Compared to other models, the T-50 tank had great prospects. From the very beginning, this project was conceived as a breakthrough due to the use of foreign technologies and the capacities of the Soviet industry.
The state of the industry on the eve of the Great Patriotic War
In the 30s of the XX century, tank building rapidly developed throughout the world. This was a relatively new branch in the military industry, and states invested a lot of money in promising developments. The USSR did not stand aside either, where, against the backdrop of unfolding industrialization, domestic tanks were created from scratch. In that decade, the T-26 took the leading position among the light class. It was an excellent means of supporting infantry on the battlefield.
However, very soon the armies of developed countries acquired cheap anti-tank artillery. The goal of the Soviet constructors was to create a machine that could effectively defend itself against new types of weapons. The military noted that the main drawbacks of the existing tank are insufficient engine power, overloaded suspension and low mobility during hostilities.
Active actions to create new prototypes began also due to the fact that almost all of the old command of the Red Army wasrepressed in the late 30s. Young cadres wanted to take the initiative wherever possible.
In addition, the Soviet-Finnish war began, which once again showed that the old bulletproof armor does not withstand artillery strikes. An important modernization project was entrusted to the design bureau under the leadership of Semyon Ginzburg. His team already had considerable experience in this field.
Influence of foreign tanks
First, the specialists decided to modify the T-26. In particular, the designers changed the suspension of prototypes in the likeness of those used on Czech Skoda tanks (model LT vz. 35). Then the Soviet government planned to buy this equipment, but eventually reconsidered its decision.
Another model that influenced the technical decisions of domestic specialists was the German PzKpfw III. One such tank was accidentally obtained by the Red Army as a war trophy during the Polish campaign in 1939. After that, another copy was officially received from the Wehrmacht in agreement with the government of the Third Reich. The machine was distinguished by greater maneuverability and reliability compared to Soviet models. The authorities, represented by Voroshilov, received notes that it was useful to use these technologies in the development of new items for the Red Army.
It was not yet a T-50 tank, but many of the ideas implemented then eventually became an integral part of the new vehicle.
Production
The war was coming. At this time, German carsalready triumphantly traveled around France. The final design decisions for the T-50 light tank were made as early as 1941.
The Council of People's Commissars issued a decree according to which the production of the new model was to begin in July. However, the war broke out, and plans had to be hastily changed.
Leningrad Plant No. 174, which was supposed to mass-produce a new model, was hastily evacuated to the rear. The ordeal of specialists and the great organizational difficulties associated with starting work in unprepared conditions led to the fact that the production of the T-50 ended in the spring of 1942. Mass product failed.
Rarity
Unlike other well-known and widespread vehicles of this series, the T-50 tank was sold in a small number of copies. Experts agree on a rough figure of 75 finished pieces off the assembly line.
And, despite its rarity, this model has been recognized as one of the most efficient and best in its class due to the combination of various characteristics.
Use
Due to the fact that at first the manufacturing plant was located in Leningrad, the Soviet T-50 tank was used mainly on the northwestern front. Some specimens ended up on the Karelian Isthmus, where there were battles with Finnish units. The memoirs of front-line soldiers have survived that the Soviet T-50 light tank was used during the battles near Moscow during the most difficult period of the war.
Due to the confusion at the beginning of the conflict, it was not possiblecreate a clear system for the supply of vehicles along a specific route. Most often, the decision for each tank was made individually. Some of them went to the training of personnel, others immediately went into battle to replace the out-of-service T-26s. Therefore, often the "fifties" had to act together with other models.
Since the vehicles were used in battles immediately after they were shipped from the factories, many elements of their designs had to be modified on the go. For example, the first operation near Leningrad showed that the engine start system needs some work.
Design
The production of T-50 tanks was carried out according to the classical scheme, when each part was created separately, and the assembly of the finished vehicle went from bow to stern. Externally, the model was very similar to the famous 34 series due to the same angles of inclination of the hull and turret.
The characteristics of the tanks were designed for four crew members. Three of them were in a special tower. It was the commander, loader and gunner. The driver was located separately in the control compartment, which was slightly off to the left side. The gunner was located to the left of the gun, while the loader sat on the right side. The commander was in the rear compartment of the tower.
Armaments
The T-50 tank received a semi-automatic rifled gun. It was developed back in the 30s and, with minor changes, was accepted as a constituent element of the new machine. Two machine guns were paired to the cannon, which could be easily removed bynecessary and used separately from the design of the tank. The firing range of the projectile could reach 4 kilometers. The mechanisms responsible for aiming were controlled by a manual drive. Standard ammunition consisted of 150 shells. The vehicle's rate of fire ranged from 4 to 7 rounds per minute, depending on the skill of the crew. The machine guns were supplied with 64 disks, in which there were about 4 thousand rounds of ammunition.
Chassis
The tank engine was based on a six-cylinder diesel unit. Its power was 300 horsepower. Depending on the situation on the battlefield, the crew could resort to various ways to start the car. First, a manual starter was available. Secondly, there were air reservoirs that started the engine with compressed air.
The fuel tanks had a capacity of 350 liters of fuel. According to calculations, this was enough to cover 340 kilometers on a good road. Part of the tanks was located in the fighting compartment, the other part - in the transmission.
Specialists argued for a long time about the arrangement of this part of the machine. Finally, it was decided to install a mechanical transmission consisting of a two-plate clutch, a four-speed gearbox and two final drives.
For each of the road wheels was created its own suspension. Steel tracks consisted of small links and had open metal hinges. They were supported by three small rollers.
Benefits
Despite littleuse, the personnel who worked with this tank noted its positive qualities in comparison with other domestic equipment. For example, the high reliability of the transmission and suspension was praised. The last of them generally had an innovative structure for the Soviet industry.
Before this, crews often complained about the excessive cramping and inconvenience inside the cabin. Ergonomic problems were solved after the design of German cars was taken as a basis. This made it possible to give each crew all the conditions for effective work on the battlefield, which would not be disturbed by the inconvenience inside the cockpit.
Soviet tanks of World War II often suffered from poor visibility, which the crew had to put up with. The T-50 was devoid of this shortcoming. Compared to its predecessor models, the Fifty was more dynamic and agile in combat due to its lighter weight and the elimination of unnecessary ballast. The engine power was also higher.
At the beginning of the war, the most common German anti-tank guns were 37 mm guns. The armor that the T-50 was equipped with coped with this threat without any problems. Its reliability indicators approached the values of medium tanks due to additional cementing.
Flaws
It was believed that the main disadvantage of the T-50 is its armament. The 45 mm cannon was no longer effective against enemy field fortifications and equipment.
Problem was also the quality of shells. With the rightin production, they could cause significant damage, but the devastation of the first year of the war led to the fact that the factories produced unsatisfactory products. This was partly due to a lack of equipment and components, partly due to the use of unprofessional labor, including civilians.
Only at the end of 1941, a new projectile was developed, on the creation of which the Hartz design bureau worked. After that the problem was solved. But by that time, the production of the tanks themselves had almost stopped.
Soviet industry failed to establish regular production of the T-50. A niche has formed. It was filled with tanks of the T-34 model, despite the high cost. But the 50 model remained a guide for designers when creating new prototypes of equipment.
Extant copies
To date, only three T-50s have survived. However, none of them are usable. The Tank Museum in Kubinka has two copies.
Another surviving car ended up in Finland. The army of this country captured it during the war. The Tank Museum in Parola still displays this T-50.
