II. Medium Tanks

October 07, 2003

***Tank speed here is maximal, range is given on byroads.

1. T-28
   1. T-28M34 (1934-38)
   2. T-28M38 (1938-40)
   3. T-28M40 (1940) with conical turret
   4. T-28E (1939-40)
   5. T-29
   6. IT-28
2. T-34
   1. T-34M40
   2. T-34M41
   3. T-34-57 (1941)
   4. T-34M41-42 (1941-42)
   5. Screened T-34
   6. T-34-76 (1942-43)
   7. OT-34 (1942-44)
   8. T-34-76 (1943-44)
   9. T-34-76 commander tank (1942-44)
   10. T-34-85 (1944-47)
   11. T-34-85 (D-5)
   12. OT-34-85 (1944-45)
3. T-44

1. T-28

Main medium tank of RKKA in the 1930th. Existed in a few modifications. Main serial ones are listed:

1a. T-28M34 (1934-38)

• Weapon: 76.2 mm gun KT-28+5-7,62 machine-guns (MG)
• Armor:30mm- front, 20mm-side and rear
• Speed: 45km/h
• Range: 220km
  

1b. T-28M38 (1938-40)

• Weapon: 76.2 mm gun L-10+5-7,62 machine-guns (MG)
• Armor:30mm- front, 20mm-side and rear
• Speed: 45km/h
• Range: 220km

Comments: More longer gun

1c. T-28M40 (1940) with conical turret

• Weapon: 76.2 mm gun L-10+5-7,62 machine-guns (MG)
• Armor:30mm- front, 20mm-side and rear (?)
• Speed: 45km/h
• Range: 220km
• Production: 13 units

Comments: No real data about its characteristics.

1d. T-28E (1939-40)

Modification of the basic T-28, screened with additional armor shields, according to some sources to measure 80mm on the front. To the other sources, additional shields were 10-15mm.

• Production: No data.

1e. T-29

Wheel/track modification of different subtypes of T-28 (having at least 3 types of guns)

Had big-size roadwheels (like BT tanks)

• Speed (tracks/wheels): 54/81km/h
• Range: tracks/wheels): 125/200 km
• Production: A few units were built

Comments: Took part in Moscow battle (1941)

1f. IT-28

Bridge layer tank:

• Weapon:2-7.62 MG
• Production - A small series

Comments for all T-28's: Most were used in the first weeks of the war. Some T-28's were used in the Moscow battle in 1941. The last T-28's were used on the Leningrad front up to 1943. A number of self-propelled guns were also built on the T-28 chassis. Their number is unknown (1-2), but they did take part in the battle for Moscow. Several captured T-28's were utilized by the Finnish army.

Total T-28 production: 523 units

in RKKA to 01.01.41 - 411 units

2. T-34

The T-34 received a huge amount of modifications. Nearly every plant producing them added several ones of their own. In Russian literature, 5 main types are distinguished: M40,M41,M42, M43, and T-34-85. A total of 12 types (including self-propelled guns) were produced in series.

2a. T-34M40

Had modifications with welded and cast turrets

• Weapon: 76.2mm gun L-11+2-7.62MG
• Armor: 45mm -front, side and turret's front, rear - 40mm
• Speed: 51,2 km/h
• Range:300-370km (on highway)

Comments: First series had a poor construction of the fuel tank which lead to losses from flanking fire.

2b.T-34M41

Had modifications with welded and cast turrets

• Weapon: 76.2mm gun F-32 or F-34+2-7.62MG

see T-34M40

(1941) 2c. T-34-57

• Weapon: 57mm gun ZIS-4+2-7.62MG

See T-34M40

2d. T-34M41-42 (1941-42)

With carburetor engine

• Weapon 76.2 mm (F-34) + 2-7.62 MG
• Production: 638 units

See T-34M40

2e. Screened T-34

Common T-34 tanks with addition front and side armor screens.

No real data about its characteristics.

I have information about one rare interesting modification (1943). It was a tank T-34M43 with a turret from T-34M41. All tank was screened by light armor shields. It was made to protect tank from hollow-charge shells. No one photo exists in Russian archives. To my info its bottom looked like shielded version of Pz. IVH and a turret had hexagonal shape like Cromwell tanks. One battalion (30 units) was equipped by this modification. Unfortunately in the very first attack 21 machines were destroyed by common anti-tank shells.

2f. T-34-76 (1942-43)

Had modifications with cast and stamped turrets

• Weapon: 76.2mm gun F-34+2-7.62MG
• Armor:45mm front and side, 52mm on turret's front and 45mm on the rear
• Speed: 51,2 km/h
• Range:365-465km (on highway)

2g. OT-34 (1942-44)

Flame thrower tank

• Weapon: 76.2mm gun F-32 or F-34+1-7.62mm MG+ flame thrower apparatus
• Armor: like other T-34 (no more exact data)
• Speed 51.2 km/h
• Range:250km

2h.T-34-76 (1943-44)

• Weapon: 76.2mm gun F-34+2-7.62mm MG
• Armor:45mm (all)
• Speed: 51,2 km/h
• Range:300-430km (on highway)

Comments: Unofficial nick "Gaika" (translation: "screw-nut") after specific hexahedron turret.

2i. T-34-76 commander tank (1942-44)

Differed from serial ones only by type of radio

Production: 195 units

Comments to all T-34 with 76 mm gun:

Total amount produced: 33,805 units

2j. T-34-85 (1944-47)

New turret and gun

• Weapon: 85mm gun ZIS-S-53+2-7.62mm MG
• Armor:45mm (all but turret), turret's front-90mm.
• Speed: 51,2 km/h
• Range:350km (on highway)
• Produced in 1944-45 - 22,609 units

2k. T-34-85 (D-5)

• Weapon: 85mm gun D-5+2-7.62mm MG

See T-34-85

Production: A small series Maybe a few units.

2l. OT-34-85 (1944-45)

Flame thrower tank

• Weapon: 85mm gun ZIS-S-53+2-7.62mm MG
• Armor:45mm (all but turret), turret's front-90mm.
• Speed: 51,2 km/h
• Range:350km (on highway)
• Production: 331 units.

3. T-44

• Weapon: 85mm gun ZIS-S-5+2-7.62mm MG
• Armor: 90mm front, 75mm side, 120 mm turret's front, 45mm rear, 75mm turret's rear.
• Speed: 45 km/h
• Range: 235km (on highway)
• Production: 965 units.

Comments. Never been used in WW2!