T-50 tanks

The construction and appearance of the T-50 resembled heavily “126.”, but at the same time he showed significant differences, Because it was created taking into account the experience of combat use of tanks in the Finnish war and the test results of the German tank PZ.III in the USSR, carried out in the USSR. in summer 1940 year. T-50 fuselage sheets were combined by welding and were at large angles. The maximum thickness of the front and side armor of the hull and the tower was reduced 45 do 37 mm. The hull stern sheathing happened 25 mm, and the thickness of the roof and DNA has been reduced to 15 mm. In the upper front plate with a slight shift to the left from the longitudinal axis of the tank (almost inside) there was a drivers with an observation device; There was of course no machine gun. Two more observation instruments, Just like in "126.", were installed in the front cheekbones of the body.

The streamlined welded tower resembled the T-34 tower tower, But it was designed for three crew members. At the back of the roof of the tower (not without influence PZ.LLL) the commander's dome was installed, whose eight viewing gaps have been closed with armored flaps. There was a small hatch in the tower, Apparently for signaling. Two rectangular roof hatches were intended for landing of crew members in the tower. A door was used to disassemble the gun. The sides of the tower contained the observation instruments of the shooter and the loading, covered with round armored shields.

The composition of the armaments was not typical for Soviet tanks. Two DT machine guns 7,62 mm was composed with the department 45 mm (again, not without influence PZ.LLL). The 9p radio station was placed in the tower of the tank next to the commander's seat.

By reducing the thickness of the armor plates, Introduction of the principle of varied booking, which reduced the weight of the vehicle to 13,8 tony, and installation of the V-4 engine with power 300 KM. (Forced version of diesel V-3) A significant increase in speed has been achieved: z 35 km / H for the object 126 do 52 km / H for T-50. Two fuel tanks with a total capacity 350 liters provided range on the highway to 344 km.

The chassis uses road wheels with internal cushioning and individual suspension of the torso rod.

The serial production of the T-50 is scheduled for factory no 174, Therefore, from 1 January 1941 r. T-26 production was stopped. However, the restructuring of the production of more technologically complex T-50 was very slow and in the first half 1941 the factory only produced only 116 tanks with a flamethrower OT-133. There were serious difficulties in the development of the production of the V-4 diesel engine at the plant in Kharkov No. 75. But the T-50 tank was to replace the "twenty-six" in the army and in accordance with the original plan to rearrange the Red Army armored troops (let's remember, that the first order for T-34 is only 600 vehicles). In the years 1940-1941 However, this plan was corrected as a result of the decision to create a mechanized body. But even on them was no less than 14 thousands of "fifty". O,

At the expense of amazing efforts in 1941 year only was produced 50 cars. In August, the plant was evacuated 174 – mainly to Omsk, where in December the production of tanks resumed and additionally to Niżny Tagila and Barnauł. An attempt to expand the production of T-50 at Factory No. 37 In Moscow, she was not successful – there they could hardly cope with the production of the 5-ton T-40, 14-Ton T-50 was far too hard for the plant. However, the main factor limiting the production of the T-50 were engines. The V-2 diesel engine had a priority in planning tasks. In particular at the plant no 75, which was evacuated to Czelabińska by then, Exports V-4 engines for components to V-2 were dismantled. This is why 13 October 1941 year, the State Defense Committee decided to build two plants in Barnaul: one for the production of T-50 tanks, second to the production of V-4 diesel engines for them. But 6 February 1942 year, According to GKO's decision, The production of T-50 and engines for them has been completely suspended. Plant No. 174 in Omsk, After production 15 tanks in 1942 r. (Apparently they were taken from the reserve, which they brought), He switched to the production of T-34.

There is not much information about the fate of T-50 tanks. However, it is known, that in August 1941 year 1 Armored Division stationed in the Leningrad Military District and took part in the fighting in the Kingispp region 10 tanks of this type. In autumn 1941 r. Several T-50 tanks were included 7. Army, defending towards Pietrozawodska. During these battles, one vehicle was captured by the Finns and was exploited to the end 1954 year.