Russian experimental machines

[Wicked]

During the war there were plenty of machines suggested by numerous construction bureaus and construction gruops for the needs of Russian army and the Front, either before war and during it. Also there were some specificated models of serial machines, that were not signed for mass production. Nevertheless this machines contributed much for the history of the tank-building, but still staying in the shadow of it, known only among enthuasists and historcs. I hope you will enjoy it.

I will begin with PPG.
I sorry, guys, for some small sizes of the pictures,or some of them have no background becuase most of them are defended by author rights of the authors that published books that are pictures taken from.

PPG Tankette (abbr could be translated as "self-propelled machine-gun nest")
In March 1940, LKZ's Design Bureau developed a new tracked tankette "Object 217". Works were led by J.Y.Kotin, Chief-Engineer was L.E.Sychev. New vehicle was intended to be a close support armored fighting vehicle and considered as mobile armored machine-gun. During works, vehicle received "PPG" designation.

The most glare feature of the PPG was it crew layout. During movement they were in sitting posture and armored hatch is opened; in combat position the hatch is closed and crewmen are in a prone position. On long distances, the PPG intended to be transported by a truck.

The PPG Tankette was intended to be used in battles on Karelian isthmus during the Winter War. In spring 1940, one tankette was manufactured but the Winter War ended, so all further works on PPG were delayed and later abandoned at all.


PPG in the factory yard 1940


The draft of PPG

T-21 and T-23 Tankettes

In 1929-1930's a project of tankette T-21 is started, becoming a logical continuation of T-17 Tankette. T-21 was classified as a "Small Reconnaissance Tankette", and closely resembled T-17, except that it had two-man crew, increased armor (13 mm) and support wheels from T-18 Escort Tank. The engine of power 20 h.p, and transmission were borrowed from Ò-17. However at this stage of development, its estimated speed of its movement and the characteristic of overcoming obstacles appeared insufficient; so the project wasn't authorized.


Initial project of the T-23.


T-23 Tankette that was actually built.


In 1930, on an assignment of RKKA headquarters, and considering experience with T-17, works begin on a new two-men crew tankettes T-22 and T-23, classified as "large reconnaissance tankettes". Their difference was in the engine: T-22 was planned with original four-cylinder engine, and T-23 with the engine from tank T-20. Also, the difference was in location of crewmembers: on T-22 they were placed one after another, and on T-23 - in a row. Each project had its own strengths and weaknesses, but T-23 was chosen for production, as more economic and simple to build. First prototype of T-23 had a hull of simple metal and engine from T-18 (40 h.p.), but for second prototype a special modified engine of not yet finished T-20 was used, and four more were ordered. All tankettes were produced on 2nd Automobile Factory VATO (director - S.F. Ivanov), and works on T-23 were carried out in surprisingly short time and good quality.

During the production, tankette underwent countless technical modifications, which had almost completely changed it. Its length was increased by almost 300 mm. Instead of basic and supporting wheels from Ò-18, those of Ò-19 tank were used. A new facilitated track, with a new driving wheel was implemented, as old ones did not provide a speed of 40 km/h. However, even with the involved improvements, the tankette was unsatisfactory, since its price was almost that of the tank T-18, and in a version with a turret, even surpassed it (over 59 thousand rubles without armaments!), which did not allow for its mass production in required numbers. If the three-year program on support tanks had even surpassed its plan, for tankettes it was not even completed, which made it necessary to purchase a license for production of British tankette "VCL" (Vickers Carden-Loyd) to satisfy GUVP executives.

[Wicked]

T-23 tankette


T-17

Next two pics:t-17 on the factory yard

[Tom Houlihan]

These are great, Wicked!! Do any of the Russian or Ukrainian model companies produce any of these? I kinda like the PPG, even if I wouldn't be caught dead crewing it!

[Wicked]

These are great, Wicked!! Do any of the Russian or Ukrainian model companies produce any of these? I kinda like the PPG, even if I wouldn't be caught dead crewing it!

Tom, i really don`t know about models of it. I can to reffer to my freinds-modelists but i expect no info on it. May be i will check modeling web-zines on .ru domains(russian-languaged) later?

You will kinda like some more first Russian trials for the tank-killers and other non-serial self-propelled artillery sysrems.. Some of them are really dreadful! That will be my next job on the thread..

[MAGNA]

Thanks Wicked. Very interesting stuff.

I like the PPG too. Sort of like having a grenade proof Bren carrier.

[Wicked]

Some SU`s & KV`s will be later.

now this one..

