"Soviet Light Tank Destoyers " Topic

"The Germans were very well known for using obsolete tank chassis to create tank destroyers. The Marder series, the PzJg I, and several other designs gave new lives to obsolete light tanks. The Soviets also considered such a move.

"Report of Military Engineer 1st class comrade Afonin on a potential plan for constructing SPGs.

1.Install a 57 mm ZiS-4 gun on tanks: BT-5, T-26, T-50 and the STZ-5 tractor (with lengthened base and ZiS-16 engine).
2.Install the 85 mm AA gun on tractors: A-42 and Voroshilovets.
3.Install the 76.2 mm gun model 1927/32 on the T-26 tank.
4.Install a 37 mm automatic AA gun on the T-50, T-26, BT-5, and STZ-5 tractor (with lengthened base and ZiS-16 engine).
5.Install a 25 mm automatic AA gun on the ZiS-32 and ZiS-36 vehicles, as well as the T-40 tank and STZ-5 tractor (with lengthened base and ZiS-16 engine).
Proposals:
1.A 57 mm ZiS-4 gun cannot be used on the BT-5, T-26 and STZ-5 as a tank destroyer for the following reasons:
1.Weak armour.
2.Overloading the suspension (T-26 and STZ-5).
3.Low operational range.
4.Low ammunition capacity.
2.It is agreed that an SPG made using STZ-5 components and armed with a ZiS-4 57 mm tank gun could be used as a self propelled anti-tank weapon.
3.An SPG made using T-40 components with a 57 mm anti-tank gun is feasible.
4.The 85 mm AA gun cannot be installed on the Voroshilovets tractor for the following reasons:
1.Weak suspension (when armour is added).
2.Bore axis is too high."…"
More here
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Amicalement
Armand

One presumes that this was intended to be for long term production as both the T-26 and the STZ-5 both are more robust platforms than the Komsomolets artillery tractor that was used to produce the ZIS-30SPG 57mm -

At the time those were designed the only apparent limit on their production was the supply of tractors – the factory making them had switched to tanks and so they had to scrounge 100 (plus the prototype) from existing units.

Remaining vehicle(s?) still apparently in use in 1944 -

Love the idea of a BTSU-57 though. My favourite PanzerJaeger is the I, with the 47mm gun. Can't say why, just looks cool.