The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - Tankettes Part III (Russian) - Nov. 23rd, 2004

The Russian Battlefield ^

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

.................................................................. .................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
to add the Foxhole to your sidebar,
click on the books below.

The T-27 Tankette

One of the first tankettes was developed by Englishman Major J. Martel. In his own repair shop, he constructed his tankette from spare parts and elements of common cars. It was a single-seat vehicle with very light armor protection, and was armed with one machine-gun. In trials, the tankette achieved a speed of 24 km/h.

Almost simultaneously, a small single-seat tankette was developed by another Englishman, engineer J. Carden, in which the driver was in a prone position. The first tankettes were full of various defects and imperfections and none of them were put into mass production.


The original British Mk.IV Carden-Lyod armed with the 7.92mm Vickers

Taking into account the defects of the first tankettes, engineers started working on two-seater vehicles, which were ready by 1927. The two-seater variant was chosen because engineers doubted that one person would be able to act as driver, machine-gunner, and observer simultaneously.

The most successful tankette was a two-seater that went through numerous modifications and improvements and was finally accepted for service in 1929 under the "Mk IV Carden-Loyd" designation. It was manufactured by Vickers-Armstrong. The tankette was quite popular, and it was sold to sixteen countries all over the world, including Poland, Italy, Czechoslovakia, France, Japan, Canada, Belgium and Egypt.


The MK.IV Carden-Lyod

By the mid 1920's, France paid little attention to the development of light tankettes. However, the obvious success of the English attracted their attention and compelled French engineers to start their own work on tankettes. In 1929, they developed the single-seated tankette called the "Sabat." This vehicle was intended to be transported by a truck, and in battle it ran on its tracks. The tankette was operated by a driver who was in the prone position. During a non-combat situation, the driver could operate the tankette in a sitting posture. France received a license to manufacture the Carden-Loyd, and this defined the future development of French tankettes. For example, in 1933, the "supply tank" Renault UE was developed, and later it was converted to a common tankette.


The Italian C.V.29 (former Carden-Loyd) armed with the 6.5-mm Fiat Mod.14 machine-gun.

Italy received a license for the Mk IV as well, and then manufactured it under the designation C.V.29 where the "29" stood for the year it was accepted for service. These vehicles were used quite intensively during the Spanish Civil War. Poland developed its own reconnaissance tank TK-3 (1931) and then the TKS (1934) which were copied from the original Carden-Loyd. The Czech developed and manufactured the MU-4 tankette.

In Russia, the very first tankette project was independently developed in 1919 by the Russian engineer I. Maksimov. The tankette was named "Sh'itonoska" which meant "Shield Carrier." The vehicle was armed with one machine-gun and was operated by a single crewman who was in the prone position.


The T-23 experimental tankette.

By the end of the 1920's, new rules and regulations for the Red Army were introduced. The regulations defined the future development of the domestic armored fighting vehicles, and in particular they stipulated the "development and manufacture of a small reconnaissance tank" that was intended for co-operation with the MS-1 tanks as well as for reconnaissance and for communication purposes.

In the period of 1927 to 1930, the Design Bureau of the VOAO ("Vsesouznoe Orudijno-Arsenal'noe Ob'edinenie" - "All-Union Arsenal Association") designed several tankettes based on the chassis of the T-16 light tank: the T-17, the T-21 (only a paper project), the T-23, and the T-25 (paper project). The T-23 was designed in two variants: one with a turret, and the other turretless. The T-25 was a modernized variant of the T-17 tankette.


The K.Sirken's SP Gun based on the T-27. This variant armed with the 37-mm Hochkiss and the DT TMG. 1931

All of these vehicles were quite good for the time, although they had many flaws. These defects would have taken a lot of time to correct, and because of this, the idea came up to buy a license for the Carden-Loyd Mk IV. In 1930, the Soviet Union bought the first batch of 26 original Carden-Loyd tankettes from Britain. In the Soviet Union, these vehicles were re-named the 25-V (some archive documents name them the K-25). Also, the Soviet Union bought a license to mass produce these vehicles.


The front view of the K.Sirken's SP Gun. 1931

According to the production plan, in 1930 to 1931, 290 tankettes had to be manufactured, and after that 400 tankettes per year. The manufacture was set up in the Autozavod #2 VATO in Moscow (in 1932, this factory was renamed to Factory #37).


