The Russian BT-7 Light Tank

The Russian BT-7 Light Tank

The Russian BT-7 Light Tank was the last of the BT series, entering Russian service in 1935. It was a light tank that was designed for dashing attacks behind enemy lines, so needed to be light and thus wasn’t well armoured.

It retained the famous US inventor J. Walter Christie’s suspension and was able to run on either tracks or road wheels. The first few manufactured used the old turret of the BT-5, however was replaced with a new one similar to the one used on the T-26S.

The Russian BT-7 Light Tank Variants:

Command Tank
BT-7A Close Support – Short 76.2mm main gun
OP-7 Flame Throwing Tank
BM-7M aka BT-8 – Upgraded with extra armour and new diesel engine, rear mounted MG and front sloping armour.

By 1941, the vehicle had seen action in the Spanish Civil War, the Khalkin Gol battle against the Japanese, the Invasion of Finland and occupation of Poland, but was very rarely seen after the Germans had invaded Russia

The Russian BT-7 Light Tank Spec’s:

Armament: 45mm Main Gun and two DT MG
Armour: 6 to 22mm steel plate
Crew: 3
Dimensions: Length 5.68m / Width 2.43m / Height 2.2m
Weight: 13.8 tonne
Engine: M-17T 12 cylinder petrol
Speed: 86km/h
Range: 250 km