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Russian T-37 Amphibious Light Tanks were built between 1933 and 1936. They were used by the Red Army in tank battalions of infantry brigades during the Winter War between Finland and Russia in 1939-40. The Russians based this unusual tank on a British Carden-Loyd amphibious tank built by Vickers-Armstrong.
It was powered by a GAZ-AA 4 cylinder water cooled 4 stroke L-head petrol engine which was a Russian copy of an American Ford Type AA engine. It produced 44hp and gave a maximum road speed of 35 km/h (22 mph) and a water speed of 6 km/h (4 mph). It had a 4-speed gearbox.
The propeller drive was engaged separately. The propeller was reversible. The rudder was controlled by a lever. The tank only weighed 3,200kg (7,100lbs). It was only armed with a 7.62 mm machinegun. It had a crew of two. The driver sat on the left of the tank and the commanders turret was on the right of the tank.
The T-37A was not designed to see action against any other AFVs, but rather for reconnaissance, screening, communication and active infantry support. Their amphibious capabilities were particularly useful in many areas judged impassable. In 1935 some attempts were made to test the concept of airborne armored forces, using one of the lightest tank available (the T-37A) and the impressive TB-3 heavy bomber, converted to carry up to three of these, at least on paper. But the tests were convincing.
Variants
T-33: Prototype. Weighed 3 tons/3.7 tons. Crew of two.2, Armament was one 7.62 mm MG. Armor was 7.9 mm / 7 - 9 mm thick. The 63 HP engine propelled it 45 kph.
T-41: Prototype. It weighed 3.2 tons with a crew of two. There was a 7.62 mm MG. Armor was 4 - 9 mm thick. The T-41 was propelled by a 40 HP engine and could go 36 kph on land and 4 kph in water.
T-37 Light Tank: Based on the Vickers Carden-Lloyd. Communicated via flags.
T-37A Light Tank: These were a little longer and had floats attached on both sides. Communicated by flags.
T-37U Light Tank, T-37TU Light Tank: Tank commanders with hand-rail aerial around hull. The radios were to contact command in the rear.
It was powered by a GAZ-AA 4 cylinder water cooled 4 stroke L-head petrol engine which was a Russian copy of an American Ford Type AA engine. It produced 44hp and gave a maximum road speed of 35 km/h (22 mph) and a water speed of 6 km/h (4 mph). It had a 4-speed gearbox.
The propeller drive was engaged separately. The propeller was reversible. The rudder was controlled by a lever. The tank only weighed 3,200kg (7,100lbs). It was only armed with a 7.62 mm machinegun. It had a crew of two. The driver sat on the left of the tank and the commanders turret was on the right of the tank.
The T-37A was not designed to see action against any other AFVs, but rather for reconnaissance, screening, communication and active infantry support. Their amphibious capabilities were particularly useful in many areas judged impassable. In 1935 some attempts were made to test the concept of airborne armored forces, using one of the lightest tank available (the T-37A) and the impressive TB-3 heavy bomber, converted to carry up to three of these, at least on paper. But the tests were convincing.
Variants
T-33: Prototype. Weighed 3 tons/3.7 tons. Crew of two.2, Armament was one 7.62 mm MG. Armor was 7.9 mm / 7 - 9 mm thick. The 63 HP engine propelled it 45 kph.
T-41: Prototype. It weighed 3.2 tons with a crew of two. There was a 7.62 mm MG. Armor was 4 - 9 mm thick. The T-41 was propelled by a 40 HP engine and could go 36 kph on land and 4 kph in water.
T-37 Light Tank: Based on the Vickers Carden-Lloyd. Communicated via flags.
T-37A Light Tank: These were a little longer and had floats attached on both sides. Communicated by flags.
T-37U Light Tank, T-37TU Light Tank: Tank commanders with hand-rail aerial around hull. The radios were to contact command in the rear.