Another variant of the K.Sirken's SP Gun. 1931

iHowever, Soviet engineers weren't fully satisfied with the original Carden-Loyd tankette and before its mass production they significantly modernised it (the Chief Engineer was N. Kozyrev, and the Lead Engineer was K. Sirken). The hull's dimensions were increased, the running gear was improved, and the machine-gun mount was modified for the installation of a DT machine-gun. Some other improvements were made to take into account the USSR's geographic and climatic conditions and the Russian mindset.

Due to the modernisation, the new tankette was significantly changed from the British original, and that is why on February 13, 1931, it was accepted for service under the "T-27" designation. The T-27 was manufactured simultaneously in two factories: the Bolshevik factory in Leningrad, and the newly-built automobile factory in Nizhnij Novgorod (later it was named GAZ).


T-27 in order of the Kalinovsky Brigade. Summer 1933.

The hull of the T-27 was assembled of rolled-armor plates which were fastened by rivets and partially welded. On the roof there were two squared hatches. All joints of the armor plates were pressurised by canvas gaskets to increase the fording depth of the T-27. The tankette was armed with one 7.62 mm DT Machine-Gun Model 1929. The T-27 didn't have any internal and external communication devices, as communication between vehicles was supposed to be conducted through signal flags, which was typical for Soviet tanks of that time.

The vehicle was powered by the GAZ-AA water-cooled four-cylinder gasoline engine (copied from the Ford-AA) rated at 40 h.p at 220 rpm. The crew consisted of two men: the commander/machine-gunner and the driver.

The tankette was used for reconnaissance by mechanized forces of the Red Army. Until the end of 1932, 65 tankette battalions were formed, with about 50 tankettes per battalion. In the future, the number of those battalions was restricted to 23.


The summary output of the T-27.

At the inception of the Red Army's mechanised forces, the T-27 tankettes played a very important role, but later on, this role was reduced due to the development of more modern vehicles. By January 1, 1937, 2,547 T-27s remained in service.

In the beginning of the 1930's, T-27s were successfully used in Central Asia (in the Kara Kum Desert in particular) to combat the Basmach (the name for any anti-Bolshevik Asiatic natives). By the end of the 1930's, the T-27 was removed from Red Army front-line service, and thereafter used for training purposes. In addition, some tankettes were sent to the OSOAVIAKhIM (The Association for Assistance of Defense, Aircraft and Chemical Development). After some improvements, T-27s were used for towing battalion field guns (37-mm and 45-mm calibres).

By January 1, 1941, 2,157 T-27 tankettes remained in service, and some of them took part in the initial stages of the Great Patriotic War. The last mentioned combat use of T-27s was during the Battle for Moscow (winter 1941-42): on December 1, 1941, some T-27 tankettes supported the attack of the 71st Independent Marine Brigade in the Yakhroma area.


T-27s on the military parade in Moscow.

The army found that the T-27 was very simple and undemanding in operation. However, due to its narrow tracks, the tankette wasn't effective in swamps and snowy terrain. The dimensions of the T-27 were so small that only shorter men could get in it. Moreover, experience showed that the lack of a traversing turret and an ability to swim across rivers was a hinderance. Later, these features were realised in the T-37 and the T-38 light tanks.

The Soviets tried to enlarge the tactical abilities of the T-27. For example, in 1933, a small batch of self-propelled 37-mm Hochkiss guns was manufactured by the Bolshevik factory in Leningrad. These SP guns were based on the chassis of the T-27. Some of those vehicles were additionally armed with the DT machine-gun. Because the vehicle was very small, the ammunition load was located separately in the tracked trailer that was towed behind the vehicle.

In 1932, one T-27 was rearmed with a flamethrower (the flamethrower had a range of 25 metres). This vehicle was tested in 1932, and in 1935 a batch of 164 flamethrower tankettes was produced. Combat records for these vehicles are not yet available.


The SP-Gun with the 76-mm Gun KT-27

In 1933 to 1934, the Special Design Bureau of the Krasniy Putilovetz factory designed a self-propelled gun in which the 76.2 mm KT gun was mounted on the T-27's chassis. The gun was carried by one vehicle, and the crew and ammunition were transported in a second vehicle. The project and five experimental vehicles were intended for support of Red Army motorised troops.

The gun was either mounted in the open or was protected by an armored shield (like common field guns). However, the chassis was overloaded, and the new vehicle was unable to run off-road because its engine quickly overheated. Further work was cancelled.


The T-27 armed with the Kurchevsky's 76-mm recoilless gun

In 1933, a self-propelled gun armed with Kurchevsky's 76-mm recoilless gun was developed. The vehicle successfully passed all tests on the proving ground and was sent to the army's trials which it failed because of the poor ballistics of the gun. The gun was also unstable when it fired and it was unsafe to operate.

