Find about the T 45 tank. Light tanks. Tactical and technical characteristics of a light tank

Developer: Design Bureau of Plant No. 37
Year of commencement of work: 1941
Year of production of the first prototype: 1942
It was not mass-produced due to the adoption of the T-70 tank.

The most interesting modification light tank The T-40 was developed at the end of 1941 by engineers from Plant No. 37. In an effort to reduce the cost and speed up the production of combat vehicles as much as possible, it was proposed to make most of the parts not from metal, but from reinforced concrete. Preliminary shelling of 55-100 reinforced concrete slabs from a distance of 330-335 meters gave positive results - none of them armor-piercing bullets didn't break through them. This allowed us to conclude that by sacrificing mass it would be possible to give the front much more more tanks. This vehicle received the designation T-40ZhB (reinforced concrete) and, according to the most rough calculations, its weight should have increased by 200 kg. In addition, remembering the pre-war plans, the tank was going to be equipped with cannon armament. In particular, it was planned to install a 45-mm 20K gun or new gun similar caliber. Naturally, there could no longer be any talk of any kind of sailing.

Oddly enough, GBTU supported this idea. Apparently, the difficult situation at the fronts had an effect. On July 17, 1941, an order was received “from above” to begin work on the tank T-40ZhB(soon renamed T-40), and after some time, plant No. 37 received a letter with the following content.

“Include in the plans of the design bureau of plant No. 37 for the fourth quarter of 1941 the development of drawings and production of the T-45 tank (a non-floating version of the T-40) armed with a 45-mm cannon and reinforced concrete armor.
Fedorenko.”

The appearance of the first experienced T-45 was expected at the beginning of 1942, but while the design was underway, several big questions arose. First of all, the military was concerned about the maintainability of such a tank and the degree of its resistance to the effects of anti-tank missiles. The increased mass also did not promise anything good, except for a deterioration in the mobility and speed of the tank. As a result, the project was frozen. But still…

In the winter of 1942, we had to return to the T-45 again. The fact is that structurally it was almost no different from the T-60 tank, which was put into production back in September 1941, but at the same time the design team of plant No. 37 under the leadership of S. Surenyan promised to create a lighter tank with better armor protection and weapons.

The reinforced concrete option was completely abandoned due to its complete unacceptability. Tank received new building, reduced in height, designed by engineer Bogachev. The tower was also redesigned by engineer K. Loginov. It was planned to install a 45-mm 20K cannon and a coaxial 7.62-mm DT machine gun. In addition, the updated T-45 received an uprated ZIS-60 engine with a power of 110 hp.
The work progressed quite quickly, but it soon became clear that installing a 45 mm gun would pose difficulties due to the limited size of the turret. Especially for the T-45, OKB No. 92, under the leadership of Grabin, developed a new 45-mm ZIS-19BM cannon, which was also planned to be installed on the T-60 tank.

The second problem was the lack of required power plant. The production of the ZIS-60 engine could not be established, so the ZIS-16, assembled on the basis of units, was proposed as a replacement serial engine ZIS-5 with a power of 85 hp.

When the T-45 reference model was almost ready, the engine still had not been delivered. Then they decided to conduct tests on a prototype of the tank. T-62(T-60-2), which was a hybrid between the T-45 and T-60. It was equipped with a ZIS-5 engine and a 45-mm ZIS-19BM cannon. According to the documents, it was described as a “T-45 with a ZIS-5 engine.”

In comparative tests with light tank T-70 prototype The T-62 showed equal characteristics, slightly inferior to the “seventieth” in cross-country ability. But the new engine was “fed” by lower quality fuel and was better suited for repairs in field conditions. The ZIS-19BM gun had a higher rate of fire - it fired 7-8 rounds per minute, while the 20K allowed no more than 5. In addition, about 2.5 tons of valuable metal were saved.

However, the T-45 tank was not accepted for service. The main reasons for this were the lack of a ZIS-16 engine and the impossibility of installing a two-man turret on the existing hull. The T-70 tank was left in production.

