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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.
In 1935 further
improvements resulted in the Model 1935, also known
as the BT7-1, which had a new engine and a welded, redesigned
hull.
In
1937, further improvements led to a new conical shaped
turret with sloping armour and twin-horn periscopes
being fitted and redesignated as the BT7 (Model 1937)
aka BT7-2.
These tanks
would remain in service through the first years of the
Great Patriotic War having previously seen action in
the brief hostilities with Japan in Manchuria in 1938
and in the Winter War of 1940 against Finland. They
also participated in the Soviet-German partition of
Poland in 1939.
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