Tank Fighter T-34-57

The T-34-57 is an average tank fighter produced by a small party in the USSR. This tank is based on the legendary T-34. Modification 57 is known for taking part in the battle for Moscow (September 30, 1941 - April 20, 1942).

The story of the appearance of the tank T-34-57

Production of this model began in 1941, after the need to improve the combat capabilities of the KV-1 and T-34. The main problem of the old models was a weak 76-mm gun, so it was decided to introduce a 55-60 mm caliber gun into the new model. At the same time, OKB No. 92 was already engaged in the development of a 57-mm high-power anti-tank gun, after which they also produced a draft design for the T-34. In September 1941, the first prototype was released.

Until 1940, the development of a new modification of the tank was extremely slow due to the fact that the plant was busy with the production of the 76-mm F-34 tank gun. The first tests began in late 1940, in early December. Factory testing guns were held until March 1941, after which in April it was installed in the T-34 tower, instead of the originally planned F-34. However, when the tank entered the tests in the ANIOP, the gun showed low durability, and it was the height of the barrel that was observed after 100-150 shots were fired. In addition, the accuracy of shooting was insufficient - 2 times lower at a distance of 1km than the 76-mm gun.

Nevertheless, in the end, the T-34 tank with a 57-mm cannon (ZIS-4) was stronger than the enemy’s tanks, so it was decided to refine the defects and subsequent serial production. After completion, tests were conducted at the Sofrinsky training ground, which showed satisfactory results on the accuracy of the battle and the destruction of targets even at a distance of more than 2 km.

Production of the ZIS-4 was suspended in December 1941, due to difficulties of a production nature and lack of ammunition. In total 133 57-mm tank guns were produced.. For armament of serial tanks before the evacuation of KhPZ received 21 pieces. ZIS-4, another 20 guns got STZ. Starting from October 1, 1941, the production of fighter tanks with a production plan of 100 pcs. until the end of the year, the Krasnoye Sormovo plant was to be engaged, but in its reports this product was not found.

At the beginning of 1942, after freezing the production of ZIS-4, OKB No. 92 was engaged in the production of a new 57-mm gun called the JS-1, which replaced the old one. The ZIS-4 was remembered in 1943, since at that time the 57-mm guns were the only artillery systems that could effectively withstand the German Panther and Tiger heavy tanks.

Achievements T 34 57

At the beginning of October 1941, 10 vehicles with a 57-mm cannon became part of the 21-tank brigade in Vladimir, which arrived at the front on October 14. The brigade was assigned the offensive in the direction of Turchinovo and Pushkino. The purpose of the campaign - striking the flank of the group of German troops. The fighting lasted 4 days and during these days 34 fascist tanks, 25 anti-tank guns, 210 cars were destroyed. There were also casualties on our side - the commander of a tank regiment of the brigade V. Lukin and the battalion commander Mikhail Agibalov died.

Another example of the successful use of T-34 fighter jets 57 is a raid on the German rear lines under the command of senior political officer Gmyr. Then he almost point-blank shot a column of German cars with soldiers on the Volokolamsk highway, after which he moved on and drove onto a German airfield completely destroyed their bomber using T 34 57.

At the moment, there is not a single T -34 57 officially, but there is information that one option was preserved in Nizhny Tagil, another one at the site of the Urals Military Glory in Verkhnyaya Pyshma and one copy was recreated from the wreckage in Moscow region, in Pushkino.

Video about t-34 57

Technical characteristics TTH T-34 57

Video about the tank T-34 57

Watch the video: War Thunder Soviet Tanks - For Stalin's Sake, the T-3457 Premium Medium Tank! (May 2024).