New Tanks

"Decree of the Committee of Defense of the Council of People's Commissars #198ss

On the RKKA Tank Armament System

August 7th, 1938

Top Secret

Taking into account the experience of combat and study as well as the requirements for tanks on the modern battlefield, the Committee of Defense decrees that the following tank system will be adopted.

1. Tanks
1. Breakthrough tank (anti-tank gun destroyer): tracked type produced according to ABTU requirements developed at the tank meeting and approved by the People's Commissar of Defense (attachment #1).
1. The People's Commissar of Machinebuilding (NKMash) must deliver an experimental breakthrough tank by May 1st, 1939. Produce a wooden model and show it to the commission on September 1st, 1938.
2. The People's Commissar of Defense Industry (NKOP) must produce and deliver to the People's Commissar of Defense an experimental breakthrough tank for trials by July 1st, 1939. A model of this tank must be approved by the model commission by November 1st, 1938.
3. The NKO must test all experimental breakthrough tank prototypes and select the one most closely matching requirements for a breakthrough tank to accept into service in the RKKA.
4. As soon as the tank is put into production, remove the T-28 and T-35 from production.

Video: Did T-34 Prototypes See Battle?

It is often claimed that T-34 tank prototypes were tested in combat in the Winter War, and sometimes even in the Battle of Khalkin Gol. I explore whether or not this was possible and where the tanks were at the time of these conflicts in my latest video.

Leaning by Doing

"December 13th, 1939

#212472

To the Assistant of the Chief of the General Staff of the RKKA, Corps Commander comrade Zaharov

RE: your #57129s/s

It is not possible to perform battlefield trials of the KV, SMK, T-100, A-20, A-32, T-40, A5, A7M tanks or the BA-11 armoured car in 1939, as the experimental KV, SMK, and T-100 tanks are currently undergoing proving grounds trials.

Experimental prototypes of the A-20, A-32, T-40, A5, A7M tanks, and the BA-11 armoured car passed proving grounds trials, and the factories are now making changes to blueprints based on the results of the trials, in order to produce pilot batches.

Only tanks and armoured cars produced in 1940 will be sent to battlefield trials. 

Modernized T-28 tanks will not undergo battlefield trials, and will be issued to regular Belorussian Military District units. 

The modernized T-26 tank has a new suspension, but the turbocharged engine has not yet arrived, and therefore battlefield trials will be postponed until 1940.

The SBT bridgelayer tank will be transferred to battlefield trials in December of 1939.

On the orders of Assistant Chief of the ABTU, Corps Commander Pavlov Panfilov

On the orders of Military Commissar of the ABTU, Brigade Commissar Kulikov"

RGVA 31811-3-1632 p.62

Prewar Prototypes

"November 11th, 1939
#0830/s

To the Chief of the 8th Department of the ABTU, Military Engineer 1st Class comrade Afonin

Report on the trials of the A-32 (weight down) and preparations for trials of the A-20 and Voroshilovets tractor

1. The A-32 (second prototype) weighed down to the weight of an A-34 has travelled 1047 km. During the third march, the average moving speed off-road was no more than 20-23 kph. This was caused by terrible conditions of the terrain (mud). Typically, the vehicle can only drive in second gear off-road. The transmission is working well in these conditions, there haven't been any defects. A trip on a highway is planned on November 10th to test the running gear.
2. Presently, A-20 components (improving the wheeled drive transmission) are undergoing mechanical finishing.
3. Despite our insistence, Voroshilovets tractors are not being worked on at all. Management of department 500 claims that its equipment is occupied with other projects (A-7, D-3, D-5, etc). This situation may result in the Voroshilovets tractor not being ready for mass production by January 1st, 1940.

Military representative of the RKKA, Military Engineer 3rd Class, Baikov."

RGVA 31811-3-1632 p. 33

T-34 Prototype Testing

"To the Chief of the 8th Department of the RKKA ABTU, Military Engineer 1st Grade Afonin

Report on the A-32 (weighed down), preparations for testing A-20 components, and the Voroshilovets tractor

1. The A-32 vehicle (second) weighed down to the weight of an A-34 travelled 1047 km. During the 3rd and last round of trials, the average movement speed was not higher than 20-23 kph due to the terrible condition of the terrain (mud). The vehicle could only move in second gear.
   The transmission held up well in these conditions, no defects were discovered. Testing of the suspension on a paved road is scheduled for November 10th.
2. At present, A-20 components (reinforced components for wheel drive) are still being processed.
3. Voroshilovets tractor components, despite our numerous demands, are not being worked on at all. Department 500 administration claims that they are overloaded with components for other objects (A-7, D-3, D-5, etc). This situation may lead to Voroshilovets not being ready for production by January 1st, 1940.

ABTU military representative, Military Engineer 3rd Grade, Baikov."

"To the Chief of the 8th Department of the RKKA ABTU, Military Engineer 1st Grade Afonin

To the Chief of the 4th Department of the RKKA ABTU, Military Engineer 1st Grade Altymov

Report on experimental work at Department 500 at the Comintern factory for November

In November of 1939, the following work was done at the experimental plant:

1. Trials of the A-32 vehicle loaded to the weight of an A-34 vehicle.
2. Trials of the A-7 to determine the warranty period.
3. Trials of parts and mechanisms of the A-7.
4. Assembly of experimental components on the Voroshilovets tractor.
5. Production of the A-34 vehicle.

