The T-150 tank (also known as the KV-150) was created between 1940 and 1941. It is a modification of the KV-1 model. The name of the latter stands for Klim Voroshilov. They differ among themselves in the presence of a later version of the tower for the commander, in which there were viewing devices. After launching the tank into production, the question arose of re-equipping and creating improved protection for the crew. In the summer of 1940, a resolution was adopted on changes in the characteristics of the machine. Already on November 5, one instance of the T-150 appeared. The tank owned nine-centimeter armor and an F-32 tank gun. The crew could consist of five people; the mass of equipment was 51 tons.
The history of the Soviet tank
Unfortunately, it turned out that this model was not received in mass production. This is due to a number of reasons, in particular, it was no better than its prototype. The history of development begins with the winter war. Due to the onset of German infantry, the USSR government decides to close the production of all tanks except the KV. Modernization of this line at that time seemed to be one of the best solutions.
A year before the official announcement of the German offensive on the Soviet Union on June 17, an order was received to create a modernized design. As a result, the T-150 tank appeared at the Kirov plant. Pereverzev became the chief engineer. Initially, it was assumed that the body will be manufactured in Kolpino at the Izhora plant. After the project was completed, the equipment was briefly tested - a test drive of almost 200 km.
After the Union’s intelligence in 1941 found out that Germany created powerful tanks with sufficiently strong armor, the government decided to create an answer no worse than that. The improvement affected the T-150. The third generation tank, like the second option, did not go into the series. This is due to the fact that it was easier to use less equipped cars at the front. Also among the causes of failure can be noted rapid overheating of the unit. The idea of creating a new motor was not implemented, since a civil war had already unfolded.
Unfortunately, the following modification was a failure. She had the same reservation as the T-150. The project was implemented on paper, but that was all.
In 1941, one of the Russian plants proposed creating a new variation of the tank. She was supposed to have an engine of type B-2, whose power was 700 liters. with. It was planned to use a flamethrower (as an additional weapon) and guns on the tower. The commander had a complete optical system. It allows you to view everything that happens around.
Engine problems
The tank is distinguished not only by more fortified armor, but also by a modified unit. The increase in the armor plate was made outside, so the dimensions of the cabin were not changed. During testing, it was noticed that the engine was unstable. At low temperature, around -9 ° C , the oil in the compartment was too hot. Because of this, the T-150 was no longer tested, but rather was sent back to the factory with the task of improving the unit. Work was carried out for a long time, and yet the developers managed to completely get rid of the urgent problem. The machine was again put into production.
Operation of the tank at the front
At the front, a T-150 machine visited once. Reviews about the tank could be heard from the soldiers. Honestly, they were not impressive. The engine could easily stall, some systems did not work. However, he was detached from the brigade only two years after his departure to the places of military operations. But at that time a few months later it was again adopted by the same regiment.
Armament
The T-150 tank was equipped with an F-34 type gun. Its thickness was 76 mm. The kit included about 111 shells. However, about 10 shot at a time. There were three different types of sight. And also three machine guns: one was aft, the second was paired with a gun, the third - course.
The predecessor of the T-150 - KV-1
As already described, the T-150 tank (photos are available in the article) was created on the basis of the KV-1. This model is better known simply as HF. The index was set when a modification appeared. In technical terms, it showed many advantages, so it was decided to use the tank during the fight against the German invaders and in the so-called winter war. It was on the assembly line from 1939 to 1942. The crew included five people. The mass of equipment was almost 48 tons. Initially, the tank was produced in several copies, only a year after the end of development, it went into mass production. According to the plan, by 1941 they were supposed to create more than 1200 pieces of the car, but it did not work out. Due to hostilities, this number actually decreased by three, or even four times.
The transmission, which was installed on the tank, has a mechanical type. Unfortunately, this model also had problems associated with the technical part of tuning. Soldiers often complained that the gearbox was unstable and intermittent. The suspension of an ordinary car was no different from previous and similar models. The equipment is not particularly passable, therefore, did not have large-scale advantages over foreign tanks. However, KV-1 nevertheless excelled on the battlefield - it was practically impossible to destroy the structure.