Grokhovsky's Design Bureau also developed a tankette armed with two unguided missiles. These missiles were located on both sides of the hull.

Several T-27s were pressurised and supplied with special equipment for underwater river crossings.


The T-27 being transported by the TB-3 bomber

In March of 1930, ordered by M. N. Tukhachevsky, the first motorised airborne forces were formed. Initially, the troops were equipped with MS-1 light tanks, but later on they were replaced with T-27 tankettes. The troops consisted of four battalions. By 1933, each battalion included one company of T-27 tankettes.

In 1935, T-27's were transported by TB-1 and TB-3 bombers during military manoeuvers. The tankettes were suspended under the planes by a special mechanism developed by engineer A. F. Kravtzev.

[SAMWolf]

The T-17 Tankette

According to three-year program of tank building, before December of 1930, the "plan minimum" called for a production, of a battalion of "support pulemetka", that's how tankettes were called in that document. So in 1926, starts working on a project of light, one seat reconnaissance tank "Lilliputian". The project was well balanced, but it needed a development of a special chassis and engine.

T-17 Tankette. The very first vehicle with metal tracks

The project was attempted to accomplish many times, but it did not progress any further than its discussion on various levels. On March 3, 1928, chief of Engine Laboratory A.P. Kushka along with L. J. Lalmen, as well as engineers S.A. Ginzburgh and E. Grote offered a project of the new tankette. As a base for it, they used elements of a running gear and a transmission of the prototype T-16 Close-Support Tank. Armor hull from tank "Lilliputian" was used. It was powered by the two-cylinder air-cooling engine, being as though "half" of engine T-16. The tracks were made of rubber and metal.

The hull of the tankette, which have received index Ò-17 (frequently called, as the predecessor, "Lilliputian"), was riveted on a frame. Driver was seated in the compartment, at same time acting as a machine-gunner; the machine-gun was offset to the right side (there also was a cannon version of the tankette).

Second prototype with rubber-metal tracks

Production of the prototype of T-17 was delayed, and it was ready only in autumn of 1929. Despite of technical faults, its driving characteristics were tested first in January of 1930, and later in June of the same year. It proved better mobility, than that of T-18 tank, however one of its biggest shortcomings was the fact that it was one-manned. Because of that, one of the three tankettes, ordered by summer 1930, had to have two-man crew. Second prototype of T-17 had rubber tracks of "Kergess" type. Mass production of T-17 was thought to be inexpedient, and a decision was made to continue work on a two-man tankette with use of standard units from T-18.

[SAMWolf]

The T-21 and T-23 Tankettes


T-23 Tankette

In 1929-1930's a project of tankette T-21 is started, becoming a logical continuation of T-17 Tankette. T-21 was classified as a "Small Reconnaissance Tankette", and closely resembled T-17, except that it had two-man crew, increased armor (13 mm) and support wheels from T-18 Escort Tank. The engine of power 20 h.p, and transmission were borrowed from Ò-17. However at this stage of development, its estimated speed of its movement and the characteristic of overcoming obstacles appeared insufficient; so the project wasn't authorized.


Initial Project of the T-23

In 1930, on an assignment of RKKA headquarters, and considering experience with T-17, works begin on a new two-men crew tankettes T-22 and T-23, classified as "large reconnaissance tankettes". Their difference was in the engine: T-22 was planned with original four-cylinder engine, and T-23 with the engine from tank T-20. Also, the difference was in location of crewmembers: on T-22 they were placed one after another, and on T-23 - in a row. Each project had its own strengths and weaknesses, but T-23 was chosen for production, as more economic and simple to build. First prototype of T-23 had a hull of simple metal and engine from T-18 (40 h.p.), but for second prototype a special modified engine of not yet finished T-20 was used, and four more were ordered. All tankettes were produced on 2nd Automobile Factory VATO (director - S.F. Ivanov), and works on T-23 were carried out in surprisingly short time and good quality.


T-23 that was actually built

During the production, tankette underwent countless technical modifications, which had almost completely changed it. Its length was increased by almost 300 mm. Instead of basic and supporting wheels from Ò-18, those of Ò-19 tank were used. A new facilitated track, with a new driving wheel was implemented, as old ones did not provide a speed of 40 km/h. However, even with the involved improvements, the tankette was unsatisfactory, since its price was almost that of the tank T-18, and in a version with a turret, even surpassed it (over 59 thousand rubles without armaments!), which did not allow for its mass production in required numbers. If the three-year program on support tanks had even surpassed its plan, for tankettes it was not even completed, which made it necessary to purchase a license for production of British tankette "VCL" (Vickers Carden-Loyd) to satisfy.


