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T-28

1933 SPANISH CIVIL WAR WINTER WAR WORLD WAR 2

History

In the early 1930s, the Soviets began to develop an indigenous tank - specifically the T-28 medium tank series, based on lessons learned from British and German experimental designs. The ultimate goal was to produce modern standard tanks in line with the Red Army's theory of mechanization at the time.

As such, the T-28 was designed somewhat like a post-World War I style concept, with long-barreled side-mounted tracks, a plate-side superstructure integrated into the fuselage, and multiple turrets that could accommodate different calibers. The main armament (which houses the largest caliber gun) is usually housed in a 360-degree rotating circular turret in the central front of the superstructure, while the smaller caliber turrets have two separate circular turrets mounted on the main gun Both sides but limited fire range.

The driver would be in the forward fuselage, flanked by a smaller pair of turrets. The vehicle will be driven by no fewer than six people to operate the various systems. The general idea behind this seemingly complex arrangement is that the armored system can fire from different angles and focus it on any target as needed. In addition, the Soviets knew very little about designing tanks to deviate from the usual internal knowledge, so this approach proved to be a need at the time.

The new tank, in fact, was a learning experience for the country itself. While by all accounts this may seem like an old attempt, the new design will provide Soviet tank engineers with valuable information for future tank work that the upcoming World War II can apply for.

An experimental vehicle (prototype) was completed, Soviet engineers first installed a 47mm gun on the main turret. For the time, it was enough, but it will soon be replaced by a new generation of tanks that will appear in the upcoming war. Realizing this, engineers redesigned the production model, called the T-28 (Type 1934), to accept the more powerful short-barreled 76.2mm gun.

A similar follow-up production model, known as the T-28A, had more armor protection. Production of the first series left the Leningrad factory in 1933 and continued until 1938, after which a revised design of the T-28B (1938 model) came online soon at the end of the year.

This variant is equipped with a long-barreled 76.2mm L-10 series cannon with a basic stabilization system for more accurate fire. The engine family has been revised to improve performance and bring the T-28 to a level capable of adapting to a changing world.

Production of the T-28B continued until 1940. However, by now, large outdated beasts like the T-28 had ended production, only to make way for newer and more modern armor systems. Ultimately, about 503 T-28 tanks were produced.

However, in limited combat, the T-28 showed its limitations, especially in armor protection. Throughout the series, the T-28's armor thickness varied from 0.79 inches to 3.15 inches, and the T-28 suffered huge losses against the Finns' anti-tank weapons and special tactics.

Such was the failure of armor protection, and the field modification (called decal armor) gave the T-28 crew a fighting chance to get the armor protection section up to 6 inches. As a result, the modified T-28 tanks received the additional designation "T-28E" to indicate their modification: the "E" for "ekanirovki" meant "screened", but more importantly, they were "armored". The T-26E also entered the Soviet Army's inventory under the designation T-28C or T-28M (1940 model). Attempts to further expand the T-28's use in the Finnish war resulted in some hulls being fitted with mine rollers to detect and activate enemy mines before the "softer" bottom of the advancing T-28 was exposed to them.

This action will undoubtedly test the nerves of any tank crew.

By the time Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the T-28 was past its heyday. The weapons upgrade program was dubious at best, the T-28 was slow, bulky, and the multiple turret systems with multiple weapon systems were difficult to coordinate in the heat of battle. The 76.2mm gun used by the T-28 was considered insufficient against the new German armor development.

The T-28's plate side armor itself was a tempting target for anti-tank personnel and proved to be easily penetrated by long-range forming projectiles. The T-28's performance quality deteriorated with increased armor, and the crew was basically a sitting duck when caught by German tanks in the open air.

Currently, the T-28 has been completed as a main battle tank and is ready to be replaced by experienced Soviet armored engineering products, including war-winning designs such as the KV and IS heavy series, as well as the world-renowned T-34 medium tank.

In addition to serving in the Soviet army, the T-28 also (in limited quantities) entered the inventories of the Finnish, Hungarian and German armies as captured booty. Turkey is believed to have purchased a pair of T-28s outright in 1935 as part of a wider purchase of military vehicles.

Spain may have received a T-28 prototype from the Soviet Union during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, which essentially proved to be a testing ground for novel military machines.