The Powerful Medium Tank "TG"

Led by German Engineer, Edward Grote, work began on a heavily armored, medium-weight tank as an alternative to the maneuverable T-24, in 1930. Members of the Soviet Mission, after visiting Germany in late 1929/early 1930, invited Grote to the U.S.S.R. After his arrival, Grote began his work at the Design Office AVO-5, within the Aviation Engine Department of the "Bolshevik" Factory. Here, in 1930, steps were being taken to manufacture the experimental, TG Tank (Tank Grote).

The TG was expected to have a combat-ready weight of 20 tons, a top speed of 40 km/h, a cruising speed of 25 km/h, and 15 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm in armor. The 240 hp (176.5 kw), air-cooled, carburetor engine for the TG Tank, was specifically designed by Grote. The armament comprised of one 76 mm-cannon, one 37 mm- cannon and 4 or 5 machineguns. OGPU and NKVM were instructed to proceed with the testing and completion of the TG Tank. The assignment was given priority, as one of the most important tasks within the category of experimental tanks for 1931. The first series of 50-75 tanks were planned to familiarize the overall production process. Prior to completion, preparatory work and trials for the experimental TG Tank were also planned. Therefore, manufacture of the T-24 was continued as a temporary measure. After the completion of 80 T-24's, the production line was closed and the mass production of TG's was planned in the KhPZ. 2,000 TG Tanks were projected for manufacture in 1932.


The Powerful Medium Tank "TG"
S.A. Ginzgurg, head of Design Bureau #3 of the VOAO, visited Great Britain at the end of 1930. In the course of discussions with British Engineers, he learned of the new, 16-ton Tank, A-6 (Mk-III). Also in the discussions at the Vickers' Factory, he learned of the tank's layout and the technical and tactical parameters. Ginzburg presented a detailed report on the new tank upon arrival to the U.S.S.R., which caught the attention of the Red Army High Command. Moreover, the Mark III was the closest to complying with the requirements of, accepted "System of Tank-Tractor-Motorcar-Weapon-Armament of the RKKA," and was superior to the TG Tank.

Meantime, the "Bolshevik" Factory was working on the prototype of the TG Tank. Resolution No. 2 of the Defense Committee, from 9/2/31, set up the project management. Medved', (OGPU), was General Administrative Manager, K.K. Sirken was Head of Design Bureau, N.V. Barykov was Deputy for Manufacturing, and A. Vorobiev, (UMM) was Deputy for Design. The experimental TG Tank was completed in the summer of 1931. The tank featured three-level armament positions, elongated hull to 7.5 meters, turret located in the rear, a high box section located under the turret, a running gear with high tracks that was covered by an armored skirt, and a small observation turret with a periscope and a hydraulically assisted transmission controls.




The Powerful Medium Tank "TG". VAMM. 1931

Meantime, the "Bolshevik" Factory was working on the prototype of the TG Tank. Resolution No. 2 of the Defense Committee, from 9/2/31, set up the project management. Medved', (OGPU), was General Administrative Manager, K.K. Sirken was Head of Design Bureau, N.V. Barykov was Deputy for Manufacturing, and A. Vorobiev, (UMM) was Deputy for Design. The experimental TG Tank was completed in the summer of 1931. The tank featured three-level armament positions, elongated hull to 7.5 meters, turret located in the rear, a high box section located under the turret, a running gear with high tracks that was covered by an armored skirt, and a small observation turret with a periscope and a hydraulically assisted transmission controls.

The tank was armed with a 76.2 mm-Grote-Syatchentov-Cannon, with a slit muzzle brake with a wedge type breach and thee ball-mounted Maxim-Machineguns, all set in a box section under the turret for a second level of armament. The cannon could be turned ±10° in a horizontal plane and elevated from -8° to +12° in a vertical plane. Two DT-Machineguns, in ball-mountings were fixed in side plates of the driving compartment, which constituted the first level of armament. Both guns had a limited arc of fire.


TG on wheels. VAMM. 1931.
The third level of armament comprised of a 37 mm, PS-1 Cannon in a rotating turret located on top of the box section. The cannon could fire at ground and low flying targets at an elevation of -12° to +30°. Ammunition consisted of fifty 76.2 mm shells, eighty 37 mm shells and 7,000 rounds for the machineguns.

The five-man crew consisted of: a driver, commander, (also responsible for the 37 mm-cannon), machine gunner, and a gunner and loader, (76.2 mm-cannon). The driver had three vision panels with slits for field observation while driving. A periscope was mounted on top of the turret for the tank commander. On top of the driving compartment, (2) oval hatches provided access to the tank.

