BT-5 Light Tank

In the middle 1933 KhPZ had changed production from the BT-2 to the BT-5. The BT-5 tank of the first series was just a slightly modified BT-2 tank but with a new turret in which the 45 mm 20K gun model 1932/38 and the DT machine-gun were installed. The turret has become two-men, and the crew has increased to 3 men.

The design of the tank of essential changes has not undergone. The tank weight has been increased up to 11.5 tones. BT-5 was re-armed with more powerful 45mm Tank Gun Model 1932/38 supplied with 115 rounds for tanks without a radio or 72 rounds for tanks with a radio. The radio station 71-TK-1 had the hand-rail antenna fitted around the turret. Totally 1884 of BT-5 tanks were manufactured in 1933–1934.

During production the turret was slightly changed and the wheel roads were replaced with more light ones. These light road wheels were used to modernise BT-2 as well.

The first usage of BT-5 was in Spain in 1937 where 100 tanks were sent. In May — August 1939 these tanks took part in conflict at Khalhin-Gol as a parts of 6th and 11th Tank Brigade; in campaign in Western Ukraine; in Poland; in Winter War; and at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. There were many vehicles developed upon BT-5 chassis: bridgelayers, amphibious tanks, radiocontrolled tanks, flamethrower tanks etc.

Sources: «Bronekollektsiya» #1 1996
M. Baryatinsky, M. Kolomiets «BT-2 and BT-5 ligh tanks», 1996

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