The BT series of Soviet "Fast Tanks" was born out of a John Walter Christie design in the early 1930s featuring an American suspension system and engine. The initial Soviet influences produced the 37mm-armed BT-2 out of the original Christie BT-1 with the BT-3 following based on metric measurements as opposed to Imperial. The BT-4 proved just three prototype examples with welded hulls and revised suspension systems. In 1933, the series received a more definitive existence with the unveiling of the BT-5 sporting a 45mm main gun and coaxial 7.62mm DT machine gun.
Even while the BT-2 was being worked on, the BT-5 was already being formed as early as 1932 and was intended as a modernization of the preceding type. The BT-5 retained the original's operating crew of three personnel made up of the driver in the front-center hull and the commander/gunner and ammunition handler in the turret. The internal layout was conventional with the driver in front, the fighting compartment at center and the powertrain at the rear. The turret was set well-forward of amidships which was a featured carried over into the upcoming war-winning T-34 Medium Tank. The running gear remained the same, dominated by four large pressed steel road wheels (now reinforced and no longer cast steel) to a hull side and a track link system encompassing the arrangement. Like the BT-2 before it, the BT-5 could see its tracks removed through a 30-minute manual process to which the vehicle could then run along its wheels, being steered by the front-most pair. This allowed for improved operational ranges across ideal, even surfaces (the tracks proved beneficial on uneven terrain).
Compared to the BT-2, the BT-5 was heavier (11.5 tons to 10.2 tons) while, dimensionally, its size was comparable. Armor protection remained 13mm at the thickest facing with 6mm along lighter, more vulnerable areas. The BT-5 was also powered by the American Liberty-based M-5 gasoline-fueled engine of 400 horsepower allowing for speeds of up to 45 miles per hour with a road range out to 200km. The design was decidedly slower than the BT-2 (45mph to 62mph) and limited in operational range (200km to 300km) on roads. External fuel stores could be fitted for increased ranges.
Production of BT-5 tanks began in March of 1933 out of the Kharkov plant. For every five combat versions produced, a single iteration came with a radio set as the "BT-2RT". As many as 263 radio-fitted BT-5s were produced. 1933 also saw testing of a new V-2 diesel-fueled engine and these made their way into production tanks in 1939. Various other developmental platforms were also retained. The base BT-5 combat tank was further evolved into several distinct models including the the BT-5A artillery support tank mounting a 76.2mm howitzer and seeing limited production. Similarly, only a few of the PT-1A amphibious tanks were produced. The BT-5PKh amphibious platform and BT-5 flamethrower tank both resided in limited prototype forms.
Production of all BT-5s was eventually given up for good after some 1,884 examples had come off of the lines due to the arrival of the definitive, all-welded hull BT-7 Fast Tank model - in development from 1933 to 1934. The BT-7 incorporated a new M-17T engine of 500 horsepower, increased fuel stores, increased ammunition stowage space, increased maximum road speeds (53mph) and greater displacement (14-15 tons). The mark was eventually produced across three major variants to include the BT-7, the 76.2mm-armed BT-7A and the BT-7M. All fielded the same 7.62mm DT tank machine guns.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
Specifications
State Factories - Soviet Union Manufacturer(s)
China; Finland; Mongolia; Nazi Germany; Soviet Union; Spain Operators
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
