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The BT Series
was based on 2 Christie tanks purchased from the USA
in 1931. These were designated as the BT1 with the first
series production of the new Fast Tank being ready in
1932 as the BT2 armed with a 37mm gun. Further development
produced the BT3 and BT4 and in 1933 the BT5 was developed
incorporating numerous changes but most importantly
with a new 45mm gun in an elarged turret.
These tanks
would remain in service until, and including, the first
years of the Great Patriotic War having previously seen
action in the Spanish Civil War, the brief hostilities
with Japan in Manchuria in 1938 and in the Winter War
of 1940 against Finland. They would also participate
in the Soviet-German partition of Poland in 1939.
Another
version built on this chassis was the Artillery Tank.
Armed with the 76.2mm L/16.5 gun in an elarged turret
used for fire support for the assault tanks.
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