-699-14628-4 .) ( Russian and Cyrillic script)

See also

• Soviet military vehicles of World War II

Individual evidence

• ( S ) Mikhail N. Swirin: The armored shield of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1937–1943 .

1. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The armored shield of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1937–1943 , p. 357
2. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The armored shield of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1937–1943 , pp. 426 and 431
3. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The armored shield of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1937–1943 , p. 179
4. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The armored shield of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1937–1943 , p. 350
5. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The armored shield of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1937–1943 , p. 185
6. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The armored shield of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1937–1943 , p. 283

• ( F ) Michail N. Swirin: The steel fist of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 .

1. ↑ ^{a b} Michail N. Swirin: Stalin's steel fist. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 , p. 40
2. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The steel fist of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 , p. 41
3. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h} M. N. Swirin: The steel fist of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955. (soot.)
4. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The steel fist of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 , p. 230
5. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The steel fist of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 , p. 37.
6. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The steel fist of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 , pp. 231 and 232.
7. ↑ Mikhail N. Swirin: The steel fist of Stalin. The history of the Soviet tanks 1943–1955 , p. 229.

• ( P ) AG Soljankin u. a .: The Soviet small and light tanks 1941–1945 .

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q} A. G. Soljankin et al: The Soviet small and light tanks 1941–1945. (soot.)
2. ↑ AG Soljankin include: The Soviet small and light armored 1941-1945 , p 22
3. ↑ ^{a b} A. G. Soljankin and others: The Soviet small and light tanks 1941–1945 , p. 44
4. ↑ AG Soljankin include: The Soviet small and light armored 1941-1945 , p.23

• ( T ) Michail N. Swirin, MW Kolomietz: Light tank T-70 .

1. ↑ ^{a b} M. N. Swirin, MW Kolomietz: Light tank T-70. In: Front illustration. No. 5, 2006, (Russian)
2. ^ MN Swirin, MW Kolomietz: Light tank T-70. In: Front illustration. No. 5, Almanac 2006, (Russian)
3. ↑ M. Swirin, M. Kolomietz: Light tank T-70. In: Front illustration. No. 5, Strategija KM, Moscow 2006, ISBN 5-901266-01-3 .

Remarks

1. ↑ These are added by some authors to the total number of series production at Mytishchi, which explains the sometimes higher figures in the literature.
2. ↑ The Mk.III Valentine infantry tank was one of the light tanks in the Red Army
3. ↑ ^{a b} Fire panel of the 45 mm anti-tank gun M1932 (M1937). Hauptartillerieamt, Moscow, 1943 (Russian Таблицы стрельбы 45-мм противотанковой пушки обр. 1932 и обр. 1937. Главное артилелерийсрое Му. These 45 mm anti-tank guns had the same external ballistics as the 20 km combat vehicle gun.
4. ↑ The 12RT car radio system was fully compatible in terms of frequency ranges with the 9R tank radio system . For the technical data of the 9R see here (russ.)
5. ↑ Photo of the T-80 with the WT-43 cannon
6. ↑ The T-80 and T-70 were equivalent, In: MN Swirin, MW Kolomietz: Leichter Panzer T-70. In: Front illustration. No. 5, 2006, russ.

This article was added to the list of excellent articles on April 5, 2008 in this version .