This tank was designed in December of 1942 by Vasiliy Stepanovich Greshnikov, an infantryman, giving a rather interesting view into what infantry wants out of their tank.
TNPP (Direct Infantry Support Tank), light, tracked, with a 75-100 hp engine
Suspension: torsion bar (idler in the rear)
Controlled by friction clutches
Clearance: variable, up to 400 mm
Track: small link
Armament:
- Automatic or regular 82 mm mortar
- Simple semiautomatic anti-tank rifle
- Coaxial submachinegun
- Mortar: 360 degrees
- Anti-tank rifle: 360 degrees
- Submachinegun: 45 degrees
Elevation:
- Mortar: 45 to 80 degrees
- Anti-tank rifle: -5 to +75 degrees"
The basic concept seems rather similar in purpose to the British "carrier" family, ie. moving assorted lighter crew-served support weapons around under some protection, what now rather better protected. (One somewhat wonders about the visibility from the thing though.) Hardly a bad idea as such - the Carriers were quite useful after all - but can't really blame the higher pay grades for preferring the path that eventually led to the SU-76...
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