The A-32 vehicle loaded to the weight of an A-34 travelled 1534 km, 500 km of which was on a highway. Over this distance, the following data was obtained:

1. One kilometer of travel off-road burns 1.8-3.2 kg of fuel.
2. Same for a highway: 1.45 kg.
3. Average speed off-road is 18-29 kph, on the highway 35 kph.

The range in speeds is caused by the condition of the terrain. No defects were found during trials. Two trial runs were made using the factory #183 servo without a differential valve. Results are satisfactory.

...

Condition of the A-34 vehicle as of November 28th, 1939

1. Blueprints have been submitted to production.
2. Development of technological processes and equipment for measuring and mechanical work is not yet complete.
3. Out of 989 components, the mechanical plants have made 332.
4. Assembly has not yet started.
5. Armour is scheduled to arrive on December 2nd, 1939.
6. Production of individual components and assemblies is slightly late.

ABTU senior military representative, Military Engineer 2nd Grade, Kozyrev

ABTU military representative, Military Engineer 3rd Grade, Baikov."

"Report of plant #540 #086, December 18th, 1939 on the factory trials of the A-32 loaded to 24 tons.
...
Conclusions

The trials established that:

1. The A-32 tank loaded to 24 tons presented for trials mostly passed fall conditions trials satisfactorily.
2. The stability of the tank as an artillery platform is good, oscillations die down quickly on bumpy roads.
3. It is significantly harder to control the tank without a servo than an A-7. With the servo, controlling the tank is easy.
4. In order to more easily turn on 1st and 2nd gear, it is reasonable to have the lever lean right, and the reverse gear, as an infrequently used one, be placed in the center.
5. In order to more reasonably use all gears and improve the temperature of the engine, it is reasonable to reduce the top speed of the tank to 50 kph.
6. The emergency with the gearbox is not a sign that the component is unreliable, as the replacement gearbox worked satisfactorily in even more difficult conditions.
7. The final drives and brakes worked satisfactorily. Summertime trials are necessary for a final conclusion.
8. The A-7M fan that replaced the broken fan worked satisfactorily, it is reasonable to make the fans interchangeable. 
9. In order to improve the lifespan of the tilted suspension nuts, it is reasonable to increase their height.
10. In order to prevent self-ejection of the bronze plugs in the tilted suspension, add stoppers.
11. Reinforce the road wheels in order to increase lifespan. 
12. Change the idlers to ease the tightening of tracks and reduce the time it takes to complete that task. Move the idler cranks outwards to increase the track lifespan.

Recommendations:

It is reasonable to produce experimental vehicles based on the A-32 tank with increased weight to 24 tons due to thicker armour."

RGVA 31811-3-1632

A-32 tank loaded to 24 tons for trials.

A-20 and A-32 Trials

"Summary of results from proving grounds trials of the A-20 and A-32 from July 18th to August 23rd, 1939

The A-20 convertible drive tank with 6 drive wheels was built according to tactical-technical requirements #284797 composed on May 13th 1939 with the following exceptions:

1. The flamethrower mount was not included.
2. The tank weight is 1.5 tons greater than projected.
3. The underwater driving equipment is not finished.

During trials, the A-20 travelled 4200 km with the following average movement speed:

1. Highway: 44.4 kph
2. Dirt: 31.7 kph

The A-20 tank can keep moving on highways, off-road, and over obstacles with only one track while the wheel drive is engaged. The tank can move in a column on a highway at any time of year and on dry dirt roads. The maximum speed on tracks is 75 kph.

During trials the tank demonstrated satisfactory reliability.

The A-32 tank is built according to the same tactical-technical requirements and is armed with a 76 mm gun. During trials, the tank travelled 3000 km and also demonstrated satisfactory reliability.

The A-20 and A-32 have the following advantages of the the BT tanks:

• The armour is thicker and placed at an angle, guaranteeing protection against 12.7 mm bullets.
• Tanks have larger internal volume, and it is used better.
• The tanks are more stable as a firing platform and have a front machinegun in the hull.
• The tanks have better off-road performance than the BT tanks.
• The V-2 diesel is less dangerous from a fire safety standpoint, is more economical, works off heavy fuel, gives the ability to drive more in battle, and is easier to service.
• The crew is increased to 4 men.
• The A-32 has a reserve in mass, meaning it can be protected by thicker armour.

Drawbacks of the tanks:

• Insufficiently reliable idler mounts.
• Fuel and oil leak due to insufficiently robust tanks.
• The A-20 wheel drive bearings are unreliable.
• Crew positions and optics are not finalized.

Conclusions:

The A-20 tank is acceptable for use by the RKKA. Include improvement in blueprints based on the results of trials.

The A-32 tank is acceptable for use by the RKKA. Use the mass reserve to increase armour to 45 mm or equivalent. Produce two prototypes that will be sent to military trials.

Chief of the 8th Department of the ABTU RKKA, Military Engineer 1st Grade, Afonin."

RGVA 31811-2-1181