T-23 Tankette

Additional Sources:

www.nemo.nu

[SAMWolf]

T-33

The T-33 was a prototype of a light amphibious tank. It was based upon the Carden-Loyd tankettes (T-27) purchased from England. The only unit was completed in 1932 designated "Morskoi 33".

It had a 360 degree moving turret placed in the centre line of the hull, and a crew of two men, whose only weapon was a machine gun. The speed (on land only) was quite good. In 1933 a second unit, fully amphibious and with new suspension, became the T-37.

[GeronL]

These threads kill me. I have dial-up. This thread will take several minutes if not more to load.

Say... You wouldn't know where to find that cool military aviation art would you??

[GeronL]

Why does this look like they're about to race in go-karts that look like toy tanks???

[SAMWolf]

Morning GenonL

I remember the old dial up days, they were frustrating on heavy graphic threads.

One of the good Aviation Art sites

[alfa6]

A Tankette bump for Treadhead Tuesday

Hi manna

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[SAMWolf]

Why does this look like they're about to race in go-karts that look like toy tanks???

LOL! They remind me of the toy wind-up tanks from Japan I had as a kid.

[SAMWolf]

Morning alfa6.

Being a Capitalist pig is hard work ;-)

[GeronL]

Thanks for the link

[snippy_about_it]

"FALL IN" to the FReeper Foxhole!



It's TreadHead Tuesday!


Good Morning Everyone

If you would like added to our ping list let us know.
If you'd like to drop us a note you can write to:

The Foxhole
19093 S. Beavercreek Rd. #188
Oregon City, OR 97045

[snippy_about_it]

Free Republic Treadhead Ping





mostly cajun ;archy; Gringo1; Matthew James; Fred Mertz; Squantos; colorado tanker; The Shrew; SLB; Darksheare; BCR #226; IDontLikeToPayTaxes; Imacatfish; Tailback; DCBryan1; Eaker; Archangelsk; gatorbait; river rat; Lee'sGhost; Dionysius; BlueLancer; Frohickey; GregB; leadpenny; skepsel; Proud Legions; King Prout; Professional Engineer; alfa6; bluelancer; Cannoneer No.4; An Old Man; hookman; DMZFrank; in the Arena; Bethbg79; neverdem; NWU Army ROTC; ma bell; MoJo2001; The Sailor; dcwusmc; dts32041; spectr17; Rockpile; Theophilus;


************Snippy, I bequeath to you the FR TH PL.

148 posted on 08/24/2004 11:39:45 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

Hi Cannoneer, we hope this finds you well. ;-)

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning everyone!
WOO HOO ThreadHead Tuesday!

[GailA]

Good morning All..another wet, rainey morning here in Memphis. A day meant for coffee.

[alfa6]

Being a Capitalist pig is hard work ;-)

November Sierra Sierra

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

PS... I ran fast food resturants for about 20 years :-(

[soldierette]

Yes! More tankettes, SAMWolf, you made my day. I'm going to be full of fun facts and information today and an annoyance to everyone I talk to.

"Support Pulemetka" and "Lilliputian," I love it! I looked up pulemetka but its not in any of the dictionaries I found on line, darn!

[The Mayor]

November 23, 2004

"Just As I Am"

Read: John 6:35-40

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. —John 6:37

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 20-21; James 5

---

Charlotte Elliott learned an important lesson about Jesus one sleepless night in 1834. She was an invalid, so when her family held a bazaar in Brighton, England, to raise money to build a school, she could only watch from afar.

That night she was overwhelmed by her helplessness and could not sleep. But her sadness turned to joy when she realized that God accepted her just as she was.

Her experience inspired these well-loved words: "Just as I am, without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!" When she published the poem in The Invalid's Hymn Book, she included with it John 6:37.

Jesus always accepts people as they are. In John 6, the people had come from miles around to hear Jesus. When the crowd became hungry, He miraculously fed them with a boy's unselfish gift of five loaves and two fish. Then the Lord offered Himself as "the bread of life," promising that He would not turn away anyone who came to Him.

It's still true today. No one who comes to Jesus will be turned away. Come to Him with all your sin. He'll accept you just as you are. —Dave Egner

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come! —Elliott

No one is too good or too bad to be saved.

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies. Flag-o-gram.