BT-5 (Bystrochodnij Tankov) (2024)

BT-5 (Bystrokhodniy Tankov) History

The BT series of Soviet "fast tanks" were born in the early 1930s, designed by John Walter Christie with an American suspension and engine. The original Soviet influence produced the 37mm armed BT-2 from the original Christie BT-1, followed by the BT-3 based on metric rather than imperial measurements. The BT-4 only demonstrated three prototype examples with welded hulls and improved suspension.

In 1933, the series gained a more defined presence with the introduction of the BT-5, armed with a 45mm main gun and a 7.62mm DT coaxial machine gun.

While work was being done on the BT-2, the BT-5 had been developed in 1932 and was intended as a modernization of the previous model. The BT-5 retains the original three-man crew, consisting of a driver in the middle of the forward fuselage and a commander/gunner and ammunition handler in the turret. The interior layout is traditional, with the driver at the front, the fighting compartment in the middle, and the powertrain at the rear. The turret was placed forward amidships, a feature carried over to the upcoming winning T-34 medium tank. The landing gear remains the same, controlled primarily by four large stamped steel wheels (now reinforced rather than cast steel) located on one side of the hull and a chain linkage system that incorporates the assembly.

Like the BT-2 before it, the BT-5 can have its markings removed in a 30-minute manual process, after which the vehicle can be driven by the front-most pair. This allows for improved range of use on ideal level surfaces (tracks prove beneficial on rough terrain).

Compared to the BT-2, the BT-5 is heavier (11.5 tons to 10.2 tons), but of comparable size. Armor protection remains at 13mm at the thickest fairing and 6mm at lighter, more vulnerable areas.

The BT-5 is also powered by a 400-horsepower M-5 gasoline engine based on the American Liberty, which can reach speeds of up to 45 mph and have a range of up to 200 kilometers. The design is significantly slower than the BT-2 (45-62 mph) and has limited range on the road (200-300 km).

External fuel storage can be installed to extend the range.

The main form of upgrade for the BT series is that the Type 32 series' 45mm gun has a larger caliber than the original 37mm gun in a redesigned turret. The ship carried 115x45mm projectiles. Defense is provided by a 7.62mm DT coaxial machine gun. Unlike the 13mm penetration of the 37mm gun, the BT-5 crew enjoys up to 37mm of armor thickness penetration at ranges up to 1,000m.

Ammunition options for the main gun include armor-piercing (AP) and high-explosive (HE) types, enabling aircrews to successfully engage both armored and non-armored targets. The command vehicle version of the BT-5 retains its combat capabilities, although additional communications equipment is required to limit the projectile load to 75 rounds.

BT-5 tanks started production at the Kharkov factory in March 1933. For every five combat versions produced, one radio was provided for one iteration, known as the "BT-2RT". As many as 263 radio-equipped BT-5s were produced.

A new V-2 diesel engine was also tested in 1933 and entered production tanks in 1939. Various other development platforms are also retained. The basic BT-5 main battle tank was further developed into several different variants, including a 76.2mm howitzer and a limited production BT-5A artillery support tank. Likewise, only a few PT-1A amphibious tanks were produced.

Both the BT-5PKh amphibious platform and the BT-5 flamethrower tank are in limited prototype form.

The advent of the final all-welded hull model, the BT-7 Fast Tank, developed in 1933-1934, and production of all BT-5s eventually ceased after approximately 1,884 units rolled off the assembly line. The BT-7 incorporates a new M-17T engine with 500 hp, a larger fuel reserve, more ammunition storage space, a higher maximum road speed (83 km/h) and a larger displacement ( 14-15 tons). The brand eventually produced three main models, including the BT-7, the 76.2mm-armed BT-7A, and the BT-7M.

All use the same 7.62mm DT Panzer machine gun.

The BT-5 tank underwent a formal baptism of fire with the IRA during the Spanish Civil War. This guy saw additional combat action in the Khalkhin Gol battle of the Soviet-Japanese border war. It was then used in the Winter War against Finland in 1939-40 with limited success. In early engagements, the BT-5 fast tanks proved successful, thanks in large part to their undeniable speed and a powerful 45mm main gun, which could easily penetrate at range usable enemy tank. By the time Germany invaded the Soviet Union as part of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, the BT-5 had had its best years of combatit had poor armor and an undersized main gun.

In any case, it's a reasonable amount and is used as a set piece for both attack and defense. On the defensive end, the BT-5 tank can drill into the turret and wait for an approaching enemy. Many were destroyed or abandoned in the ensuing German offensive, and by 1942 only a few remained in combat. In any case, the Red Army has been mobilized and the factory is producing more powerful main battle tank systems, such as the T-34 medium tank - the direct successor of the BT series.

Captured BT-5 tanks were again used against their former owners on the Finnish and Eastern Front.

BT-5 (Bystrokhodnij Tankov) Specification

Basic

Year:

1933

Staff:

3

Manufacturing:

State Factory - USSR

Production:

1,884 units

Roles

Dimensions

Length:

5.58m

Width:

7.32 ft (2.23 m)

Height:

2.25m

Weight:

13 tons (11,500 kg; 25,353 lb)

Performance

1 x M-5 400hp petrol engine.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

72 km/h

Maximum range:

124 miles (200 km)

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Armor

Ammo:

115 x 45mm bullet

2,400x7.62mm ammo

Changes

BT-5 (1933 model) - Name of the base series; designates the original production model; introduced in 1933.