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Posted on 10/18/2004 11:26:14 PM PDT by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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 The most common models of BT-tanks were the BT-2, BT-5 and BT-7. The BT-tanks design was based on the American Christie tank design. Russians received design plans for Christie tank, in the early part of thirties. The first BT-2 tanks were ready in 1931 and they participated to the revolution parade.  BT-7 light tanks on the Moscow military parade. November 7, 1938. In 1933 the Russians started to produce better model of the BT-2 tank. This was the BT-5 tank. The BT-7 tank production began in 1934 and lasted all the way to 1940. Over 7 800 of these BT-tanks were produced. Only factory in Soviet Union that produced this tank model, was the engine factory in Kharkov.  BT-tanks were very fast. They could move either with tracks and reach a speed of 52 kilometers per hour, or they could move only with wheels and reach a speed of 72 kilometers per hour! Although the wheel movement option wasn't really used anywhere else, than in military parades, because the tracks couldn't be changed back on, while under fire from the enemy. BT-tanks also had a very good suspension, which meant that the tank crew could drive with high speeds even outside of the roads.  The BT-7 light tank. Summer 1942 The Red Army used BT-tanks for the first time in the Spanish civil war. The armor of the tank proved to be too light. In Winter War there were also many BT-tanks, but they didn't perform too well. Finnish forces also captured many BT-7 and BT-7 M tanks during the Winter War and even few more, during the Continuation War. When the Germans attacked to Soviet Union, the BT-tank was second most common tank in the Red Army, after T-26. Most of the tanks were destroyed during the summer battles of 1941, but some of them survived and were in service as late as 1945, when Soviet Union attacked against Japanese troops in far-east.  BT-5 - BT stands for: Bystrohodnyi tank, meaning a fast-tank. BT-1  BT-1 The BT-1 was a conform copy of the orignal tank T-3, build by the American Christie and bought by the Russians. Few units of the BT-1 were built since it was quickly replaced by the BT-2. The BT-1 had spoked road-wheels and a turret with 2 MG. BT-2  The BT-2 armed with one machine-gun The BT-2 took over all the characteristics of its predecessor, the BT-1 but exchanged the MG's in the turret with a 37 mm gun.  BT-2 with the 45 mm gun and the machine-gun The BT-2 was the first version built in sizeable numbers. It was issued to cavalry units, of which the mission was to penetrate deep behind the enemy lines to destroy stores, gun positions, lines of communication, etc... During those missions, the speed and the range of the BT (fast tank) were essential. BT-3  BT-3 Very similar to the BT-1, the gun instead of the MG in the turret allows to distinguish between the two. The spoked road-wheels, used on the BT-2, will be abandonned on the BT-3 while the gun will be bigger. The BT-3 prepared the next series of the BT tank, with a 4.5 cm gun replacing the 3.7 mm of the BT-2. Only few units were built Similar to the BT-2 but without the spokes of the road-wheels and a bigger gun. BT-4 None units of this series of the BT were built. The two turrets layout of the T-26A was to be installed. The project was quickly dropped BT-42  BT-42 in Finnish service Self propelled gun Nationality: Finland Finnish adaptation of captured Russian tanks BT to make self-propelled guns out of them. BT-5  BT-5 That is the series of BT with the highest production numbers. It received the 4.5 cm gun which the BT-2 missed. The tank saw first action in Spain in 1938 on the Republican side and was engaged later against the Japanese in Manchouria. Its penetration abilities were highly valued in both cases. As all the BT tanks, the BT-5 could circulate either on tracks or on wheels. In fact, the tank could only be used on tracks in the combat areas, because it had no off road abilities on wheels and the change required too much time. The announced top speed was thus purely theoritical. Even the top speed on tracks submitted the crew to such discomfort, that it could scarcely be maintained.  BT-5 There are two sub-variants of this tank: one with the turret of the BT-2, without overhang. The standard version got a turret close to the one of the BT-7, with a overhang and straight sides. The full road-wheels make the distinction with the BT-2 easy while the bolted hull differs from the BT-7. BT-7  BT-7 The BT-7 is the last version of the BT tank. New tracks improved reliability while a more powerful engine and larger fuel tank increased the range. The armour was thickened. The price to pay, a slight decrease in the top speed, had very little practical impact. It was still able to run faster than 50 kph. Engaged successfully in Spain and in Mandchuria, it sustained a costly defeat facing the Finns, while it was used as an infantry tank, a role in total contradiction with its architecture. It went on fighting until the end of 1941 and took part in the battle for Moscow. Fron 1942 onwards, it disappeared from the frontline.  The turret of the first version of the BT-7 was similar to the one of the BT-5. The two tanks can only be distinguished thanks to their construction method: welding for the BT-7, riveting and visible bolts for the BT-5. A second version, the BT-7/2 got a reinforced turret with sloped sides and a another design for the mantlet.
