Friday 28 August 2015

IS-3 Reliability Testing

"Report on the mobility trials of the modernized IS tank, Kirov factory

On April 8th, 1945, the tank travelled 108 km over dirt roads. The engine worked for 6 hours and 9 minutes. During this time, the following data was collected:
  • Average speed in motion: 19.7 kph
  • Average technical speed: 18.8 kph
  • Fuel consumption per hour of work: 73 L
  • Fuel consumption per 100 km: 370 L
  • Maximum coolant temperature: 85 C
  • Maximum oil temperature: 87 C
  • Oil pressure: 6-7.5 kg/cm^2
At the end of the march, a road wheel and drive wheel broke down due to the destruction of the ball bearings. The tank travelled 980 km and the engine worked for 58 hours and 18 minutes since trials began."


An interesting part of this document is a handwritten note over top of it: "Why does the IS-3 have such a large advantage in speed compared to the 701 tank? This must be confirmed." Looks like the IS-4 wasn't doing so hot in its race to become the Red Army's next heavy tank.

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