Tuesday 18 June 2019

The New T-34

"December 6th, 1940
#77319ss
To Regional Engineer at factory #183, Military Engineer 2nd Class, comrade Kozyrev

The following is a list of changes and additions necessary to add to the production T-34 tank.
  1. Complete battle weight of no more than 26 tons.
  2. Armament: one 76 mm L-11 gun with coaxial DT machinegun, a second DT for the radio operator, and a submachinegun (PPD) in the turret for firing through hatches. Install the F-34 76 mm gun after January 1941.
  3. The ammunition loadout of the tank should be:
    1. 100 76 mm rounds for the cannon
    2. 4500 DT rounds
    3. 500 PPD rounds
    4. 25 hand grenades
  4. Armour:
    1. Driver's cabin: 45 mm at 30 degrees
    2. Front plate: 45 mm at 57 degrees
    3. Sides: 45 mm at 0 degrees
    4. Sloped sides: 40 mm at 40 degeres
    5. Rear: 40 mm at 45-47 degrees
    6. Floor: 20 mm in the front and 16 mm in the rear
    7. Roof: 20 for the fighting compartment, 16 for the engine compartment
    8. Turret sides: 45 mm at 30 degrees
    9. Turret bustle floor: 20 mm
    10. Turret roof: 20 mm
      The gun mantlet and final driver covers should provide equvalent protection to the rest of the hull.
  5. Install the 600 hp V-2K diesel. The cooling system, lubricant, and fuel capacity should allow for 10-12 hours of non-stop work in any conditions a temperatures of -40 to +40 degrees. The air filter should clear the air to a purity of 95% for 10-12 hours in dusty conditions without cleaning. The engine should be startable with an electric starter, a hand cranked electric-inertial starter, or electric and compressed air starter without leaving the tank. The cooling fan must offer effective cooling and work without breaking until the tank goes through major repairs.
  6. In order to improve the conditions of the gun crew and improve control of the tank, widen the turret without changing the turret ring and install a commander's cupola with all-round vision on the roof.
  7. The ammunition rack must be comfortable to use and allow a rate of fire of 6 aimed shots on the move. The elevation of the gun must be within +30 and -5 degrees.
  8. The observation devices of the driver and radio operator must allow for visibility of both fenders, be proof against bullets and splash, be quickly replaceable if knocked out. Determine whether or not a front driver's hatch is necessary. Install observation devices (one per side) used by the driver and radio operator.
  9. Install the KRSTB radio in the front of the tank, but also allow for the 71-TK-3 radio to be installed. Use the folding whip antenna. The intercom must support three people (commander, driver, radio operator).
  10. Allow the installation of a flamethrower with a range of at least 90 meters and fuel stores for 10-12 shots.
  11. The reliability of the tank must allow for 7000 km of travel between major repairs. Final drives and the main clutch must work reliably in any road conditions without deformation of the friction disks. Adjustment of the transmission components must be done no more frequently than every 1000 km of driving.
    The warranty period of the running gear (track links, track pins, road wheels, drive wheels, etc.) is to be at least 3000 km. Use a lantern gear for the drive wheel. Allow for installation of grousers.
All aforementioned changes should be introduced as of February 1st, 1941.

Authorized representative of the Chief of the Red Army BTU, Military Engineer 1st Class, Alymov
Chief of the 3rd Department of the Red Army BTU, Military Engineer 1st Class, Afonin"

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