First Soviet tanks 1919-1930

1. «Renault Russian»
2. T-16
3. T-18/1927
4. T-18/1930
5. T-19
6. T-18 chemical
7. OT-1
8. T-18/1933
9. T-18M/1938
10. T-18 fortress
11. T-12
12. T-24

  SPECIFICATION  

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Small infantry tanks

1. Russian Renault Ðóññêèé

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The first tank, constructed in USSR on the factory «Krasnoe Sormovo» (Niznio Novgorod). Referred to as "Reno Russian", and also "Reno Sormovskogo zavoda", "Reno with engine FIAT".

December 1919 brigade of the designers of a factory «Krasnoe Sormovo» at participation of the French experts Dem and Rozieur the drawings of the tank were made. The technology was developed by the engineer F.Nefedov. The engine was made on a factory AMO on a sample of the engine of the automobile «FIAT». Supervised over work Armored Management of GVIU. In supervision over construction of tanks the commisar of TCENTROBRON I.Gaugel was busy. The assembly of tanks was supervised by the foremen Tchepurnov, Volkov and Jastrebov.

The first tank of a series from 15 machines has received a name «Borec za svobodu, Tov. Lenin » and was ready on August 31, 1920. A series from 15 tanks was handed over Armored Management of GVIU in May 1921. All made tanks had own names. In battles of Civil war of participation did not accept. Consist on arms Auto-armored Groups of Red Army from 1921 to 1929, Officially were removed from service by the order in April 1930

2. Small infantry tank T-16

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The development of the tank is begun in 1925 under the initiative S.Shukalov. The designing was conducted in free from main work time in a counterbalance to the project GUVP. The project was submitted in September 1926 on a session of tank meeting of a head-quarters RKKA, management GUVP and Orudijno-Arsenalnogo trust (OAT). By common voting the project was recognized the most successful and OAT has received the official order for its development and manufacturing.

The special engine for the tank has developed A.Mikulin, transmission - V.Zaslavsky, the suspension of the tank was projected by group under a management I.Magdesiev.

Tests of the tank passed in March 1927, but the tank them has not maintained. The tank was not accepted on service, and was transferred to Leningrad's District, where was on the educational machine. Arms this tank had not. The last mentions of its presence in troopses concern by summer 1933

3. MS-1 (T-18) 1927

Pre-production T-18
T-18 early type

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Is created from T-16 in the spring 1927. The body of the tank was lengthened, in it chassis was added one road wheel from each side, the tank has received the improved engine of the second sample and new springs. Manufacturing the reference tank was completed in May 1927

Governmental tests passed near Moscow, in region st..Nemchinovka on June 11-17, 1927 and were finished successfully. The tank was accepted on service under the name "Small tank of support sample 1927. MS-1 (T-18)".

Serial production of the tank was begun on February 1, 1928 on a factory «Bolshevik ». A Company of tanks T-18 (9 machines) has accepted participation in battle actions on KVZD in November 1929. In 1929-30 tank was subjected to partial modernization.


4. MS-1 (T-18) 1930

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In 1929 tank T-18 was modified. The task was increase speed of a movement of the tank, to strengthen arms and to reduce the price.

Into the tank have established the new engine by capacity of 40 hp and 4-th Gearbox. A new drive sprocketl and tracks as "Eagle talon" were added. Was planned to establish in the tank new 37-mm a gun with long barrel and radiostation. For this purpose on the tank have put a new tower. But the gun was not ready in time and on the tank there was the former arms. The radiostations were made, but they did not manage to be placed on the place.

Tests of modernized T-18 have shown, that its speed has not reached planned size. But the tank was accepted on a service under an index " Light infantry tank MS-1 (T-18) sample 1930» The tank was in mass production on a factory "Bolshevik" and "Motovilikha- Machine-building factory" up to the end 1931. On a service of RKKA MS-1 was in some divisions up to 1938. Then by the order of Narkom of Defence all tanks were handed over on warehouses. Some of tanks T-18 have accepted participation in battles of the Second World War in 1941-42.


5. Main infantry tank T-19

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Is developed by The main Design Office of Orudiyno-Arsenalny Trust (GKB OAT) and design bureau of a factory «Bolshevik » on demand of "System tanks- tractors- auto-armour- armaments of RKKA" 1929. The task was received on September 15, 1929. By the main designer of the project was nominated S.A.Ginzburg.

The task on T-19 was very inconsistent. The tank should have weight no more than 7 t, good armouring, strong arms, large speed and manoeuvrability. It should bear the equipment for war in poisoned atmosphere, to float and should have very low cost (to ensure mass production).

The work with the tank went for long time because of constant changes in the project. On these changes the militarians insisted. But the main reason of a refusal from manufacture of the tank has become its high price, which did not allow to make 7000 tanks in two years (plans of equipment RKKA by tanks). After purchasing in Great Britain of the documentation on "Vickers 6-ton", the works with Ò-19 were stopped. In spite of the fact that the British tank had the lower battle characteristics, than Ò-19, it was cheaper and consequently has liked of High head-quarters of Red Army.


