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Яusso-Soviэt Forum: WWII Soviet Armor
For discussions related to WW2 era Soviet armor.
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Just curiosity... About BT-5/7 tanks.
clay_cliff
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Lima, Peru
Joined: April 07, 2008
KitMaker: 375 posts
Armorama: 371 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 03:29 PM UTC
I read somewhere that BT-5 and BT-7 tanks were designed to run even without tracks... Is that true? I searched on the net for a cutaway to see, but couldn't find any... Anyone has some info about that? Thanks a lot in advance. Best regards.
vonHengest
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Texas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2010
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Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 04:20 PM UTC
Yes. They were designed after (stolen) an American prototype tank. You could remove the tracks and engage two sets of the road wheels, the front for steering and the rear wheels would be engaged by the drivetrain. This was to allow the tank to move even faster on pavement.
Jacques
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: March 04, 2003
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Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 05:19 PM UTC
Actually, the Russians BOUGHT the Christie tank design from Mr. Christie which including the running without tracks feature. The US Army did not want to buy the design. There was nothing stolen about it. Now, the sale TO the Soviet Union WAS illegal, and Christie knowingly sold the design, for a 10 year period, to the Soviets illegally...sort of.

Best to look over the Wiki entry for a brief synopsis

Sorry if that sounds a bit rough, but it is important to keep things correct lest mis-information abound. While both the Soviets and Christie used deception in the sale to avert attention of the US Govt. there was no "stealing".
vonHengest
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Texas, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 05:28 PM UTC
Nothing rough about it Jacques. You're the first I've heard this info from, but I trust you being our local expert on Russian armor. It actually makes more sense that Christie sold the tank to Russia, as it was his own resources that brought the design to fruition.

Btw, I generally do not fully trust Wikipedia, but it is is a good source for adding to the knowledge pool when doing research.
GeraldOwens
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
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Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 05:28 PM UTC
He also sold one of his chassis to the UK after British military representatives saw the high performance BT tanks in the Soviet maneuvers of 1936. The result was the British A13 Cruiser, and all the cruisers which followed, including the Crusader, Cromwell and Comet. In both cases, the tank was invoiced as an "agricultural tractor" (the turret was not included).

Quoted Text

Actually, the Russians BOUGHT the Christie tank design from Mr. Christie which including the running without tracks feature. The US Army did not want to buy the design. There was nothing stolen about it. Now, the sale TO the Soviet Union WAS illegal, and Christie knowingly sold the design, for a 10 year period, to the Soviets illegally...sort of.

Best to look over the Wiki entry for a brief synopsis

Sorry if that sounds a bit rough, but it is important to keep things correct lest mis-information abound. While both the Soviets and Christie used deception in the sale to avert attention of the US Govt. there was no "stealing".
Plasticbattle
#003
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Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 08:50 PM UTC
Hi José. Some images so you can see it for yourself.

A drawing first


No tracks and steering ...


Track storage when run without them


clay_cliff
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Lima, Peru
Joined: April 07, 2008
KitMaker: 375 posts
Armorama: 371 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 08:58 PM UTC
Thanks for your replies... Those are very nice pics, now I know a little more. Best regards.

José.
goldnova72
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: February 21, 2009
KitMaker: 627 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 08:19 AM UTC
Does the Tamiya BT-7 have the steering linkage modelled so you can depict the tank running wihout tracks ? Also is the linkage visible in a sideview of the tank? None of the books I have show it.
SEDimmick
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 15, 2002
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Posted: Monday, August 16, 2010 - 10:39 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Does the Tamiya BT-7 have the steering linkage modelled so you can depict the tank running wihout tracks ? Also is the linkage visible in a sideview of the tank? None of the books I have show it.


No the steering linkage is fixed on the kit. I'm working on the BT-7 now and its a fun kit to slap together. I'm thinking about getting another to show without the tracks installed.
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