The light armor consisted of 8, 13, 16, 20 and 30 mm, rolled, steel-plates, jointed together by welding. In the rear section of the hull, a M-6 carburetor-engine, throttled to produce 250 hp, (184 kw) powered the TG. (The engine designed by Grote was not ready at the time of the trials). Transmission gears included a multi-disk, main dry-friction clutch, a six-speed gearbox with V shape teeth, and a full reverse mechanism, (2) side clutches, and (2), one-step reduction gears housed in the front wheels.

The suspension had individual springs (i.e., Christie Tank). The running gear was made of (2) idlers, (10) large-diameter, road wheels with 'Elastic' lining, (6) support wheels, (four of medium diameter with external shock absorbers and two of smaller diameter), and driving sprockets located at the rear which are locked with tracks by a chain. All of the road wheels were equipped with brakes in the event that tracks broke or fell off.




TG on trials at NIIBT proving ground.


Road tests took place from June 27 to October 1, 1931. The 25-ton tank had a top speed of 35 km/h on paved roads and a range of 165 km in open terrain. The transmission and traction systems, along with the steering gears proved unreliable during tests. Representatives of UMM and VOAO formed a committee to study the test results. Upon conclusion, it was agreed to designate the tank as an experimental type. Further testing of all new features was required. Despite rectifying the faults that were found during testing, it was decided that the TG Tank would not be introduced to production. Further work on the TG Tank was suspended and the services of Edward Grote were no longer required. Soon after, in August 1933, Grote was requested to leave the U.S.S.R. Despite the fact that the TG did not enter mass production, Soviet Engineers gained substantial experience in the design of medium weight tanks.


Sources:
M.Pavlov, I.Pavlov, I.Zheltov "Sovetskie Srednie Tanki Dovoennogo Perioda" Armada #7, 2000:
M.Kolomiets, I.Moshanskiy "Mnogobashennie Tanki RKKA" Frontovaya Illustratsiya #5, 2000;

[cyberia]

Love it!!!

[Wicked]

SU-101 and SU-102 Self-Propelled Gun

In autumn 1944, production of a new mid - weight self-propelled gun, designated SU-100, with the D-10S 100mm cannon was started at UZTM (also known as Uralmash). Within its class, the vehicle was manoeuvrable and well protected, with 75mm thick sloped frontal armour. (For comparison: the SU-152 Heavy Assault Self-Propelled Gun was also protected by 75mm thick frontal armour). In spite of this, there were some shortcomings common for vehicles with crew compartments located at the front. The long gun barrel increased the overall length of the vehicle. The projection of the barrel outside the hull made manoeuvring in the confined areas more difficult and limited the ability to drive across-country (due to barrel hitting the ground), and in wooded areas. The centre of gravity was transferred forward, which led to the overloading of front road wheels and consequently causing damage to the running gear and suspension. Finally, there was no satisfactory locking device to immobilise the barrel while on the move.


The profile of the SU-101 self-propelled gun
At the same time, improved armour protection on German AFVs called for an increase in firepower of Soviet tanks and SP-guns. This brought about the introduction of more powerful guns with longer barrels, up to the point where utilising the basic elements of T-34 tank was no longer practical. A hull with a completely new layout was required.

In the summer of 1944, work on the new layout started simultaneously with production of SU-100 in the UZTM. By the end of 1944, N.V. Kurin, the designer, developed a number of basic designs for new SP-guns utilising hulls of all currently available Soviet tanks - as they were designed and also with redesigned the layouts.

In October 1944, the UZTM submitted five designs for review by Technical Council of NKTP:

SU-122P, armed with the 122mm gun D-25S, at that time cast in metal and successfully undergoing plant trials;
ESU-100, armed with the 100mm gun D-10S, with the crew compartment at the rear and electric transmission;
SU-100-M-1, armed with the 100mm gun D-10S, fitted onto the hull of T-34 tank. The crew compartment was moved to the rear, whilst the engine and transmission unit were moved forward;
SU-100-M-2, armed with the 100mm gun D-10S, based on the T-44 tank with the crew compartment at the rear;
SU-122-44, armed with the 122mm gun D-25-44S, utilising the hull and systems of the T-44 tank and having the crew compartment in the front.
The Technical Council considered the SU-100-M-2 and SU-122-44 as the best. By Decree #625, of the NKTP 26th October 1944, UZTM was to complete the design, prepare workshop drawings and manufacture experimental units of the SU-100-M-2 and SU-122-44.

