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T-34



Overview


T-34/85

Right side view of a T-34/85 tank on display at a museum at Darkovičky, Czechia.
Source: DarkenJay - © CC BY-SA 4.0

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Medium tank
Entered service
1940
Status
Obsolete
Development
1937 - 1940
Developer
Soviet Union - Kharkiv Morozov design bureau
Production
1940 - 1958
Producer
Soviet Union - 7 factories (61.366 produced)
China
Czechoslovakia - (1951 - 1958)
Poland - (1951 - 1955)
Unit cost
270.000 rubles for a T-34/76 in 1941
135 .000 rubles for a T-34/76 in 1943
164.000 rubles for a T-34/85 in 1943
142.000 rubles for a T-34/85 in 1945
Number produced
Over 84.000

Description


Introduction

The T-34 is a World War 2 era medium tank of Soviet origin and is one of the most iconic tanks ever produced. The T-34 was designed shortly before World War to and was used in enormous quantities during the war. Even after the war the T-34 with 85mm gun was used for many years, mainly by export customers since it was soon replaced by the T-55 in Soviet service. The T-34 was not the best tank in World War 2, but due to its qualities combined with low production cost it became the most influential one. The T-34 influenced tank design around the world.

Design

The T-34 has a conventional layout and is characterized by its angular hull and Christie suspension. The driver and bow gunner are seated side by side in the front of the hull and the rest of the crew in the turret. Then engine is located at the rear and often external fuel tanks are carried at the rear hull. The original models with 76mm cannon featured a smaller two man turret. The models with 85mm gun required a loader for the main gun and therefore needed a larger turret.

Firepower

The very first models featured the short barrel 76mm L-11 cannon which was quickly replaced by the far more capable 76mm F-34 cannon. The 85mm models are fitted with the formidable D-5T or ZiS-S-53 cannon, for which 56 rounds are carried. After World War 2 the 85mm cannon was of limited use against post war tanks but remained capable of destroying any other armored fighting vehicle. Due to low quality sights, lack of stabilization and mixed quality ammunition the accuracy was limited throughout its whole service life.

Protection

For its weight the T-34 has a good level of protection, mainly due to the use of sloped armor. Although the protection level was continuously increased the T-34 remained vulnerable against German 75mm or larger caliber weapons throughout World War 2. After World War 2 any tank and light tank was capable of destroying the T-34. Anti-tank weapons such as the M20 Super Bazooka or recoilless rifles proved lethal as well. There are no NBC system or smoke grenade dischargers.

Mobility

For a World War 2 era tank the T-34 had a very good mobility. The power to weight ratio is reasonable and the road and cross country speeds are good. The downsides are the limited reliability of the automotive parts and tracks that would easily break. The transmission was difficult to use and the T-34 series had plenty of issues, but these could often be remedied in the field.

Users

The main user of the T-34 was the Soviet Union. After World War 2 large quantities remained. Since tank development continued at a very fast pace the T-34 was soon replaced by the T-54 and T-55 in Soviet service. Large quantities of T-34's were exported and small quantities remain in use in the Middle East and Africa, albeit mostly in reserve service or storage.

T-34/76


T-34/76

A T-34/76 Model 1942 on display.
Source: Topory - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

The T-34/76, known simply as T-34 in Russia, is a designation for all T-34 models with a 76mm cannon. The 76mm versions were produced during the first years of World War 2 and only a limited amount was used after the war. Since 1943 the 76mm models were replaced by the 85mm models.

T-34/76 Model 1940
The Model 1940 was the first production model and had a 76mm L-11 cannon.
T-34/76 Model 1941
The Model 1941 was fitted with the superior 76mm F-34 cannon.
T-34/76 Model 1942
The Model 1942 has a hexagonal turret and is the most common variant.
T-34/57
The T-34/57 is a small batch fitted with the high velocity 57mm ZiS-4 cannon that has a better performance against tanks but reduced performance against other targets.
OT-34
Some Model 1941 and Model 1942 tanks were fitted with a flamethrower instead of a bow machine gun and were known as OT-34.

T-34/85


T-34/85

A T-34/85 on display in Poznan.
Source: Radomil - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

The T-34/85, known as T-34-85 in Russia, features a more powerful 85mm cannon in a larger turret. The 85mm models are by far the most common post war models.

