Monday 21 July 2014

Super BT

Tactical-Technical requirements for armour screens of BT-5 and BT-7 tanks
July 4th, 1941

Overall requirements

In order to increase the armour of existing BT-5 and BT-7 tanks, it is necessary to attach armour screens. The main requirements of armour screens are as follows:
  1. The armour must be attachable at repair bases, repair factories, and at factories when the tank undergoes major repairs.
  2. Screens can be attached directly against the armour, as well as up to 25 mm away from the armour.
  3. The reliability of armour screens should withstand driving the vehicle and being hit by machinegun bullets and shells.
  4. In all cases, the armour cannot sustain brittle damage (cracking and shattering).
  5. Experimental screens are produced in two variants:
    1. the first variant, equipping the BT-5 with armoured screens:
      1. Front of the hull: 35 mm thick
      2. Upper side hull: 30 mm
      3. Turret: 35 mm
      4. Rear: 20 mm
    2. the second variant, equipping the BT-7 with armoured screens:
      1. Front of the hull: 35 mm thick
      2. Upper side hull: 30 mm
      3. Turret: 35 mm
      4. Rear: 20 mm
        Note: factory #183 is allowed to increase the thickness of these screens with the condition that the total weight of the plates does not exceed 3000 kg.
  6. The changes to the mobility characteristics of the BT-7 and BT-5 will be evaluated during trials.
  7. Two BT-5 and two BT-7 tanks will be built.
  8. The screens should be compatible with both cylindrical and conical turrets, with the condition that the turrets still need to rotate 360 degrees.
  9. While designing the screen configuration, factory #183 should resolve the following issues:
    1. a) Technological process of screen production
    2. b) An original method for the attachment of screens.
    3. c) Instructions for installation and removal of tank components with the screens mounted.

Chief of the 3rd Department of the BTU, Military Engineer 1st grade, Afonin
Chief of the 3rd Section of the 3rd Department of the BTU, Military Engineer 2nd grade Vurtsev"

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