Sources:
M. Svirin “Stalin’s armor shield. Story Soviet tank 1937-43." Publishing house "Yauza", "Eksmo". 2006
"The Complete Encyclopedia of World Tanks 1915-2000." Compiled by G.L. Kholyavsky. Harvest.Minsk\AST.Moscow. 1998

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A LIGHT TANK

T-45 model 1942

And servers. After removing the tank from the hangar, the T-45 cannot be restored through the service technical support WoT (for information).

Technical characteristics of T 45

The T-45 has good forehead armor, which is 25 millimeters without taking into account the slope of the armor; the sides of the hull are 15 millimeters, which is not the best indicator. But the tower pleases with 35 millimeters of armor on all sides.

The turning speed of the chassis is simply perfect 53 degrees, but the movement speed of the T-45 is very weak 45 km/h, which is the worst indicator among the LT’s classmates. The reverse speed is 15 km/h. The damage of a basic shell exceeds the value of light tanks of its level and amounts to 47 units. The declination of the gun cannot please us, and in principle, on the second world level of tanks you won’t have to expect particularly steep angles. And the stabilization has let us down, so we’ll have to install an aiming drive module.

T-45 equipment

Equipment for light premium tank is very standard, it is necessary to have crew coordination to improve all tank skills, the module will contribute to this improved ventilation for T 45. Coated optics useful for increasing the viewing range of the tank, and aiming drives will help increase and strengthen the process of aiming the gun.

Perks t 45

The crew of the T 45 is two people - this is commander And driver mechanic. Since this is a premium vehicle, it is possible to transfer crew members from another tank to quickly upgrade perks. The main perk is " Sixth Sense" for the tank commander, and the driver must have the skill "King of the Off-Road" , to increase the speed characteristics of the tank on soil. In battle, the repair skill will also be useful to all crew members.

On January 26, 1934, a peace treaty was concluded between Poland and Germany for a period of 10 years. This agreement allowed the government of democratic Poland to turn its gaze to the east and begin systematic preparations for the conquest of the Soviet Union to include its lands in Poland. The plank of the occupation of the Soviet Union was called "Vshud" - "East".
The main problem faced by the plan's developers was the problem of overcoming the "Stalin Line" - a continuous line of fortified areas encircling the western border of the USSR. The traditional methods of the First World War, which were proposed for this purpose, were not suitable - massive artillery preparation required large quantity heavy guns, a huge amount of ammunition and, despite its cost, did not guarantee the destruction of enemy fortifications, since it was carried out from closed positions. That is, the shooting was carried out with mounted fire and across squares.
In order to destroy at least one concrete bunker, which is a small target, under such conditions, several direct hits were required, and for this it was necessary to expend tens of thousands of shells. In addition, during the time during which the artillery will gnaw through the enemy’s defenses, the enemy will be able to mobilize troops and create new concrete fortifications. And everything will start all over again. Vicious circle? No!

Already in 1935, engineer-professor Warsaw University of Technology Baroness Olga Wladislava Werwolfmarine-Poniatowska (great-great-granddaughter of the last Polish king and niece of the famous Field Marshal Mannerheim) proposed an original and economical way to destroy the Bolshevik “Stalin Line”. The essence of this method was that fortifications should be destroyed not by firing heavy artillery into areas, but by firing at the embrasures of these fortifications with medium-caliber artillery placed at direct fire. But how to roll out the guns for direct fire under the hurricane and deadly fire of the Bolsheviks? A talented female engineer-scientist found the answer to this question - it is necessary to install medium-caliber guns on high-speed tanks with thick armor!
To create such tanks, it was necessary to solve three problems: create a powerful weapon, create a powerful tank engine, create a tank. The first problem was solved by Baroness Olga Władyslava Werwolfmarine-Poniatowska already in 1936, and was put into service in 1937. It received the designation 90-mm universal gun type wz.37
Tactical and technical data
Caliber, mm: 90
Caliber, inch: 3.54
Barrel length, mm: 4730
starting speed projectile, m/s: 823
Rate of fire, rds/min: 8
Effective firing range, m: 10300
Projectile weight (fragmentation), kg: 10.61
Armor penetration from 1000 meters at a meeting angle of 90 degrees in mm: 180 mm
Armor penetration from 1000 meters at a meeting angle of 60 degrees in mm: 160 mm
Armor penetration from 500 meters at a meeting angle of 90 degrees in mm: 227 mm
Armor penetration from 500 meters at a meeting angle of 60 degrees in mm: 210 mm
The US government immediately became interested in this weapon, and already in 1937 acquired a license for its production. The Americans immediately adapted this weapon for anti-aircraft guns. In the USA it was produced since 1940 under the designation 90 mm anti-aircraft gun M1 (M1A1) model 1940.

