BT tank

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(Redirected from BT-2)


General Characteristics (BT-5)
Length:	5.7 m
Width:	2.1 m
Height:	2.2 m
Weight:	11.5 tons
Speed:	53 km/h (road) - (off-road)
Range:	375 km
Primary armament:	45 mm gun
Secondary armament:	one or two 7.62 mm machine guns
Power plant:
Crew:	3

The Bystrochodniy Tank, was a series of Soviet light tanks which were produced between 1931 and 1940.

Production History

In 1931 two experimental Christie tanks were purchased from the US. The first prototypes BT-1s appeared in August 1931. These were almost copies of the Christie design. Only a few BT-1s were built. In September 1931 the production of the BT-2 started. The BT-2s were equipped with 37 mm gun and one to three machine guns. The BT-3 and later models were equipped with a 45 mm gun.

Variants

BT-1 - Prototype
BT-2 - Production model 1931.
BT-3 - With a 45 mm gun.
BT-4 - Infantry support variant with machine guns.
BT-5 - Main production model 1933 (1884 made).
BT-7 - Main production model 1935 (5328 made).
BT-42 - Finnish assault gun, captured BT-7s were equipped with British 114mm howitzers.

Combat History

Some BT-5s saw action on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War. Also fought against Japan in 1939 and Finland during the Winter War (mainly BT-2 and BT-5). BT-5 and BT-7 took part in 1941 battles of the WWII, then most of them were abandoned, destroyed or replaced by more modern T-34 tanks.