Would it have been possible to convert T-34s, T-70s, or other tanks to APCs in a similar fashion to the Kangaroo? Would the conversion make sense given the physical limitations, or the institutional culture? It seems that Soviet tank brigades were quite lacking in infantry a lot of the time so such a move might have facilitated better combined arms.
Soviet APC in WW2?
- Thread starter kvnrthr
- Start date
It seems that the Soviets prioritized tanks over trucks or other supply vehicles during the war (or couldn't set more production facilities for them).
I think that there is a more straightforwards conversion/basis than tanks themselves. The SU-76 SPG already features a front mounted (or two?) engine with the driver at the front.
Remove the superfluous ammo and gun, extend the superstructure as much as possible, maybe add some form of armored roof, crude seats and maybe a simple hatch with a pintle for a MG and you get a very simple APC, although it probably won't carry many people.
A more durable design would be a stretched SU-76 with one or two extra roadwheels (maybe not necessary), a reinforced suspension, a stronger engine, revised driver's compartment and more space for a full 7-10-man squad. The Romanians designed an APC on the SU-76, called the MLVM.
Note that in 1944 or so the US started development of an APC based on the M24 Chaffee.
I think that there is a more straightforwards conversion/basis than tanks themselves. The SU-76 SPG already features a front mounted (or two?) engine with the driver at the front.
Remove the superfluous ammo and gun, extend the superstructure as much as possible, maybe add some form of armored roof, crude seats and maybe a simple hatch with a pintle for a MG and you get a very simple APC, although it probably won't carry many people.
A more durable design would be a stretched SU-76 with one or two extra roadwheels (maybe not necessary), a reinforced suspension, a stronger engine, revised driver's compartment and more space for a full 7-10-man squad. The Romanians designed an APC on the SU-76, called the MLVM.
Note that in 1944 or so the US started development of an APC based on the M24 Chaffee.
British manufactured 30 APCs in ww1, so the 'walking' part was already there.
BlackDragon98
Banned
Take one of the Soviet amphib tankettes like the T-27, T-37, T-38, or T-40 and convert them into APCs.
They would work fine.
They would work fine.
The "Female tanks" the Brits used had no suspension. You'd be lucky if the infantrymen inside could walk after taking a ride across no mans land.
My thought is maybe go with modifying a BT5/BT7. Replace the turret with a APC cabin arrangement. Might be easier to just have lightly armored sides but go with a open roof like a lot of the German APCs/Half Tracks.
Why? The Soviet Army developed the concept of Tank Riders where infantry rode on the Tanks. There would have been a reluctance to take assembly lines out of tank production to build them. The numbers required would have been huge even if only 'shock' units received them.
Even in the Western Allies Kangaroos were not that common. The U.S. used halftracks as the primary APC for the Armored Infantry Battalions.
Even in the Western Allies Kangaroos were not that common. The U.S. used halftracks as the primary APC for the Armored Infantry Battalions.
The BTs were pretty much used up in the early part of the war. There weren't many left by the time the Soviets went on the offensive
That infantry would've walked far better than the infantry mowed down by German MGs.
Could it be that nobody was worried about overhead protection during WWII? Artillery with proximity fuses wasn’t used until the Bulge in 1944. Half tracks would have been fine before proximity shells.
The Soviets needed every tank they made for most of the war. However, I'm pretty sure the BA series of armoured "cars" was pulled from frontline service in 1942. Strip out the turret and bam! An armoured truck for all your mechanized infantry needs!
iirc they could even bee field modified into half tracks for the muddy season.
iirc they could even bee field modified into half tracks for the muddy season.
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BlackDragon98
Banned
hey, at least you don't need to build any halftracks that way.They had APCs. T-34s, APC with turret and gun.
Falk
Banned
What about the at-42 artillery tractor? It was based on a T-34 chassis.
Бронированный тягач АТ-42. 1940 г. СССР - Альтернативная История
Бронированный тягач АТ-42. 1940 г. СССР - Альтернативная История
alternathistory.com
BlackDragon98
Banned
Waste of time and resourcesView attachment 535870
What about the at-42 artillery tractor? It was based on a T-34 chassis.
Бронированный тягач АТ-42. 1940 г. СССР - Альтернативная История
Бронированный тягач АТ-42. 1940 г. СССР - Альтернативная История
Tankriders solve all problems and prove some armor as well.
haha maschinengewehr 42 go brrrrr
I mean, I'm sure the tank is glad to have the spaced armour.