T-17 tank

T-17
Drawing of a T-17 tankette.
Type	Tankette
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
Used by	Soviet Union
Production history
Designer	Ginzburg
Produced	1929
Number built	3
Specifications
Weight	2.4 Tons
Crew	1

Armor	14-10mm
Main armament	1 machine gun. 7.62×54mmR
Engine	16hp
Speed	16 km/h

Interwar tanks

List Category

Tankettes	L3/33 L3/35 Carden Loyd Morris-Martel T-27 TKS Type 92 tankette Type 94 tankette Type 97 Te-Ke Tančík vz. 33 AH-IV

Light	H35 R35 Fiat 3000 Leichttraktor Light Tanks Mk I–V Light Tank Mk VI Light Tank Mk VII M1 Combat Car M2 Light Tank Panzer I Panzer II LT vz. 34 LT vz. 35 LT vz. 38 T1 Light Tank T7 Combat Car T-18 T-13 T-15 T-19 T-26 T-37 T-38 7TP Type 95 Ha-Go Vickers 6-Ton Vickers-Carden-Loyd Light Amphibious Tank

Medium	Char D1 Char D2 Grosstraktor Medium Mk I Medium Mk II Medium Mk III Panzer III T-24 T-28 Type 89 I-Go Type 97 Chi-Ni Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 98 Chi-Ho

Cavalry, Cruiser or Fast	AMC 34 AMC 35 AMR 33 AMR 35 BT tank Cruiser Mk I Cruiser Mk II Cruiser Mk III SOMUA S35

Infantry	FCM 36 Infantry Mk I, Matilda Renault R35 T-26 Type 89 I-Go

Heavy	Char B1 Neubaufahrzeug SMK T-35 T-100 Type 95 Heavy Tank Vickers A1E1 Independent

Super-heavy	FCM F1 Char 2C T-42

Armoured Carriers	UE Chenillette Bren Gun Carrier

Tank history classification WWI Interwar WWII Cold War Post–Cold War

The T-17 tank was a one-man mechanized support tankette designed and developed by the Soviet Union during the Interwar period.

Development

In 1926, the design bureau (later OKMO) КБ Orudiyno-Arsenalny Trest (OAT) began work on a "Liliput" single man light reconnaissance tank. The development team faced several problems, including finding a new chassis and engine. The project was stalled continuously. On March 3, 1928, under the leadership of the head motor lab, AP Kushka involving LY Lalmena, as well as engineers, S. Ginzburg and E. Grote undertook the production of a new draft.

As part of a three-year plan to produce a force structure capable of conducting operational maneuver and infantry support, a mechanized and armored force was to be established by December 1930. In 1929 Field Regulation (Polevoi Ustay), declared that future war would be one of maneuver, developing the theory of successive operations by injecting the idea of motorization and mechanization into concepts for future offensive operations. The Ustay enunciated the aim of conducting deep battle to achieve success in penetrating the tactical depth of enemy defenses.^[1]

In May 1930 the Soviets created their first mechanized support brigade, consisting of 60 tanks and 32 tankettes (tankettes were light tanks armed with heavy machine guns).^[1]

Chassis and powertrain

The T-17 developers utilized the T-16 chassis and powertrain for the base model. The hull was based on the "Liliput". The power unit used was a 16 hp two-cylinder air-cooled engine. The chain track was made out of rubber and steel.

Superstructure and armaments

The superstructure, which sat atop the chassis of the T-17 (often referred to as, like its predecessor, "Liliput"), was riveted to the frame. The driver, located in the hull, also operated a machine gun mounted to the right of the longitudinal axis.

Testing

With long initial delays, a prototype was ready by the end of 1929. Despite problems, it was tested in January 1930. In June of that year, another test was conducted and showed better mobility than the T-18.

Modifications

One of the biggest drawbacks in tanks of this era was track failure. Therefore, one of the three tankettes ordered by the summer of 1930, was tested in a different track configuration. This second version of the T-17 had rubber tracks of the Kégresse type. However, the design was considered impractical, and it was decided to continue work on the full metal track versions, continued with the later production units of the T-18.

References

1 2 Colonel David M. Glantz. "Soviet Operational Art and Tactics in the 1930s" (PDF). United States Department of the Army - Soviet Army Studies Office.