If you ask a military specialist to name some of the best tanks created after World War II, then the Soviet medium T-54 will certainly be among them.
It most fully comprehended the experience of using tanks in the past world war.
Strengthening the armor protection of German armored vehicles, at the end of the war, forced Soviet designers to increase the level of firepower of our equipment. In 1944, the design bureau of the Ural Tank Plant developed the SU-100 self-propelled gun, with a 100-mm D-10 S gun, the self-propelled gun showed itself well in battles. The experience was transferred to the tank, placing a 100-mm gun on the T-34, several T-34-100s were created. But on the field tests, an error was revealed - the transmission could not withstand such a powerful artillery system.
However, experience helped in the creation of the T-44-100 tank, and then the T-54 ("T-54 model of 1946"). The simple and technologically advanced hull was taken from the T-44. As on the T-44, the frontal sheet was made monolithic, removing the driver's viewing slot, thereby improving the protection of the frontal sheet. On the roof of the hull were placed 2 periscopic observation devices MK-1K.
A larger turret with an improved configuration was placed in the center of the tank, and its frontal armor reached 200 mm. A D-10T cannon and an SG-43 7, 62 mm machine gun paired with it were placed in a cylindrical mask. Vertical aiming was carried out by the TSh-20 telescopic articulated sight, horizontal - by an electric drive, which was controlled by the commander and gunner.
For the first time, on an average Soviet tank, a DShK anti-aircraft machine gun was installed, and course machine guns were installed in armored boxes, on tracked shelves, with remote control.
The scheme of the engine-transmission department, tested on the T-44, was almost not touched, but the diesel V-54 was installed.
The T-54 was heavier than the T-44, but walked better - the caterpillar was made fine-link, with pin engagement and good lugs, the road wheels were reinforced to parry angular vibrations. Installed vane hydraulic shock absorbers.
In 1949, the first modernization was carried out, according to statistics, 90% of hits in the tank were a meter from the ground, so the thickness of the front plate was reduced from 120 mm to 100 mm. The machine guns on the track shelves were removed, the anti-aircraft turret was improved. An improved multi-cyclone air cleaner with an oil bath and ejection dust suction was used in the power unit, a nozzle pre-heater for oil was installed, which reduced the preparation of the engine for starting in cold weather. The caterpillar was expanded by 80 mm, reducing the specific ground pressure.
In 1951, the second modernization was carried out. We installed a new hemispherical turret, a new sight, improved the seals of rubbing parts, bearings, electrical appliances, to protect against dust. In 1951, the T-54A was released, which was equipped with "Horizon", the stabilizer of the gun in the vertical plane with an automated electric guidance drive and an ejection device for blowing the barrel. Now it was possible to conduct aimed fire on the move.. A stepped air cleaner and controlled radiator shutters were installed in the engine to maintain optimal operation.
In 1952, another modernization was carried out, which led to the emergence T-54B … it was equipped with a "Cyclone" - a weapon stabilizer in the vertical and horizontal planes. Infrared night vision devices and night sights have appeared. The tanks were equipped with kits for independently overcoming water bodies. With the help of them, the tank could overcome a reservoir 5 m deep and 700 m wide.
In the same 1952, created OT-54, instead of a machine gun paired with a cannon, they installed an ATO-1 flamethrower (automatic powder flamethrower). A tank with 460 liters of fire mixture was installed in the bow part.. It could throw out a jet of flame at 160 meters
Since 1954, a small party has been created command T-54K, which had two radio stations, a charger, navigation equipment.
The T-54s have been the best tanks in their class since 1946, and it wasn't until 1958 that England created a more powerful 105 mm cannon. On the basis of the T-54, the SU-122 ACS, the BTS-2 tractor, and the SPK-12G crane were created.
Tanks were massively supplied to the countries of the Warsaw Pact, allies in the Middle East, where they were baptized by fire. In China, the tank was copied and produced under the name T-59.
T-54 and its modernization T-55 are still in service with many countries
The performance characteristics of the T-54 (T-54A)
Weight, t - 36 (36, 4)
Length with gun, mm - 9000 (9000)
Body length, mm - 6270 (6040)
Width, mm - 3150 (3270)
Height, mm - 2400 (2400)
Clearance, mm - 425 (425)
Armament - 100 mm D-10T cannon, 3 SG-43 machine guns, 1 DShK (100 mm D-10TG cannon, 2 SGMT machine guns, 1 DShK.)
Reservation, hull forehead - 120 mm (100 mm)
Board - 80 (80)
Poop - 45 (45)
Tower forehead - 200 (200)
Roof - 30 (30)
Bottom - 20 (20)
Specific pressure, kg cm2 - 0.93 (0.81)
Cruising in store, km - 330 (440)
Engine (520 HP) - B-54 (B-54)
Specific power, hp s., t - 14, 4 (14, 3)
Track width, mm - 500 (580)
Radio station - 10-RT-26 (R-113)
Crew - 4 (4)