Engineer-professor Baroness Olga Wladislava Werwolfmarine-Poniatowska solved the second problem in 1937. The 12-cylinder diesel engine PZ650TL created by her was equipped with a compact turbocharger and developed a power of 650 Horse power. The diesel engine was produced at the Polish Ursus plant in Warsaw. It should be noted that the more powerful Polish diesel engine was 30% lighter than the Soviet V-2 tank diesel engine installed on the T-34 and KV tanks. The V-2 diesel, much touted in the Soviet Union, was created after the Soviet Union captured Poland. It was created due to the fact that Polish documentation and several prototype diesel engines fell into the clutches of Beria’s agents. However, no matter how puffed up the Soviet designers were, they were unable to reproduce advanced Polish technologies and created only a pitiful imitation of a diesel engine created by a talented Polish woman, Baroness Olga Wladyslawa Werwolfmarine-Poniatowska!

A powerful gun and a reliable diesel engine have been created. It remains to solve the third problem - to put it all together and build a tank. Can a charming Polish brunette cope with such a task? I did it! The tank she created in the spring of 1938 was named the Polish heavy breakthrough tank 45TR "Emilia Plater". It was named in honor of the famous Polish folk heroine, who in 1830-1831, commanding a regiment of Polish hussars, led a heroic struggle against the Russian invaders in the area of ​​the Polish cities of Vilna, Riga and Kaunas.

By September 1, 1938, the Polish army already had 10 45TR "Emilia Plater" tanks. What characteristics did the Polish tank have?
Performance characteristics heavy breakthrough tank 45TR "Emilia Plater":
Combat weight, t 45.4
The layout is classic, three-tower
Crew, people 6
Case length, mm 7370
Case width, mm 2870
Height, mm 2625
Ground clearance, mm 530
Engine power, l. With. 650
Highway speed, km/h 52
Speed ​​over rough terrain, km/h 40--45
Cruising range on the highway, km 400-500
Cruising range over rough terrain, km 200--250
Power density, l. s./t 14.4
Suspension type: fully interlocked, with vertical springs
Specific ground pressure, kg/cm2 - 0.52
Climbability, degrees. 37
Wall to be overcome, m 1.0
Ditch to be overcome, m 3.5
Fordability, m 1.0
Weapons:
1- 90-mm universal gun type wz.37 (ammunition - 93 rounds)
3-12.7 mm Colt machine guns (ammunition 2100 rounds - 700 for each machine gun)
Reservations:
Armor type: cemented steel
Body forehead, mm 120 mm
Hull side, mm 80 mm
Hull stern, mm 80 mm
Bottom, mm 35 mm
Housing roof, mm 30
Tower forehead, mm 130
Gun mantlet, mm 140
Tower side, mm 110
Tower feed, mm 110
Tower roof, mm 35
Already on October 2, 1938, the tanks were successfully tested in combat conditions - they participated in the liberation of Cieszyn Silesia from the Czechoslovak occupiers and fought through the “Beneš Line” - a network of fortified areas built by the Czechoslovak occupiers in Cieszyn Silesia to protect the Polish territories treacherously captured in 1923.

