BT-5

BT-5TU Model 1934

In 1932 the design team at Kharkov and KhPZ in Leningrad were instructed to adapt the new 45mm Model 1932 L/46 tank gun for their tanks. As a result of this the KhPZ developed the BT-5 Model 1933. The new BT-5 had a larger turret with a new gun, and simpler convex style wheels were used. The BT-5 Model 1933 were shortlived, because the OKMO team had developed a better turret for the 45mm gun. The first turret developed by KhPZ had only a single roof hatch and inadequate stowage. The new turret had twin hatches and this became the standard production turret until the introduction of the BT-7 in 1937. Several variants of the BT-5 were built. The BT-5PKh was fitted with a snorkel and rubber sealing to enable it to drive across rivers under water. They were first employed in the Byelorussian MD manoeuvres near Slutsk by the 4th Mechanized Regiment of the 4th Don Cossack Division headed by then unknown Georgi Zhukov. 50 BT-5 were sent to Spain to fight in the Civil War. By the experience from the battlefield both in Spain and against Japan in the Khalkin Gol battles, a new BT-7 was built.

The crew of a BT-5 planning, 1942.

BT-5 in standard turret-stripes of the 1930's.

BT-5 in action, 1942.

BT-5 in action, 1943.

BT-5 in action, 1944.

BT-5 Interior scheme.

Specifications, BT-5 Model 1934:

• Crew: 3
• Armament: 45mm Model 1932 L/46 gun, coaxial 7,62mm DT
• Ammo: 115 x 45mm shells, 2709 DT rounds
• Armor: 6mm - 13mm
• Weight: 11.450kg
• Engine: Type M5, 294 kW
• Speed: Road - Wheel 72km/h, Track 52km/h
• Range: 120km - 200km
• Length: 5.81m
• Width: 2.23m
• Height: 2.33m