As was the norm after World War 1 in all industrialized nations around the globe, Soviet warplanners set about to upgrade their armed forces to meet the demands of the everchanging battlefield. In particular demand was the improvement of the armored corps which were progressively outclassed by their contemporaries. Attempts were made to develop and indigenous design but most came to naught. As such, the British-based Vickers 6-ton Type E series were available in limited numbers stemming from a 1930 purchase from England and were selected for further development.
One T-26 model appeared with a 1 x 7.62mm and a 1 x 12.7mm (.50 caliber) machine gun array whilst another mounted an additional 27mm cannon in place of the aforementioned heavy machine gun. A 37mm main gun was fitted to the T-26A-5. The T-26B model series became the definitive T-26 tank as the twin turret design was dropped in favor of a more traditional single turret layout. This single turret was initially fitted with the 37mm main gun of the T-26A-5 but was later upgraded to a more potent 45mm variety.
The pinnacle T-26 design came with the arrival of the T-26S series. This particular series saw a change from riveted construction techniques to welded designing. Not only did this improve the overall protection of the tank turret but it also removed the deadly effect of having rivets blown clean from their holes from inside in the event of a direct hit by the enemy. The T-26 was spawned into other battlefield roles, more notably the addition of bridging tanks (in the ST-26 model), command vehicles (in the T-26A-4V and T-26B-2V models) and flamethrowing derivatives (all tanks beginning with the "OT" designation. An attempt was made with mounting a 76.2mm main gun to the turret which would go on to become the AT-1.
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INFANTRY SUPPORT
Support allied ground forces through weapons, inherent capabilities, and / or onboard systems.
TANK-VS-TANK
Engage armored vehicles of similar form and function.
16.0 ft (4.88 meters) Length
11.2 ft (3.41 meters) Width
7.9 ft (2.41 meters) Height
20,723 lb (9,400 kg) Weight
10.4 tons (Light-class) Tonnage
1 x GAZ T-26 8-cylinder gasoline engine developing 91 horsepower. Drive System
17 mph (28 kph) Road Speed
109 miles (175 km) Road Range
1 x 37mm OR 45mm main gun
1 x 7.62mm machine gun
Other Variants:
1 OR 2 x 7.62mm machine gun(s)
1 x Flame Projector in place of main gun(flamethrowing variant)
1 x 12.7mm machine gun
AMMUNITION
165 x 45mm projectiles
3,654 x 7.62mm ammunition
T-26 - Base Series Designation; based on the British Vickers 6-ton Type E light tank design.
T-26A (T-26 Model 1931) - Initial Production Model Designation.
T-26A-1
T-26A-2 - Fitted with two turrets mounting 1 x 7.62mm machine guns each.
T-26A-3 - Fitted with 1 x 12.7mm machine gun and 1 x 7.62mm machine gun.
T-26A-4 - Fitted with 1 x 27mm cannon and 1 x 7.62mm machine gun.
T-26A-4(U) - Command Vehicle; also T-26A-4V.
T-26A-5 - Fitted with 1 x 37mm main gun and 1 x 7.62mm machine gun.
T-26B (T-26 Model 1933) - Single turret design series.
T-26B-1 - Mounting 1 x 37mm main gun
T-26B-2 - Improved T-26B; all-welded construction; improved turret with gun counterweight added at rear.
T-26B-2(U) - Command Vehicle
T-26S Model 1937 - Fitted with 45mm main gun; may also be known as the T-26C or T-26E.
OT-26 - Flamethrowing Tank based on the T-26A model series.
OT-30 - Flamethrowing Tank based on the T-26B model series.
OT-133 - Flamethrowing Tank; based on the T-26S model series.
ST-26 - Bridging Tank; also IT-26.
AT-1 - Converted T-26 into 76.2mm self-propelled gun role.
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