6. T-18 chemical

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In December 1930 one tank Ò-18 was handed in Military Chemical management. There under the project of the engineers of Institute of Chemical Defence Prigorodski and Kalinin this tank was equipped by the device for a contamination of terrain and statement of smoke-veils. The same device could be applied to clearing district of poisoning substances.

The device consist of a cylinder of capacity of 60,5 litres, in which under large pressure there was the special substance, and yet of a spray with sone sprayers. The equipment was established on a tail of the tank and had weight152 kg.

The chemical tank could for 8-8,5 minutes infect a terrain with extent 1,6-1,7 km. The experience with the tank proceeded till 1934. On arms the tank was not accepted.


7. T-18 flamentrowing tank (OT-1)

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During experience with chemical Ò-18, in the summer 1931, the Institute of a Chemical defence has made first flametrowing tank. The tank has received the name OT-1 and was similar to the chemical tank.

The can with a combustible mix of black oil and kerosene and cylinder of compressed air stood on a tail, and fire-pump placed instead of a gun.

To not complicate a design of the tank at a tower have limited a corner of turn by sector 60 - 80 deg. On tests the range of throwing of a burning mix has made 30-35 meters and could be much increased.

The experience with the tank were carried out during a year and were recognized successful. The decision on creation of the special tank for chemical war and flametrowing was accepted.


8. T-18 with Ò-26 chassis

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In 1933 attempt to improve the characteristics T-18 by change it chassis. For this purpose the experienced tank with a suspension and tracks of Ò-26 was created.

The tests of the experienced tank have begun on May 19 1933, but were finished unsuccessfully. The new chassis made large loading on the weak engine of the tank. And unsuccessful arrangement of road wheels resulted to their wedged during a movement.

The tank could not move on the third gear even on an ideally equal highway.


9. T-18M 1938

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In 1937 High Head-quarters a problem on modernization all being available on a service and in storage out-of-date samples AFV was put. Mainly it concerned to tanks T-18.

The works to improvement T-18 were carried out by a Moscow factory N37 names Ordzonikidze. In the tank the engine GAZ-M1, Gearbox and radiator of the tank T-38 was established. In addition from T-38 were taken board-frictions, return-roller and sprocket. Tracks of T-18 were narrowing. The turret of this tank was altered to reduce weight of the tank and to reduce its height.

The tests have passed unsuccessfully. The militarians have decided, that the alteration of the tank very expensive. The tank have not accepted on a service.


10. T-18 for Fortress

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Under the order of Narkom of Defence in 1938 700 tanks T-18 were transferred to the order of UR (Fortress Regions) of districts. There the machines, developping resource, should be used as armoured blindages. Them armed or twin machine-gun DA-2 ("MG-cupola"), or 45-mm tank gun sample 1932 ("cannon- cupola"). The mounting of 45-mm cannon in a turret T-18 was developed in one of design bureaus of OGPU (prisoners) and has appeared very successful.

During 1938-39 Narkomat of a Defence the order for rearming by 45-mm gun also 100 serviceable tanks T-18 has made. This order was not completely carried out, as of serviceable tanks remained some. About 70 tanks have received of 45-mm gun. To shoot from such tanks it was possible only with use of an additional emphasis.


Medium (manoeures) Tanks

11. Medium tank T-12

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The design assignment is given on November 17 1927. A management of the project carried out S.Shukalov. The main designer - V.Zaslavski, chief of group of engine and mechanism - A.Mikulin. The project of the tank Ò-1-12 was authorized in June 1928.

The tank made on Kharkov Steam-machine building factory (KhPZ) of a name Komintern, where have constructed an assembly site. Supervised over work on assembly of the tank M.Andrijanov at participation of V. Dudka. By the responsible executor on the tank on KhPZ was nominated V.Makhonin. The assembly work were begun on October 13, 1928 For simplification of work the case of the tank produced from simple iron.

The tank made on Kharkov Steam-machine building factory (KhPZ) of a name Komintern, where have constructed an assembly site. Supervised over work on assembly of the tank M.Andrijanov at participation of V. Dudka. By the responsible executor on the tank on KhPZ was nominated V.Makhonin. The assembly work were begun on October 13, 1928 For simplification of work the case of the tank produced from simple iron.


12. Medium tank T-24

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Was created after improvement of a design Ò-12. In September 1929 assembly at once of three machines began. In July 1930 first tank was sent on joint tests with Ò-12. In the autumn the tank was accepted on arms and his(its) serial manufacture is begun. In 1930/31 planned to make 200 tanks Ò-24, but 25 pieces (and one - from soft steel) were made total, then the financing of the order was stopped.

18 tanks Ò-24 was in service in the Kharkov militarian district. On March 2 1938 under the order of a Narkom of arms 22 tanks Ò-24 were transferred the order Fortress of militarian districts for creation motionless armored MG turrets. To 1941 there was only one complete tank Ò-24 at disposal of NIBTpoligon (proving ground), but in the autumn 1941 it, probably, was sent on front.


First edition: M.Svirin, A.Beskurnikov, «First Soviet tanks»,
«ARMADA» N1, ExPrintNV, 1995