T-44 - Soviet medium tank. It was created in 1943-1944 Uralvagonzavod design bureau under the guidance of A. A. Morozov and intended to replace T-34 as the primary medium tank RKKA. Despite significant resemblance to the T-34-85, constructively T-44 had little to do and was the representative of a brand new generation of tanks with him, which include the post-war T-54.
T-44 – video
Serial production of the T-44 began in 1944 year, However, during World War II it was conducted on a small scale in order to prevent reduction in the release of T-34-85 in the period of large-scale offensive operations; in the fighting of World War II Tank of participation did not accept.
After the war, the production of T-44 continued until 1947 of the year, its release is limited to a relatively small by the standards of the serial number of the tanks at the time (all were released 1823 This type of tank) and as the main medium tank, he never changed his T-34-85, which has been replaced by the T-54. Nevertheless, T-44, repeatedly becomes modernized, They remained in the Soviet army until 1970.
Creation and production
The concept of the tank T-44 was finally formed in autumn 1943 , on the basis provides information about military contacts of the T-34-76 with new German heavy tanks. It revealed, that in a meeting engagement with the "Tiger" or "Panther" "tridtsatchetvorka" even a new modification had no chance. In the current situation unfavorable for optimal long-term medium tank complex solution was maximum increase in thickness of the frontal armor in combination with a more powerful (comparable to the German heavy tanks) gun. Actually, T-44 Tank concept provides the alignment of the combat capabilities of relatively heavy medium tank while maintaining a medium tank superiority in speed and maneuver.
With a significant resemblance to the T-34-85, T-44 has radically different from the dimensions, arrangement and device. Replacing a relatively heavy and bulky spring suspension Christie, followed at T 34, on torsion bar suspension has released a lot of space, that led to a complete rethink of the tank layout. Disappeared nadgusenichnye recess and the side wall of the housing by vertical steel. The vacancy allowed to place the new engine B-44 than along the, and across the hull. In the engine changed location of water and oil pumps, thereby reducing the length and 300 mm height of the housing, save weight, and the savings used to enhance the body armor. fighting compartment was increased by a motor, and improved working conditions of the crew.
With the new arrangement could shift to the rear of the turret, so that the tower was located closer to the center of gravity of the tank, which increased accuracy on the move, reduced probability of scooping soil long-barreled gun when driving on rough terrain and allowed to more evenly distribute the load on the rollers. The load on the front rollers decreased due to the new tower location, and, Consequently, has increased the frontal armor of the hull to 90 mm, and the frontal armor of the tower to 120 mm. The angle of inclination of frontal sheet was increased to 60 ° and it became monolithic. If the T-34 was the weakest driver's hatch, located in the frontal armor sheet, the T-44 driver's hatch removed to free up space on the roof of the housing. Significantly all units and mechanisms of the tank have been improved. The crew was reduced to hand-radioman, since a radio service handled a tank commander. Besides, receiving tank commander orders directly from superiors, rather than through the crew member, increased efficiency. ESP-gun left by tradition, but now he was firmly fixed in the frontal armor, shooting out of it led a driver. A seat radio operator-gunner placed fuel tank.
The tank was adopted in July 1944 of the year, and before the end of the war in Kharkiv transported from Kirov factory number 38 (It renamed the number 75) Was built 190 machines, who did not have time to take part in the hostilities.
T-44 Release continued until 1947 year and amounted to 1823 units. Immediately attempt to upgrade the tank was made after the war, setting a 100mm gun LB-1 and steel Spaced Armor, but the new machine and turned pereutyazhelonnoy adopted was not accepted.
T-44-100 protivokumulyativnymi steel screens and gun LB-1
Production
1944 year – November - 5; December - 20;
1945 year – January - 20; February - 20; March - 60; April - 65; May - 75; June - 85; 2-a half - 555
1946 year - 718;
1947 year - 200.
Engine and transmission
The tank was used the new engine in the 44-capacity 520 l. from. and the new 5-speed gearbox. Power was able to raise through improved fuel equipment on 20 l. from. with the same volume of the cylinder. again, after T-18, transverse engine layout was used. The tank used for the transmission of power transmission from the engine to parallel to the gearbox located new unit - "guitar", with gear ratios 0,7. Due to the fact, that the speed increased, and the load transmitted decreased, the gearbox has been made compact and lightweight. a new type of air cleaner moved from the cylinders to the board. The fan, speaking for the housing dimensions, We put a compact flywheel. I put the fan kormovomu Journal. Oil and water radiators placed horizontally under the lid of the engine compartment in a uniform air stream. Such a cooling system more effective.
Chassis
Chassis T-44 consisted of driving wheels, similar in design T34, except, that for improving the engagement conditions of roller wheel with ridges shoe during wear shoe hinges its diameter was increased to 650 mm (against 635 mm at T 34).
The support rollers 44 have a T-dual with the outer rubber tires and rollers different from the T-34 reduced diameter - 780 × 660 × 150. The tank had individual torsion bar suspension, It is fundamentally different from the T-34 suspension - suspension type "Christy". Refusal of spring "spark" has allowed more interior space zabronevoe, reduce the size of the machine and improve crew habitability conditions, improve manufacturability and simplify maintenance. Thus it is the T-44 has put an end to the history of the wheeled-tracked tanks in the USSR, One of the most striking features of that suspension was "Christie". Crawler chain T-34 and T-44 release the first series have been unified. Subsequently, the original track chain was developed for the T-44, It was placed on the T-44M, Rollers later T-44 had a design, rollers similar to T-55.
weaponry
To serial T-44 manufactured experienced T 44-85 equips gun D-5T and T-44-122 gun having D-25. Tank T-44-85 having armed D-5T built up adopting gun ZIS-S-53. Concerning, once ZIS-S-53 to T-34 was a standard, It was transformed and the tank T-44. 122-mm gun on the medium tank was installed at the request of the military, but during tests revealed, that the gun is not suitable for medium tank.
