T-37A M1933

T-37A M1933
Image: T-37 (Red Army Photo)
YearNovember 1933
Vehicle TypeLight Amphibious Tank
Origin & Designer[@designer]
Numbers Produced1.130
Crew2 (Commander/Gunner & Driver)
Main ArmamentEither:
1 x 7.62mm DT Machine Gun
1 x 12.7mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation-5° to +5°
Turret Traverse360° (Manual)
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun SightMP
Secondary Armament[@secondary_armament]
Smoke Discharger[@smoke_discharger]
Ammunition Carried585 x 12.7mm or 7.62mm
Height1.82m
Width2.10m
Length3.75m
Combat Weight3.200 kg
Ground Clearance0.30m
Fording DepthFloats
Trench Crossing1.60m
Obstacle Clearance0.50m
Climbing Ability40°
Radio[@radio]
ArmourHull Front: 9mm
Hull Sides: 10mm
Hull Rear: 9mm
Hull Top: 6mm
Hull Bottom: 6mm
Gun Mantle: 9mm
Turret Front: 9mm
Turret Sides: 9mm
Turret Rear: 9mm
Turret Top: 6mm
EngineGAZ AA (Petrol)
Transmission4 Forward & 1 Reverse
Maximum Road Range230 km
Maximum Cross Country Range103 km
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed35 kph
Maximum Cross Country Speed6 kph
Maximum Water Speed4 kph
VariantsT-37TU: Command Version Equipped with Radio. T-37U: Command Version Equipped with Radio.
NotesThe T-37A was the world’s first massed produced amphibious tank and developed from a Vickers design tankette. It had just enough armour to stop a standard bullet and was armed with just a single machine gun. It was issued for use in a reconnaissance role, but many were used in the infantry support role. It first saw action during the Soviet 1939 invasion of Poland and many were still in use during the opening phase of Operation Barbarossa, these suffered huge losses against the well led and well equipped German spearheads.