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HUGS, duckie/sw
Latest weather forcast is rain for the next two weeks with slight breaks in between
I've found very few accounts of them using the wheels except in demonstrations.
Thanks for the bump shield. :-)
Morning stand watie.
Free Dixie.
Valin, I noticed that today was the date of the death of Martha Raye. I alway's liked her appearances on TV when I was a kid . One of the very few female 'clowns'. Here is some interesting info on her.
Received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1988.
Died of pneumonia at Cedars Sinai Medical Center at 1:45pm; by 2pm Harris had her body en route to a mortuary. She also suffered from Alzheimers, cataracts and liver disease, and had lost both legs the year before her death due to circulatory problems.
Married last husband Mark Harris - an admitted bisexual - after knowing him for less than a month. He was 42; she was 75.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 1993 by President Bill Clinton.
Had so little formal schooling, her scripts had to be read to her.
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was given to Raye in 1969 for her work with charities and entertaining U.S. troops; her estate gave it to the Friars Club in 1997 where she was its first female honorary member.
Daughter by Condos, Melodye Raye Condos, born 26th July 1944
Buried in Fort Bragg, NC
Had a temporary falling out with daughter Melodye when Melodye had her father cremated against Martha's wishes.
Martha left the bulk of her estate to Mark Harris, but left some money to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Harris spent a portion of his money designing a line of furs.
Martha Raye had a life long fear of flying, but because of her profession was required to make numerous air trips, which she could muster only after drinking herself into a near alcoholic stuper. Her drinking and conduct during these periods ended up with a number of airlines refusing her service particularly on her many trips into the Miami, Florida area which was a favored vacation spot.
Was an honorary Green Beret. Visited U.S. Army Special Forces in Vietnam without fanfare. Registered nurse Lt. Colonel, helped out when things got bad in Special Forces A-Camps. Affectionately known by Green Berets as "Colonel Maggie."
One time band vocalist with the Paul Ash and Boris Morros orchestras in the early 30s.
Once attended the Professional Children's School in New York.
Performed in a family act called "Reed and Hooper" (their parents' names) with brother Bud. Martha (whose real name was Margaret) and Bud so consistently stole the show that the name of the act was eventually changed to "Bud and Margie."
Following the demise of her TV variety show, the breakup of her fifth marriage, and a series of other personal problems, she attempted suicide with sleeping pills on August 14, 1956. After her recovery she always wore a St. Christopher's medal, a St. Genesius medal and a Star of David given to her by wellwishers. At the end of her TV programs she also would say "Good night, Sisters," a reference to The Sisters of St. Francis Hospital in Miami where she recovered.
Born backstage at a local vaudeville theatre in Butte, Montana where her song-and-dance Irish immigrant parents Pete Reed and Mabelle Hooper were performing. Two days after Martha was born, her mother was back doing the act.
You're very welcome, Sam. ;o)
Sounded like an interesting idea though.
In theory.
But theory only lasts so long when confronted with reality in combat.
You could take the treads off that thing and run on the wheels?? I guess that's why they call 'em "road wheels"??
Hey radu. They don't seem to get storms like we did (and you do still)back east. We just get clouds, cool air and steady rains. It's like fall weather with light spring rains. Pretty nice. The change of the seasons is always bad where you are. Stay safe.
Good morning Aeronaut.
Morning EGC. Another overcast day.
Good morning alfa6.
And help us rise above despair
Amen.
Keep Kerry out of office, too!
Nice looking planes. Thanks alfa6.
LOL. Now that you mention it.
Good morning dear Colonel.
There's our tankette. Good morning feather.
And good morning to you, dear friend! How have you been?
Nice Marine flag-o-gram. Thanks PE.
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