The Russian T-50 Light Tank

The Russian T-50 Light Tank design incorporated torsion-bar suspension, diesel engine and well-sloped, all-welded steel armour. But was complicated and expensive, and only a short production run of 69 tanks was completed.

The few T-50s available were deployed on the Leningrad front. Few in-service photos survived and not much is known of their combat record. One up-armoured T-50 was captured by Finnish forces and was used by them in 1944.

The Russian T-50 Light Tank Spec’s

Designer S. Ginzburg, L. Troyanov, OKMO
Designed 1939–41
Manufacturer Factory 174, Omsk
Produced 1941–42
Weight 14 tonnes
Length 5.20 m
Width 2.47 m
Height 2.16 m
Crew 4
Armour 12–37 mm
Primary armament 45 mm Model 1938 gun (150 rds.)
Secondary armament 7.62 mm DT machine gun
Engine diesel model V-4 300 hp (220 kW)
Power/weight 21 hp/tonne
Suspension torsion bar
Fuel capacity 350 litres
Operational range 220 km
Speed 60 km/h (37 mph)