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Turretless T-34
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Der Alte Fritz
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Turretless T-34
Does anyone have any information on the use of these turretless T34s
Re: Turretless T-34
Armored tractor/evacuation vehicle. Typically they were converted from standard tanks with disabled guns or other damages in field workshops. Never formally authorized in TO&Es those vehicles were nevertheless employed widely.
Re: Turretless T-34
Greetings,
Some more info from the book Russian Tanks 1900-1970 by John Milsom, page 109.
Special purpose variants of the T-34
There have been several special purpose conversions of the T-34 tank and extensive use was made of turretless T-34 tanks for recovery purposes. Generally, the gap left by removing the turret was covered with a light armor plate which, in some cases was supplemented by the addition of a commanders cupola from a T-34/85 tank. Certain chassis used in the role were equipped with a boom, permitting the use of the vehicle as a mobile crane for armored workshops, in addition to its role as a straight towing vehicle. The weights of these vehicles varied, but generally they were in the region of 30 tons. Such ARVs (Armoured Recovery Vehicles) were designated TT-34.
It goes on to say that SU-85, SU-100 and SU-122 were also converted into ARVs.
Some more info from the book Russian Tanks 1900-1970 by John Milsom, page 109.
Special purpose variants of the T-34
There have been several special purpose conversions of the T-34 tank and extensive use was made of turretless T-34 tanks for recovery purposes. Generally, the gap left by removing the turret was covered with a light armor plate which, in some cases was supplemented by the addition of a commanders cupola from a T-34/85 tank. Certain chassis used in the role were equipped with a boom, permitting the use of the vehicle as a mobile crane for armored workshops, in addition to its role as a straight towing vehicle. The weights of these vehicles varied, but generally they were in the region of 30 tons. Such ARVs (Armoured Recovery Vehicles) were designated TT-34.
It goes on to say that SU-85, SU-100 and SU-122 were also converted into ARVs.
Re: Turretless T-34
Greetings,
A nice photo showing a TT-34 in action, towing disabled T-34 near Orel 1943.
https://padresteve.files.wordpress.com/ ... _kursk.jpg
and
Several model kits:
http://www.modellversium.de/galerie/img ... tamiya.jpg
http://a.modellversium.de/galerie/bilde ... 092666.jpg
Support vehicles
PT-34 - This was a mine roller attachment that could be mounted on any T-34 chassis.
T-34-T (T stands for tyagach ["tractor"]) - During World War II, some old T-34s were rebuilt as armored recovery vehicles (ARVs) with their turret removed; sometimes the turret ring was plated over or a superstructure was added in place of the turret. They were used solely for towing operations. Also known under the designation TT34.
SPK-5 (1955) - Turretless T-34 fitted with a crane with a capacity of 10 tons on a rotatable mount fitted in the turret ring.
SPK-5/10M - An SPK-5 was fitted with electro-hydraulic controls for the crane.
A nice photo showing a TT-34 in action, towing disabled T-34 near Orel 1943.
https://padresteve.files.wordpress.com/ ... _kursk.jpg
and
Several model kits:
http://www.modellversium.de/galerie/img ... tamiya.jpg
http://a.modellversium.de/galerie/bilde ... 092666.jpg
Support vehicles
PT-34 - This was a mine roller attachment that could be mounted on any T-34 chassis.
T-34-T (T stands for tyagach ["tractor"]) - During World War II, some old T-34s were rebuilt as armored recovery vehicles (ARVs) with their turret removed; sometimes the turret ring was plated over or a superstructure was added in place of the turret. They were used solely for towing operations. Also known under the designation TT34.
SPK-5 (1955) - Turretless T-34 fitted with a crane with a capacity of 10 tons on a rotatable mount fitted in the turret ring.
SPK-5/10M - An SPK-5 was fitted with electro-hydraulic controls for the crane.
Re: Turretless T-34
GKO decree No.5568s, 8 April 1944
Commander of Red Army's tanks and mechanized forces is authorized to manufacture 50 T-34 tractors each month beginning from April 1944. Tractors are to be converted from T-34 with damaged guns and turrets at NKO's tank repair factories. Tractors are to be manufactured in accordance with standard T-34 blueprints save for absence of a turret and weapons (except the hull machine gun) . Commander cupola is to be installed on the top.
Commander of Red Army's tanks and mechanized forces is authorized to manufacture 50 T-34 tractors each month beginning from April 1944. Tractors are to be converted from T-34 with damaged guns and turrets at NKO's tank repair factories. Tractors are to be manufactured in accordance with standard T-34 blueprints save for absence of a turret and weapons (except the hull machine gun) . Commander cupola is to be installed on the top.