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T-41

1933 WORLD WAR 2

History

The T-41 is a prototype amphibious light tank developed together with the T-37. Both tanks are based on the T-33. The T-41 was produced in limited numbers, but the T-37 evolved into the T-37A, the world's first mass-produced light amphibious tank.

Work on the project began in March 1932 at the second VATO plant under the leadership of Nikolai N. Kozyrev. Given the poor experience with the first Russian amphibious tank, the T-33, Russian designers got to work and quickly created drawings and designs for the new machine.

In July 1932, an experienced model was built and sent to the factory for testing, which was later produced as the T-41, weighing 3.5 tons, using a GAZ-AA engine based on the T-27 performance factory. The gearbox is nearly identical to that of the T-27, with the addition of a rigid gear coupling to the propeller's PTO.

Due to the high profile, rather weak armor that made the T-41 unable to survive long under enemy fire, low permeability and inability to maneuver on water, the machine was not put into service and 12 were produced as training vehicles only.

The chassis part was borrowed from the T-33, the tracks were completely borrowed from the T-27.

The amphibious chassis is made of 9.5mm steel armor plates, assembled and riveted along the corners, water tightness is ensured by the introduction of rubber gaskets at the joints.

Weapons are limited to 7.62mm DT-29 machine guns mounted in turret ball bearings.

For water propulsion, a three-bladed propeller is installed at the rear of the fuselage, with 2 control planes on each side. The emergency water pump is located aft of the crew compartment.