WW2 Soviet light tanks (Astrov series)

1972-2014 virtual tour of Kubinka tank museum Hall N 3
Part 3: Astrov series – T-40, T-40S, T-30, T-60, T-70..

T-40 amphibious soviet light tank and T-40S scout tank

It was developed in 1939 by the Design Bureau for the purpose of overcoming water obstacles in the offensive of the Red Army. It was produced serially from 1940 to 1941. He was in service with the Red Army. Used in the battles of the Great Patriotic War in the initial period, including in the Battle for Moscow. In 1941, it began to produce its “land” version of T-40S (without breakwater and screw). Sometimes after repair instead of a quick-firing machine gun (DSHK or SHKAS) a quick-firing cannon of 20 mm was installed. (SHVAK or TNSH)

In 2016, there is no in the pavilion N3.

Tactical and technical characteristics of T-40 *

Weight – 5,5 tons, Number of crew – 2 people. Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 4110 x 2330 x 1905 mm. Armament: machine gun – 1 piece, caliber – 12.7 mm., Ammunition – 500 cartridges, machine gun – 1 pc., caliber – 7.62 mm., ammunition – 2016 rounds. Armored protection – 13 mm. Engine power – 85 horsepower
The maximum speed is 45 km / h. Cruising range on the highway – 300 km. Speed ​​of crossing water obstacles afloat – 6 km / h

Design Features: Base – the original. General layout – the power unit is located in the middle part of the hull; The turret is shifted to the left of the longitudinal axis of the body.

Armament – High-speed large-caliber aircraft machine gun ShKAS or DShK. In order to increase the rate of fire of the machine gun, the ammunition is placed in a roundabout.

Protection – the tank body is made of armored rolled sheets, connected by welding or riveting. Chassis – automobile type carburetor engine, transmission mechanical; clutch and gearbox are attached to the engine; The motion is afloat with the help of a four-bladed propeller and water-rudders; torsional suspension.

* TTC according to the initial development, really different in wartime conditions, especially in armament.

T-30 Soviet light tank

The tank was developed in 1940. A small batch was issued in 1941. It was in service with the Red Army. Used in the battles of the Great Patriotic War in the initial period, especially in the “Battle for Moscow”

This tank is in running condition and has repeatedly participated in holidays, military parades and military-historical reconstruction of the battles.

In 2016, the T-30 tank in pavilion N3 is missing.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-30 tank

Weight – 5,5 tons, Number of crew – 2 people. Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 4110 x 2330 x 1905 mm. Armament: gun – 1 piece, caliber – 20 mm., Ammunition – 750 shots
machine gun – 1 piece, caliber – 7.62 mm., ammunition – 1512 cartridges. Armored protection – 15 mm. Engine power – 85 horsepower, The maximum speed is 45 km / h, Cruising range on the highway – 300 km. The depth of the water barriers to be surfaced is 1.1 meters

Design Features: the base is a Soviet light tank T-40. The overall layout – the power plant and transmission are mounted on the starboard side, occupying part of the combat compartment and control section.

Armament – The modified aircraft cannon (TNS) vertically is guided by means of a shoulder stop. Protection – the body of rolled sheets, welded, the thickness of sheets 5, 10 and 15 mm. Chassis – the car is equipped with a carbureted six-cylinder liquid-cooled engine; The transmission consists of one disc clutch, four-speed gearbox, a conical final drive, two multi-disk side friction clutches, two connecting shafts and two single-row side gears with cylindrical gears.

T-60 Soviet light tank

The tank was developed in 1941. It was produced serially from 1941 to 1942. He was in service with the Red Army. Used in the battles of the Great Patriotic War, mainly the initial period.

The tank is in running condition. Repeatedly participated in holidays, military parades and military historical reconstruction of the Battle for Moscow and the Kursk Bulge. On the photo below in winter camouflage.

For 2016, the tank in pavilion N3 is missing.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-60 tank

Weight – 6,4 tons, Number of crew – 2 people, Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 4100 x 2300 x 1750 mm. Armament: gun – 1 piece, caliber – 20 mm., Ammunition – 780 shots
machine gun – 1 piece, caliber – 7.62 mm., ammunition – 4000 cartridges. Armor protection – 35 mm. Engine power – 70 horsepower, The maximum speed is 45 km / h, Cruising range on the highway – 450 km. The depth of the water barriers to be surfaced is 0.9 meters

Design Features. Base – original using elements of the T-30 tank. General layout – the power unit is located in the middle part of the hull. Armament – TNSH automatic rifled cannon  with belt loading; the mechanism of the turret guidance is gear, the mechanism of the gun raising is screw, both with manual drives. Protection – tank hull made of rolled armor plates, thickness 13, 15, 25 and 35 mm, welded.

Chassis – carburetor engine, six-cylinder, liquid cooling; The transmission consists of a clutch mounted on the engine, a gearbox bolted to the clutch housing, final drive, on-board transmissions; individual tank suspension, torsion bar.