In the 45th g. We developed a new tower at 100-mm gun D-10T or LB-1. On the roof of the loader's hatch was installed with anti-aircraft machine gun turret DSHK, Chassis side and covered 6-mm screen protivokumulyativnymi.
Machines based on the T-44
– SU-100M-2 - ACS project with a 100-mm gun D-10S (1944).
– SU-100-44, "Thunder 1" - ACS project with a 100-mm gun D-10S (1944/45).
– Su-122-44 "Thunder 2" - ACS project with 122-mm gun D-25S (1944/45).
– SU-101 "URALMASH-1 '- prototype ACS with 100mm gun D-10C (1945).
– SU-102 "Uralmash-1» (SU-101M) - a prototype self-propelled guns with 122-mm gun D-25-44S (1945).
– BPS-4 - a tank truck (1963).
At the end 1945 on the basis of T-44, factory number 183 the initiative to draft a heavy artillery tractor was developed, envisioned as a replacement "Voroshilovtsu". The chassis has been lengthened and had six road wheels. Conveyor assumed in two embodiments,: prime mover and benzozapravschike. Built a full-size layout.
Prototypes based on T-44
At the end of winter 1944 plant number 183 two prototypes of the tank were produced on the basis of T-44. First (T-44-1 № 23, aka T 44-122) It was fitted with a 122 mm gun D-25T-44, and second (T-44-1 № 1, aka T-44-85) - 85-mm gun D-5T[11].
In both cases, the engine was installed in 2-ICs. Also, processed and increased crew compartment, but in the case of unitary 122-mm projectiles, which was boeukladke 24 pieces, it was not enough.
In the series, none of the prototypes did not go, at 1945 year began to produce T-54 with a 100-mm gun D-10T.
Tank T 44-122
Exploitation
In the battles of World War II, According to official figures, the tank was not able to participate. Although a number of ways to combat descriptions 100 Czestochowa Tank Brigade indicated, in December 1944 - January 1945 It had been received by it 60 T-44. What is meant in the historical logbook Brigade, the term "T-44" while, not well understood.
AT 1961 , all tanks were modernized in order to harmonize with the main chassis of Soviet tanks T-54. Besides, cars, received the designation T-44M, We got a night vision devices and increased ammunition, and on the commander T 44MK by reducing ammunition set second radio station. AT 1965 , part of the T-44 has been transformed into armored trucks BPS-4, and 1966 , the remaining tanks are equipped with two-plane stabilizer arms, improves the accuracy of firing on the move. These machines were designated T-44C. In the late 1970s, the T-44 was withdrawn from Soviet Army.
The only armed conflict, which I was in T-44, It was "Operation Whirlwind". Besides, the end of his life he still had a chance to "participate" in World War II as a German tank Pz VI «Tiger" in "Liberation" films and "They Fought for Their Country". After the appropriate adaptations tanks became little distinguishable from German cars (with the exception of chassis, consisting of 5 rollers on each side, Unlike located in the "checkerboard" manner 8 rollers from "Tiger"). AT 2004 year this tank portrayed Pz VI «Tiger" already in the film "Bunker". Also, the tank can be seen in "The Soldier's Father" films, "Officers", "On the way to Berlin" and "On the roads of war", “native blood”, where he "plays" the role of the T-34-85.
Now there are T-44 can be seen in the Belarusian museum "Stalin Line" near Minsk, at the site of military equipment at the Museum "Brest Fortress", in the tank museum "Kubinka" in the War Museum in suburban Padikove.
T-44 in the exposure national military history museum
Performance characteristics of the T-44
Crew, pers.: 4
developer: Oleksandr Moroz
years of production: 1944—1947
years of operation: 1945 - the end of 1970
The number of issued, PC.: 1823
The layout: classical
Weight T-44
– 31,8 tonnes
Dimensions T-44
– body Length, mm: 6070
– Length with gun forward, mm: 7650
– housing width, mm: 3180
– Height, mm: 2410
– base, mm: 3800
– Track, mm: 2630
– Clearance, mm: 425
Bumper T-44
– housing forehead (top), mm / city.: 90 / 60°
– housing forehead (through), mm / city.: 90 / 45°
– body board, mm / city.: 75 / 0°
– housing feed (top), mm / city.: 30 / 60°
– housing feed (middle), mm / city.: 45 / 17°
– housing feed (through), mm / city.: 30 / 70°
– Bottom, mm: 15
– corps roof, mm15-20
– tower forehead, mm / city.: 120
– board towers, mm / city.: 90 / 20°
– tower feed, mm / city.: 75 / 12°
– tower roof, mm: 15
Arming T-44
– Caliber guns and stamp: 85-mm JIS-S-53 rpm. 1944 of the year
– gun type: nareznaya gun
– barrel length, calibres: 54,6
– gun ammunition: 58
– sights: telescopic TS-16
– Shotgun: 1 × 7,62-DTM mm
Engine T-44
– engine's type: B-44
– Engine power, l. from.: 500
The rate of T-44
– Road speed, kmh: 60
– Speed over rough terrain, kmh: 25..30
– Cruising on the highway, km: 200..250
– Cruising cross country, km: 180..200
– power density, l. p. / m: 15,6
– suspension type: individual torsion
– Unit ground pressure, kg / cm²: 0,83
– Gradeability, city.: 30
– to overcome the wall, m: 0,73
– trench, m: 2,5
– fording, m: 1,3
Photo T-44
