In a previous article I talked about the predecessor of this wonderful tank, car T-44. Yes, T-54 history inseparable from stories T-44, since T-54 represented largely upgraded version of the T-44.
Creator of military vehicles was Alexander Morozov, the evil genius of our enemies over the years.
so, at 1943 year Uralvagonzavod design bureau under the guidance of A. A. Morozova, work began on a new tank, which would have to replace T-34-85 as the main medium tank RKKA.
Initially expected, that this machine will be the T-44. The main innovation of the T-44 was unique for its time arrangement. Due to the engine compartment and rearranging the transverse installation of the engine and transmission have significantly reduced its length and height, as well as the shift to the middle of the tower housing, unloading the front rollers. Together with the removal of the arrow-ended crew radio operator is allowed to significantly reduce the amount of reserved and weight, at, than the production T-34-85, to achieve a significant increase in reservations.
but, Despite all these advantages, T-arms 44 remains the same, as on the T-34-85: 85-mm rifle JIS-S-53, is considered unpromising for a medium tank already in 1944 year.
To begin as a weapon to a tank viewed 100mm gun with a barrel in 56 calibres and ballistics naval gun B-34. This gun has successfully passed the test of battle as the main armament of SU-100 installation.
Thus began the sample and attempts to install a new gun for T-44. AT 1945 year were built two prototype T-44-100, with a 100 mm gun LB-1 in the same tower, However, tests showed their low reliability and maneuverability, which led to the cessation of further work in this direction.
At the same time, to accommodate a 100 mm cannon in KB plant № 183 even in the summer 1944 at its own initiative started to design a new modification of the T-44, initially received the designation T-44B. 20 August draft was submitted to the People's Commissar for Tank Industry In. A. Malyshev.
As a result, the output will get the tank, so much different from the T-44, that he was given his own name T-54. tank project was approved by the People's Commissariat of the Tank Industry. According to a government job, to 1 December 1944 Year KB ought to create a prototype, to 15 January 1945 year to complete his test, and by the 20 May of the same year - to send working drawings tank manufacturing plants.
true, these terms are sustained and have not been.
The main differences from the T-44 - update Chassis, a new form of towers, Reinforced book hull and turret, and 100 mm gun D-10T. The first prototype completed in January 1945 of the year. Further, he was tested in Kubinka prior to April of the same year. With an increase in tank size and thickness booking, in comparison with the T-44 machine weight has increased only 3,7 tons, that everyone in the People's Commissariat quite surprised.
new tank tests were carried out for a long time and very carefully, absolutely no hurry and priurochivaniya to the anniversary.
The tank stood the state tests and 29 April 1946 It was adopted by the Soviet Army. Production in the Soviet Union continued to 1959 of the year. All were released 20 375 T-54.
Withdrawn from service in the Russian army 1994 year, however, 1998 year 300 machines back into service with a mark "in reserve".
Some versions of the T-54 still in service in many countries.
TTX main tank T-54:
Weight, t: 36
Crew, people: 4
body Length, mm: 6002
housing width, mm: 3270
Height, mm: 2218
booking:
housing forehead (top), mm / city: 120 / 60°
housing forehead (through), mm / city: 100 / 55°
body board, mm / city: 80 / 0°
housing feed, mm / city: 45 / 17°
Bottom, mm: 20
tower forehead, mm / city: 200 / 60°
board towers, mm / city: 160 / 60°
tower roof, mm: 30
Driving performance:
Engine power, l. from: 520
full speed, kmh: 50
Cruising on the highway, km: 300
Gradeability, city: 30°
weaponry
The main armament: 100-mm gun D-10T.
ammunition, PC: 34
Effective range, m: 6 000
Angles vertical crosstalk, city: -5°…+18°
rate of, rds. / min: to 6
Armor-piercing projectile of this gun was capable of vertical punching sheet thickness armor 125 mm at a distance 2 km.
additional armament
Two machine guns SGMT (Armored gun system variation Goryunova SG-43) 7,62-and one DShK mm caliber 12.7 mm.
First SGMT paired with a weapon, second - ESP, It located in front of the case. DSK is installed on the roof of the tower on the turret as air defense systems.
Ammunition to 7.62 mm machine guns was 3000 rounds (12 tapes), the machine gun DSK - 500 rounds.
The tank is also included 7.62-mm AK-47 (later - AKS), 26-mm flare gun NPN and twenty hand grenades F-1. By the machine was supposed to 300 rounds, to signal pistol - 12 rounds.
First real baptism of fire tank T-54 was held at the Six-Day War (1967 city) as part of the Egyptian and Syrian forces. A large number of tanks, wrecked or abandoned crews, It was captured by the Israeli army, and after the upgrade is accepted on arms.
Definitely it was not any negative properties of the tank, and the level of training of the Syrian and Egyptian crews. more precisely, in the absence of this same preparation.
The most active period combat use of T-54 accounted for 1979-1991 gg. The conflict between China and Vietnam, War in Afghanistan (one of the main tanks, par with T-62, in the Southern Group of Soviet troops), surgery "World Galilei" in Lebanon (in the Syrian and Israeli armies), in the Iran-Iraq war and the Gulf War (Iraqi army in). Plus a few local conflicts in Africa.
In general, the tank has done some fighting.
T-54 is actively delivered and sold to the Soviet Union to its allies in the socialist camp and friendly countries. About 60 countries to use tanks in its military.
Industries produced T-54/55 more 30 years. This is a record for a modern tank, and, by the way, when the West feared "armadas of Soviet tanks" on the shores of the English Channel, it was a T-54 and T-55.
rightly, by the way.