In December 1944, whilst undertaking detailed design work on the SU-122-44, it became obvious that, due to the 5 metre long barrel, its weight and dimensions were excessive. At the same time, the SU-100-M-2 with a crew compartment at the rear, was shorter in length and the total weight, including increased armour, was in line with other vehicles of its class. Based on the results, it was decided to proceed with work only on the SU-100-M-2, whilst work on the SU-122-44 was halted by the Directive #107 of the NKTP dated 7th March 1945. The same directive allocated the name "Uralmash-1" and set the date of 1st May 1945 for the first trial unit to be ready.

It is worth mentioning that the "Uralmash-1" design SP-gun was prepared by the design section of UZTM headed by L. Gorlitskiy in August 1943. However, it was not approved by the NKTP and was left "frozen" for a while.


SU-102 self-propelled gun
A.M. Lechtcind, I.I. Emmanuilov, A.G. Gaivaronskiy, G.F.Ksyunin, I.F. Vakhrushev, L.A. Pinus, E.A. Karlinskiy, E.I. Linkov, D.A. Geriev, V.L. Likhomanov, N.N. Efimov, A.D Nekhludov and others contributed to the design, and the head designer was L.I. Gorlitskiy.

During March and April 1945, the two experimental vehicles were completed. One, designated SU-101, had the D-10S 100mm gun, the other, SU-102, was armed with the D-25S-44 122mm gun. By the end of the Great Patriotic War, these two units and one unarmed hull for testing the armour protection were completed.

The "Uralmash-1" was an example of the SP-gun with a fully enclosed crew compartment at the rear and power/transmission unit at the front. In contemporary documents, it was often named as "of Ferdinand type".

The hull of the SP-gun was made of welded rolled steel plates sloped to increase protection. The thickness of the hull front plate was 90mm at an of angle 27°; the crew compartment was protected by 122mm thick plate set at an of angle 35°. Side armour was 75mm thick, while rear armour plate was 40mm thick. The plates of the hull and crew compartment were combined at the rear. On the right side, there was a square armoured hatch. In the top of crew compartment, there was a circular rotating hatch fitted with a commander's observation sight.


SU-101 in Kubinka museum.
The D-10S gun was fitted in the solid mantlet in front plate of the crew compartment The barrel overhung the hull by 630 mm. The gun could be elevated between +18° and -2° in vertical plane, and traversed 22.5°. Thirty-five fixed ammunition rounds were provided. A telescopic sight TSh-19 and panoramic viewer were installed. The 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine-gun DShK, with 450 rounds, was mounted near the top hatch.

The V-2-44 engine was located lengthways, in the front and to the right of the hull. The driver was situated on the left side. The transmission system was borrowed from the T-34 tank, though a few changes were introduced. The torsion bar suspension was adopted from the T-44 tank. The drive sprocket was used from the T-34 tank. With a weight of 34.1 tonnes, the SP-gun was able to reach speeds up to 54 km/h. There was a four man crew.

For outside communication, the 9-RS radio was provided and internally TPU-3bisF. The vehicle was also provided with a signal system and intercom linking the commander and driver.

The SU-102 differed from the SU-101 by having a D-25S-44 122mm gun with a vertical elevation of between +18,5° -0°24', it could be traversed 19°. Due to the small size of crew compartment, the ammunition complement was only 28 fixed rounds (compared to the D-25 gun for JS-2 or JSU-122 which used two-piece shells). The weight increased marginally to 34.8 tonnes.

In the summer and autumn 1945, factory trials of both vehicles took place. Some installations had to be adjusted or changed, in particular ventilation and engine cooling systems. The temperature in the driver and crew compartments was high, and as a result the driver's station had to be relocated. As a result of concentrated efforts by designers and fitters, the two experimental vehicles were made ready for field tests.


SU-101 in Kubinka.
The "Uralmash-1" SP-guns were superior to any other Soviet SP-guns. The new layout allowed them to make it more compact, improved manoeuvrability and drivability in rough terrain. Safety of the crew was enhanced with the provision of the rear hatch. Armoured protection was better due to the compact layout. High points were scored during field trials with artillery fire. According to the Special Commission report, the overall armour protection of "Uralmash-1" proved better than armour on any other Soviet tank and SP-gun, including the JS-2 and JSU-152! Equal load distribution on the road wheels reduced wear and tear. The location of the crew compartment to the rear, allowed the mounting of a very long barrelled cannon such as D-10 or D-25.

