Soviet Union's T-26C, T-26S, T-26 Model 1937 light tank

Photos

T-26 Model 1937 and Model 1933 light tanks near Moscow in November to December 1941

T-26 Model 1937 light tank in the occupation of Tabriz, Iran in September 1941

OT-133 flame thrower:

Design

Due to experiences in Spain, China, and Finland designers upgraded the T-26 to extend its life in service.¹

The amount of fuel carried was increased to give better range.¹

A few T-26S' received searchlights for use at night.¹

Armor

The front hull armor was increased and the turret had thicker and more sloping armor.¹ After experience against the Japanese welded contruction replaced the riveted construction of the earlier models.⁶

Prototype

Production

Variants

• T-26-S (Model 1937), T-26C, T-26E: First appeared in 1937.⁸ Had armor increased to 25 mm. New semi-conical turret was fitted. Construction was welded.^6,8 Had 45 mm and 2 machine guns. Weight went up to 10.3 tons. Radios were also installed. Some T-26B-2 were upgraded with the new turret.⁷
• OT-133¹: Flamethrower version of T-26-S.^1,2 It carried a 1939 model flamethrower.² It weighed 9.5 tons and carried 400 liters of oil and 4 bottles of compressed air.² Fuel was stored in the turret.² Against Finland many of them had armor added to the upper hull and turret.²

Usage

Specifications

	T-26 C	T-26 1937	T-26 S
Crew	34	32	33,7
Physical Characteristics
Weight	9.6 tons4	10.3 tons1,2, 10,465 kg1	10.3 tons3,5,7 10,460 kg3
Length w/gun	4.5 m4	15' 9"1 4.62 m2, 4.8 m1	15' 4"7, 15' 9"3 4.8m3
Length w/o gun
Height	2.65 m4	7.65', 7' 8"1 2.33-2.41 m2 , 2.33 m1	7' 10"3 , 7.65'5,7 2.39 m3
Width	2.45 m4	7' 10"1 2.44 m2 , 2.39 m1	7' 8"3, 8'7 2.33 m3
Ground clearance	0.37 m4	0.38 m2
Ground contact length
Ground pressure	0.66 (kg/cm2)4	0.65 kg/(cm2)2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	45 mm6 45 mm L/464	45 mm 19342, 45 mm1	45 mm Model 1938 L/463 45 mm5,6 45 mm L/46 A/TK7
OR
Secondary
MG	2: MGs4	1 - 3: 7.62 mm DT MG2 2: 7.62 mm1	2: 7.62 mm DT MG3 2: MG5,7
Side arms
Quantity
Main	1694	1652	1657
Secondary
MG	2,4054	3,6542	3,6547
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)			10 - 253,5
Hull Front, Upper	164	152	257
Hull Front, Lower		152
Hull Sides, Upper	164	152	167
Hull Sides, Lower		152
Hull Rear	164	152
Hull Top	7-114	102	107
Hull Bottom	104	62	107
Turret Front	164	152	10 - 257
Turret Sides	164	152
Turret Rear	164	152
Turret Top	104	102
Engine (Make / Model)	Air Cooled4	GAZ T-262,3	GAZ T-267
Bore / stroke		4 stroke2
Cylinders	44	42	87
Net HP	91@2,100 rpm4	91@2,200 rpm2	88 - 917
Power to weight ratio		8.7 HP/ton2
Transmission	5 forward4, 1 reverse4	5 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel type	Gasoline4	Gasoline2	Gasoline7
Octane
Capacity	285 liters4	292 liters2
Performance
Traverse		360°	360°
Speed - Road	27.3 kph4	30 kph2, 28 kph1	17 mph7, 17.4 mph3 28 kph3
Speed - Cross Country		12.4 mph	12.4 mph
Range - Road	345 km4	150-225 km2 , 200 km1	124 miles3, 215 miles7 200 km3
Range - Cross Country	175 km4		109 miles7
Turning Radius	6.6 m4
Elevation Limits
Fording depth	0.76 m4	0.9 m2
Trench crossing		1.8 m2
Vertical Obstacle		0.75 m2
Climbing ability		32°2
Suspension (Type)	Leaf Springs4
Wheels each side	84
Return rollers each side
Track length
Tires
Track width	260 mm4
Track centers/tread