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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 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.
Two years
later in 1939, further modifications were made to the
Model 1937 turret, these included different hatches,
a rear mounted 7.62 MG, twin spot lamps and a roof mounted
AA MG. This resulted in the production model known as
the BT8.
They participated
in the Soviet-German partition of Poland in 1939 and
later saw action in the Winter War of 1940 against Finland
and finally in the early years of the Great Patriotic
War.
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