Based on the results of the successful use of 45TP "Emilia Plater" tanks in this operation (Operation "Zaluzhye"), the Polish government decided on the mass construction of tanks of this type for the conquest and occupation of the territory of the Soviet Union. At the Warsaw plant "Ursus" it was deployed mass production heavy tanks breakthrough.

In 1939 it was planned to produce 1000 tanks, and in 1940 - 4000 tanks of this type. The conquest of the Soviet Union was planned to begin in May 1941, with 5,000 tanks of this type in the Polish Army. But the betrayal and treachery of the leader of the Bolshevik USSR, Joseph Stalin, unfortunately confused all the cards of Polish democracy. September 17, 1939 Soviet Union treacherously, without declaring war, attacked Poland and a few days later occupied almost half of its territory. Germany, which really needed the Polish defense industry, decided to take advantage of this situation, so already on September 25, German troops, ahead of Stalin’s troops, managed to occupy Warsaw. By that time, the Ursus plant had produced almost 1,000 tank chassis, and there were also turrets with guns ready for installation on tanks.
The Germans were very efficient owners, but it took almost three years for German engineers to master some of the advanced Polish technologies. Some, but not all! For example, German engineers were unable to organize the production of the Polish PZ650TL diesel engine, and they replaced it with the fire-hazardous Maybach gasoline engine, as a result of which out of the first 600 tanks used by the Germans in the summer of 1943, 467 burned out before even reaching the unloading point to the front line. Another fatal mistake of the Germans was the replacement of a reliable and powerful 90-mm cannon with a less powerful long-barreled gun. As a result of this, both armor penetration deteriorated in comparison with the Polish prototype, and the high-explosive effect of shells on Bolshevik infantry. The Germans motivated this by the fact that in 1941 they already had a tank with a heavy 88-mm cannon - the low-speed Tiger. Another fatal simplification was the abandonment of the bow machine-gun turrets, which made it possible to conduct flanking fire on enemy trenches, and anti-aircraft fire on aircraft. The Germans motivated this action by the shortage of tankers. And it was true - thanks to actions partisan detachments Home Army from the outskirts of Berlin to the outskirts of Smolensk, german army was losing thousands of soldiers every day. But the lack of machine gun turrets increased the tank's vulnerability to conventional infantry and also made it vulnerable to air strikes.
As a result of all these deterioration in fighting qualities, the world was born german tank Pz Kpfw V "Panther".

However, as we know from history, the Panther tank, built on the chassis Polish tanks, despite all the deteriorations that the Germans made to its design, it is considered best tank Second World War! What does this mean? That the genius of the talented Polish woman engineer-professor Baroness Olga Władysława Werwolfmarine-Poniatowska was far ahead of her time, and that Polish industry in 1939 was the most advanced in the world! It is not without reason that for her contribution to the development of Poland's defense capability, Baroness Olga Władysława Werwolfmarie-Poniatowska was awarded Poland's highest award in 1940 - the Grand Cross of the Order of the Renaissance of Poland. The Order of the Polish People's Heroine was personally presented by the President of Poland in exile, General Wladyslaw Sikorski.
Simultaneously with this award, he presented the Baroness with Poland's highest military award - the Order of Virtuti Militari - for the famous "Trans-European Polish Breakthrough". Indeed, in that fateful September 1939 for Poland, 10 45TR "Emilia Plater" tanks available in the Polish army did not lay down their arms before the Bolshevik hordes, but fought their way to Greece, where in the port of Athens they were loaded onto the American cruiser "Wichita" and delivered in the USA at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. These tanks served as prototypes for the creation of the famous American tank"Sherman", as well as prototypes for the American tank "Pershing", the same one that covered itself with unfading glory on the battlefields of Korea and Vietnam, where it successfully fought against countless Bolshevik hordes of Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese terrorists.