BT-42

History

The Soviet Union invaded neighboring Finland to start the "Winter War" (1939-1940), and despite the resilience and ingenuity of the Finns, territorial changes followed, as did the Moscow Peace Treaty. In June 1941, a new war broke out between the two parties, and the Finns now had the strength of Berlin.

The ensuing war, known as the "Persistent War", lasted from 1941 to September 1944.

In this restarted battle, the Finns began pairing the hulls of captured Soviet Army BT-7 series light tanks (Type 1937) with British QF 4.5-inch field howitzers, which were acquired from the British government during the winter received, become wartime. The aim was to create a viable self-propelled gun by combining two proven weapon systems.

Due to the resources available to the Finns, only eighteen such vehicles were completed, which were designated "BT-42".

The BT-7 retains original Soviet powertrain components and includes a 500 hp Mikulin M-17T series engine. This allows for speeds of up to 33 miles per hour over an operating range of up to 235 miles. The Christie suspension system provides the off-road support you need for off-road travel. The crew consists of three people and the vehicle weighs about 15 tons.

Externally, the BT-42 retains much of the form and function of the original BT-7 from the top of the fuselage down. A completely new turret was designed and built with a 4.5" gun protruding from the front plate and its recoil mechanism.

The traversal is a full 360 degrees, giving the crew some tactical flexibility.

BT-42 tanks were transported to the front in 1943, and the first battle took place on the Svir River against enemy fortifications. It proved to be flawed against armored targets, especially the new Soviet T-34 medium tank, and even a special anti-tank projectile was developed that failed within its intended range. Also noticed that the BT-7 tank's undercarriage was not that reliable, and the engine howled under the pressure of the heavier turret and weapons. The turret also adds to the profile of the vehicle, making it an easier target for AT and tanker crews within range.

All in all, the BT-42 was a usable weapon system at a time when the Finnish army needed everything they could get to avoid complete annihilation.

The final operational use of the BT-42 system was in 1944, as more modern and heavier German equipment could then be used by the Finnish army. Nonetheless, the Continuing War ended with a victory for the Soviet Union and the defeat of Berlin, ending the war in Europe by May 1945.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Not available.

Changes