BT-7

Type: Light tank Nationality: USSR
The BT-7 is the last version of the BT tank. New tracks improved reliability while a more powerful engine and larger fuel tank increased the range. The armour was thickened.
The price to pay, a slight decrease in the top speed, had very little practical impact. It was still able to run faster than 50 kph.
Engaged successfully in Spain and in Mandchuria, it sustained a costly defeat facing the Finns, while it was used as an infantry tank, a role in total contradiction with its architecture. It went on fighting until the end of 1941 and took part in the battle for Moscow. Fron 1942 onwards, it disappeared from the frontline.
Identification: The turret of the first version of the BT-7 was similar to the one of the BT-5. The two tanks can only be distinguished thanks to their construction method: welding for the BT-7, riveting and visible bolts for the BT-5.
A second version, the BT-7/2 got a reinforced turret with sloped sides and a another design for the mantlet.
Built by N/A N/A
Other designation(s): BT M1937
Based on: BT

VariousWeight (combat ready): 14 tons
Ground pressure: 0.74 kg per cm²
Length: 5.66 meters
Width: 2.29 meters
Height: 2.42 meters
Crew: 3 men

Armor & ArmamentMaximum Armour: 22 mm
Minimum Armour: 10 mm

PropulsionEngine: Klimov M-17
Power: 450 HP
Specific power: 33 HP / ton
Speed (*): 52 kph
Fuel tank: 790 liters
Mileage (*): 230 liters per 100 km
Range (*): 343 km

ProductionQuantity: 1 200 examples
From: 1937
To: 1939

(*) on road
Additional information on the web (for the model): [OnWar]

Production & Usage
	Années 20	1930-35	1936-38	1939				1940				1941				1942				1943	1944	1945

Production:			.	.	.

Front est:		.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.

Méditerranée:			.

Asie-Pacif.:						.

Users: Spanish Republicans, USSR, Finland

A Russian BT-7, victim of the German progression in the first weeks of the Barbarossa operation.