Sunday 9 March 2014

Up-Armoured BTs in the Far East

In a previous article, I briefly mentioned a BT-7 with additional armour. Not many details were available at the time, but Yuri Pasholok found some.

"Results of trials of the BT-7 tank with armour screens, over the period of March 18-28, 1944

The trials were performed on a BT-7 #0189-2 from the 203rd Tank Brigade with screens, radio, and a small link track. The tank's engine worked for 28 hours and 27 minutes since the last major repairs.

The armour screens made the tank heavier by 1.5 tons. The tank was tested with 100% of its combat loadout and 3 crewmen. The route and conditions of trials are listed in the trials journal, which is attached.

The trials were performed over 843 km (380 km on a highway, 463 on a dirt road, off-road, and on obstacles). The engine worked for 33 hours and 10 minutes.

As a result of trials, it was discovered that:
  1. There is enough fuel in the main tanks to travel 322 km without refueling.
  2. Due to the increased weight of the tank, it moves after 500-600 revolutions of the engine at first gear (earlier, 400 revolutions). On dirt roads of unsatisfactory quality, the front of the tank shakes significantly in the vertical plane, which makes controlling the tank difficult and limits the speed of movement. It is possible to move at 8-12 kph in first or second gear in the medium usage mode.
  3. After two hours of nonstop motion and a total 120 km march over 5 hours with two stops (for inspection), the temperature of the engine and transmission components is normal.
  4. At a speed of under 30 kph, engine RPM of less than 1650, and the unit mass of KB-70 gasoline at 0.765, and external temperature of -10 degrees, an average of 33.8 kg of gasoline is used in an hour.
    Lubrication of parts was performed using the standard table of lubrication for a BT-7 tank, and provides normal operation of all tank components.
  5. The increased weight does not affect the turret turning mechanism significantly. At a tilt of 25 degrees, the mechanism still allows for normal rates of turning, and allows for firing on the move.
  6. The increased weight does not impede the ability of the BT to overcome obstacles.
  7. An external inspection and inspection of the disassembled transmission and suspension components revealed that they were completely functional. (See the post-trials technical inspection act).
Conclusions:
  1. Trials of the BT-7 tank with additional armour screens shows that the BT-7's combat and technical characteristics are not harmed. A screened BT-7 is a viable vehicle, and usable in combat in the Far East theater.
  2. Due to the tank's increased weight, it is necessary to increase the norm of gasoline consumption from 28 kg per hour to 30 kg per hour."

1 comment:

  1. I would love to see a screened BT-7 in WoT. Maybe as a premium?

    ReplyDelete