T-34/85 Model 1943
The Model 1943 was the first in the T-34/85 lineup and features the D-5T cannon.
T-34/85 Model 1944
The Model 1944 has a simpler ZiS-S-53 gun and features serveral other changes that include an improved internal layout and new gunner's sight.
T-34/85 Model 1945
The Model 1945 features an electric traverse motor and a smoke system.
T-34/85 Model 1946
The latest model to be produced in the USSR was the Model 1946 that featured and improved engine and new roadwheels.

Details


Facts T-34/76 obr 1940 T-34/76 obr 1941 T-34/76 obr 1942 T-34/85 obr 1943 T-34/85 obr 1944
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Medium tank
Crew
4 (commander, driver, gunner, radio operator)
Dimensions
Weight
26.0 t combat load
Length
5.92 m hull
Width
3.0 m
Height
2.41 m
Main armament
Type
76mm L-11 cannon
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
77 rounds
Elevation
-5 to +29°, manual
Traverse
360°, powered
Traverse rate
36°/s
Stabilizer
No
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm DT machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
2.898 rounds in total, 47 ready to fire
Traverse
Traverse and elevation as main gun
Bow armament
Type
7.62mm DT machine gun
Mount
Bow mount in hull front
Ammunition
2.898 rounds in total, 47 ready to fire
Traverse
Forward arc
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Track width
0.55 m
Track on ground
3.72 m
Ground pressure
0.64 kg/cm²
Suspension
Christie
Automotive
Engine model
V-2-34
Engine type
V12 diesel
Power output
500 hp at 1.800 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
420 L + 140 L external
Mobility
Speed
55 km/h on road
40 km/h off road
Range
300 km on road
225 km off road
Turn radius
7.6 m
Power to weight ratio
19.2 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.4 m
Wall
0.8 m
Trench
2.5 m
Gradient
35 %
Fording
1.3 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
45 mm hull front, sides and rear
45 mm turret front, sides and rear
NBC system
No
Smoke system
No
Equipment
Night vision
No
Radio
71-TK-3 radio set, only on company commander's tank

Media


Vehicles based on T-34 chassis


Note: incomplete list

Type 58

The Type 58 is a license produced version of the T-34/85 produced in China.
Type 58: The Type 58 is the Chinese production version of the T-34/85 and is fitted with sights used on the Type 59.
Type 58-I: The Type 58-I has a redesigned commander's hatch and has a heavy machine gun on the turret roof.
Type 58-II: The Type 58-II features a second cupola with heavy machine gun mount.

SU-100

Powerful tank destroyer with 100mm rifled gun in casemate superstructure.

SU-122

Assault gun with 122mm howitzer in casemate superstructure.

AT-45

Tracked prime mover based on T-34 chassis. Produced in very limited numbers.

T-100

The T-100 is an Egyptian conversion of the T-34 tank that mounts the ordnance of the 100mm BS-3 fieldgun. The turret has been increased in size by welded metal plates and a recoil buffer is installed under the main armament. The 100mm BS-3 has a much better performance against armored vehicles compared to the original armament. It is believed only a small amount of T-34's have been converted to the T-100.

T-122

The T-122 is an Egyptian modification of the T-34 that mounts the ordnance of the D-30 howitzer in a much modified T-34 turret. The size of the turret has been significantly inmproved by welded metal plates. Unlike the T-100 conversion the D-30 ordnance has been mounted at the rear of the original T-34 turret. Compared to the T-100 the T-122 has a reduced performance against vehicles but does better against infantry. It is believed that only a small number, perhaps a dozen, have been built.

T-34/122

The T-34/122 is a Syrian modification that combines the T-34 chassis with a the D-30 towed howitzer. The T-34 has its turret removed and a D-30 howitzer without its trails is mounted at the front of the vehicle facing rearwards. A folding platform is attached which is locked in place horizontally when in the firing position. The D-30 howitzer has the same performance as when used on the ground, but has the added benefit of a much improved cross country mobility.

Related articles


T-55

The Soviet T-55 main battle tank replaced larger numbers of T-34/85 in the early Cold War period in the Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact and many nations around the globe.