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T-44

1944 COLD WAR WORLD WAR 2

History

When the legendary medium tank T-34 came online in the Red Army's inventory during WWII, a new modification was already being considered - this attempt took the form of the "T-34M". However, when the war intensified after Germany invaded the Soviet Union, T-34 production was in full swing, and resources were poured into existing battlefield weapons rather than developing expensive new weapons. Therefore, the T-34M project failed temporarily, and the Red Army was more concerned with upgrading their existing mounts based on battlefield experience. The T-34 itself was upgraded from its 76mm armament to a more powerful 85mm weapon (T-34-85), a testament to the T-34 design.

The 100mm gun was given a "more powerful" - albeit limited - tracked vehicle capable of using the larger gun.

In late 1943, the T-34M project was revisited and revised as "Obyekt 136", codenamed "T-44". This design is intended to replace the famous T-34 in the near future, so the T-44 is similar in many ways to the T-34. However, it is an entirely new vehicle design in every way. Experience on the Soviet battlefield has shown that several problems have come to the fore - including the need for greater armor protection for anti-tank weapons. In response, the T-44's key fairing was designed with better armor protection.

The proven 85mm ZiS-S-53 (D-5T) series was considered for the main gun, while at least one prototype was tested with a 122mm D-25 gun. A torsion bar suspension system was implemented to improve off-road capability and occupant comfort - a marked departure from the Soviet-preferred Christie suspension used in the T-34.

Ballistic protection is achieved by well-sloped surfaces and thick, curved turret components. The engine of choice was a diesel-powered type, and a prototype of the T-44 appeared in January 1944.

Testing of the T-44 prototype continued throughout the spring and summer. A series of new prototypes followed, known as the "T-44A". In this version, the armor configuration was revised and a new V-44 12-cylinder 520-horsepower diesel engine was installed. Its main weapon is an 85mm main gun. After evaluation, this prototype was officially selected for serial production and entered the ranks of the Red Army as "T-44".

Production began in August 1944 and the first batches were delivered in September of the same year. These examples are used to train crews on new cars, but hardly any. An official service record of this type was recorded in November 1944.

Besides that, the T-44 was not used in combat during WWII, mostly for logistical reasons, and the tank was largely untested and therefore prone to mechanical problems. Three were assessed along the Eastern Front (non-combat), while most were shipped to the Far East, where the Anti-Japanese War was still raging. Only 150 prototypes were delivered by the end of the war, for a total production of 1,823. The tank was kept secret for most of the Soviet Union, so it was never offered for export sales to its allies. Some took part in the 1956 invasion of Hungary to quell popular uprisings there, but never witnessed any other form of fighting.

Its mechanical problems plagued the tank for most of its career, so it never really lived up to the T-34's high standards.

Externally, the T-44 adopts a traditional tank layout. The squat turret is centrally located on top of the fuselage, while the engine is housed in the rear compartment. The forward hull has a very flat front panel and no hull superstructure, resulting in a low overall profile.

The track consists of five large twin-tire wheels, with the drive sprocket at the rear and the track idler at the front. No chain return rollers are used in the chain configuration. The round, low turret has a relatively unremarkable main barrel and a flat dome along the top of the turret. As with other Soviet tanks, external fuel tanks could be periodically mounted on the sides of the rear hull to increase range.

There are four crew members inside, including the driver, commander, gunner and loader. The driver sits in the front left of the fuselage. The main gun of choice was the 85mm D-5T system, while the defense came in the form of 2 x 7.62mm DT series machine guns for enemy infantry. The aircraft is loaded with 58 rounds of 85mm ammunition.

Power is a 520-horsepower V-44 12-cylinder diesel engine mated to a 5-speed planetary gear system. This gives the vehicle a top speed of 33 mph and a range of 220 miles on internal fuel.

Due to its mechanical problems, the T-44's potential was never truly realized, resulting in an overwhelming presence. Some were modernized to the "T-44M" brand, while others were adapted for battlefield roles outside of combat.

The T-44MK tank is a command vehicle with enhanced communications, while the BTS-4A is an Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) modification. The main guns of the T-44S and T-44MS were stabilized, providing greater accuracy.

Despite its meager existence, the T-44 provided the framework for one of the most successful tanks of the Cold War, the T-54 (and related T-55), which entered service in 1950. By comparison, around 85,000 to 100,000 T-54/T-55 tanks were produced.