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BT-42
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| BT-42 | |
|---|---|
 BT-42 in Finnish Tank Museum |
|
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 15 tonnes |
| Length | 5.7 m |
| Width | 2.1 m |
| Height | 2.2 m |
| Crew | 3 |
|
|
|
| Armour | 6–13 mm |
| Primary armament |
114mm (4.5-inch) howitzer |
| Engine | M-17T 500 hp (370 kW) |
| Power/weight | hp/tonne |
| Suspension | Christie |
| Operational range |
375 km |
| Speed | 53 km/h |
The BT-42 was a Finnish assault gun built during the Continuation War. It was constructed from captured Soviet BT-7 light tanks and British 4.5-inch howitzers (114mm-calibre light howitzer, model 1908) from 1918, which had been donated during the Winter War. Only eighteen vehicles were constructed.
The BT-42s were deployed as part of the Finnish Tank Division.
The BT-42 was first used on the front along the river Svir in 1943. The assault guns engaged Soviet installations on the other side of the river and managed to destroy several targets. However the crews were not impressed since the tank suffered from mechanical failures and the main gun was only effective against "soft" targets.
The BT-42s were used again during the major Soviet offensive in 1944. The tanks were deployed in the defence of Vyborg but proved unable to stop the newer attacking Soviet tanks.
 Front view |
 Left-rear quarter view |