Fortunately, the huge T35 heavy tank in front of us is not without its merits. The main turret superimposed on the four secondary turrets is obviously different from the black and white photo in Malashenko's memory.
"This T35 heavy tank participated in the defense of Leningrad some time ago, but the main turret was penetrated and lost its combat effectiveness. It was recovered by the front-line troops and returned to the factory for repairs."
Adjusting his heavy glass glasses, the serious-looking engineer Ivankov was introducing the work he had completed to Malashenko.
"After unanimous discussion with several engineers and technicians in the factory, they believed that the original 45mm short-barreled main turret was no longer suitable for the current high-intensity anti-armor mission facing the Nazi armored forces."
"After we disassembled the original destroyed main turret, we reinstalled it with the main turret of a recycled T34 tank based on the principle of waste recycling. The turret seat and steering gear were made to correspond to the body of the T35 tank.
Appropriate adjustments have been made, but the difference is not big compared to the T34 tank. After multiple rounds of technical tests, it is basically reliable and there are no obvious problems."
After introducing the main turret that had changed the most, Engineer Ivankov took a step forward. The additional armor welded to the three turrets and the body of the tank appeared extremely obvious under the guidance of his right arm.
"The front-line troops who sent this T35 tank back to the factory for repairs reported that the original tank armor could no longer meet the needs of actual combat defense. Both the tank guns of the German tanks in service and the infantry anti-tank guns could easily penetrate the front within conventional combat distances.
Armor, we have also made some appropriate adjustments in response to this situation."
"A 25 mm thick rolled additional armor plate is welded and hung on the front of the entire tank. The tilt angle is the same as the original body armor defense angle. After measurement, the body armor itself is basically equivalent to about 60 mm.
Effective armor defense strength."
"The two secondary turrets facing the enemy head-on are also welded and hung with the same 25 mm thick rolled additional armor plates. The defensive effect is basically the same as the front armor of the vehicle body. The defense strength of the newly replaced main turret of the T34 tank is sufficient to meet actual combat needs. Therefore,
Leave it as is without any adjustments."
The description from Engineer Ivankov sounded very good, but Malashenko, who knew that the poor design flaws of the T35 tank were far more than that, did not relax his frown.
"Have any adjustments been made in terms of power? Comrade Ivankov."
A brief rhetorical question from Malashenko blocked the next words that Engineer Ivankov had already spoken. Shuang Mu, who was obviously worried, shrank for a moment. He had already figured out that this car was riddled with many defects.
Engineer Ivankov, who had all the shortcomings of the turret tank, then spoke again.
"We have tried to replace it with a diesel engine with greater output, such as the same model of the KV1 heavy tank. But because it involves the volume of the engine compartment and the adjustment of the transmission mechanism and gearbox, these changes require advanced equipment.
We can only do it with support. We cannot complete it with our existing manual manufacturing and old-fashioned equipment, so we have to give up in the end."
The conclusion from Engineer Ivankov undoubtedly indicated the worst outcome, and Malashenko took a deep breath and blurted it out.
"That is to say, the power system of this T35 tank remains intact as before?"
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Malashenko, you can understand that this is the greatest improvement and adjustment we can make under the current conditions."
The T35 tank diesel engine with a rated output of 500 horsepower is a full 100 horsepower lower than the 600 horsepower engine of the KV1 heavy tank. However, the T35 has to use this heart with insufficient stamina to drive a body that is heavier than the KV1 heavy tank.
The maneuverability effect of a behemoth with a combat weight of up to 52 tons after adding additional armor is naturally conceivable.
"Comrade Ivankov, can you tell me how much weight all the changes, including the replacement of the main turret, have added to the original T35 heavy tank's 52-ton combat weight?"
Facing the question from Malashenko, he was slightly surprised by the reality. After thinking for a while, Engineer Ivankov did not shy away and gave the real answer.
"A series of improvements including additional armor and replacement of the main turret have probably increased the weight of the entire vehicle by 3 tons. It is roughly estimated that the total combat weight of this T35 heavy tank is around 55 tons. This is a more accurate result.
"
"55 tons, 55 tons..."
Using the original unchanged 500-horsepower maximum output engine to drive the increased combat weight of 55 tons, this means that the current thrust-to-weight ratio of this T35 heavy tank is only a pitiful 9, which is higher than that of Malashenko's vehicle
The thrust-to-weight ratio of 12.5 is even more excessive, which is simply unacceptable to Malashenko, who has already suffered a huge loss in mobility in close contact battles.
Looking at this Red Army steel behemoth that looked majestic but was actually riddled with problems, Malashenko felt that his head had swelled. After a brief psychological struggle, he finally pinched his nose.
I accepted this extremely bad fact.
"Hey, that's all. It's better to have a vehicle than to get out of the car and be an infantryman with a light weapon. Even if this thing is not good enough, it can be used as a mobile fortress to support infantry combat. Since the mobility is not that good, then
Just try to maximize your strengths and avoid weaknesses and avoid large-scale maneuvers."
The T35 tank, which has so many faults, is still a decent heavy tank no matter how bad it is, and relatively speaking, it has the only advantage of good firepower. Now it has been transformed from a tank battalion into a tank company.
With his size, Malashenko no longer has much room to be picky.
Fortunately, this T35 tank is not the only one at the former site of the Kirov Tank Factory, which specializes in producing heavy tanks for the Red Army tank troops.
Some KV1 heavy tanks that had entered the final assembly stage when the tank factory was withdrawn and were close to or more than 80% complete were not taken away.
At present, these kv1 heavy tanks, which have been assembled with bare hands, are being lined up in a row under the hands and shoulders of workers who are unwilling to withdraw from the tank factory. They are parked quietly behind the T35 heavy tanks, waiting for the moment to fight for the motherland.
.
"There are a total of 16 KV1 heavy tanks, all of which are standard models equipped with 76.2 mm L-11 tank guns. In addition, there are 18 KV1 heavy tanks in the factory that are being worked on day and night, with the completion progress ranging from 30% to 30%.
It varies from 70 to 70. As long as you have time, you can pick up the new tanks in two days. After that, new tanks will be assembled every day."
The brand-new tanks lined up in a row were simply the most beautiful thing for Malashenko at the moment. With the injection of fresh blood, Malashenko could compete with the German armored divisions and immediately turned around.
He said to Kirill, who had been following him.
"Go and notify Karamov and ask him to bring all the comrades who don't have cars and come over quickly. Those who come a little late and don't have cars should be prepared to serve as infantry."