On the negative side, the crew compartment was smaller than in the SU-100 and, despite improvements introduced to engine cooling system, conditions for the driver were extremely hard, and in hot days unbearable! Gunfire affected the integrity of the crew compartment top plate, especially in the SU-102.

Both SP-guns hurriedly passed their tests and were recommended for acceptance into service. Nevertheless, they were not accepted. There were many reasons, the end of the war, demobilization, and an excessive number of already manufactured SP-guns. However, I believe the main reason was the introduction of the T-54 tank with its 100mm gun, that led to termination of work on "Uralmash-1".

At present, an SU-101 is displayed in the Military Historical Museum of Tank Arms and Technology in Kubinka.

[Wicked]

The famous one...

SU-100Y Self-Propelled Gun (do not confuse with the another serial SAU SU-100 - "the beast hunter", the later model of SU-85)

Heavy breakthrough tank T-100 became a base model used for development of several vehicles designed on the basis of experience gained during the war with Finland (1939-1940).

At the beginning of the Soviet-Finnish war the Red Army realized necessity of having dedicated engineering armoured vehicles. Consequently, in the middle of December 1939, War Council of the North-Western Front obliged the Factory #185 to develop and manufacture an armoured engineering vehicle based on the T-100 Heavy Tank. The vehicle was to be used for laying bridges, transport of sappers and explosives, as well as evacuation of damaged tanks from battlefield. As design works were in progress the Head of ABTU Red Army, D. Pavlov, set the task that (cite) "152mm or similar high velocity cannon be fitted on the T-100 tank base" to destroy DOTs (concrete pillboxes) and other fortified structures. Accordingly the director of Factory #185, N. Barykov, requested the War Council of the North-Western Front to change the order to prepare an engineering AFV for the one to re-fit the tank with 100mm or 130mm naval gun. The request was accepted and by 8th of January 1940 drawings of the hull of T-100-X, as the new SP-Gun was designated, were forwarded to Izhorskyi Factory.


SU-100Y in Kubinka. Autumn 1940
The difference between T-100 and T-100-X was that the T-100 had a rotating turret whilst the latter - a wedge-shaped fighting compartment with 130mm B-13 Naval Gun. The vehicle had torsion bar suspension that was prepared by Kirov Factory since it had already gained substantial experience in similar suspensions. During detailing works on the fighting compartment its shape was simplified to reduce manufacturing time. The revised design was designated SU-100Y (in the Soviet designation the "X, Y, Z" letters were latin - iks, igrek, zet), though in few documents it was called T-100-Y. The hull of SU-100Y was shipped form the Izhorskyi Factory on 24th February 1940, and on 1st of March assembling works started. The self-propelled gun was first driven on 14th of March. By that time the Soviet-Finnish War ended and SU-100Y could not be tested under the combat conditions.


The rear hatch in the fighting compartments of the SU-100Y. Kubinka.
Earlier, while the war was still going on, attempts were made to modernise T-100 tank by installing heavier armament. In January 1940 a deputy of National Commisar of Defence and 1st rank army commander G. Kulik, ordered (cite) "to increase the T-100 firepower by installation of 152mm M-10 howitzer to be capable of destroying concrete structures dragon teeth in defence lines". A new turret with 152mm M-10 howitzer was completed in the middle of March 1940 to replace the original turret with 76mm L-11 gun. The new model was designated T-100-Z. Installation of the new turret was abandoned as KV-1 and KV-2 tanks were being brought into service. ABTU suspended all works on further modifications of T-100 tank.

In April 1940 construction bureau of Factory #185 led by Mr. Shufrin produced a design of heavy tank for seashore defence based on T-100 "Object 103". 130mm B-13 naval gun was fitted in the rotating turret and three 7.62mm DT machine-guns were installed. The design however stayed on the drawing board.


Running Gear. Kubinka
As the works on the T-100 were terminated, fate of SU-100Y was sealed. The SP-Gun was transferred to Kubinka in summer 1940. It was not evacuated at the beginning of war. In November 1941, during the most critical stage of the battle of Moscow SU-100Y, together with 152mm gun armed experimental SU-14 and SU-14-1 self-propelled guns, was pressed into service in an Independent Artillery Divizion for Special Duties (there is no mistake, Soviet "divizion" term is similar to battalion but applied for artillery units). Records of the combat employment of the SU-100Y have not been found.

[Wicked]

The rear of the SU-100Y. Kubinka


Armoured vehicles based on T-100 chassis:
1. T-100-X (first design)
2. T-100-Y (a.k.a. SU-100Y)
3. "Object 103"