War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

User:U58771844

2022-06-19T01:09:20Z

U58771844: Replaced content with "Soviet Enjoyer"

Soviet Enjoyer

BTR-152A

2020-06-30T03:01:44Z

U58771844: Historical use and modern day service

{{Specs-Card|code=ussr_btr_152a}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_BTR-152A.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{specs|name}}''' is a rank {{specs|rank}} Soviet Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft gun {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.71 "New E.R.A"]]. As with any APC, it features light armour on a spacey vehicle, a good crew count, a decent gun and good mobility. Since there is no infantry to fight, the BTR is used as an AA in-game.

The BTR-152 is an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) on a six-wheeled, open-topped truck chassis, meaning unlike the Soviet truck-mounted anti-aircraft vehicles, it can survive low-calibre MG fire from ground vehicles. However, anything above 30 calibre doesn't have much trouble taking this vehicle down. It features a top-mounted twin [[KPVT (14.5 mm)|KPVT]] gun mount with good traverse and elevation rate. Something to note is the presence of the two spare loaders in the back. Inexperienced players, or those who don't know the structure of the BTR-152A, tend to repeatedly shoot the cab of the truck, leaving these two crew members relatively unharmed.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===


While armour is nothing impressive for any BR, it is in no way rubbish or useless since it protects the crew from most light ground menaces such as machine-gun fire, most indirect artillery shrapnel, low-caliber HE shells and even some medium-range heavy machine gunfire. These light plates have some chances not detonating incoming APHE rounds, virtually turning them into pure AP shells. To maximize this effect, one should never face tanks upfront. It is recommended to always show side armour if fired at, as from the side, modules are quite spaced out. Avoid autocannons at all costs since any of them can shred this APC in no time from almost any angle. Anyways, in most scenarios, it is better recommended to '''just hit the gas''' and avoid any incoming shots/artillery fire.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 13 mm (34-64°) ''Grille'' 13 mm (41°) ''Windshield'' 6 mm (84°) ''Hood'' || 10 mm (0-22°) ''Main hull'' 6 mm (0-38°) ''Above wheels'' || 8 mm (0°) || N/A
|-
| Turret || 6 mm (15°) ''Magazine'' 10 mm (0°) ''Gun rack'' || N/A || 6 mm (0°) || N/A
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Wheels are 2 mm thick.

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 156|rbMinHp= 97|}}

Here is an interesting feature that can provide any wise commander with a few hits: {{PAGENAME}}'s speed. This light APC can carry itself over the road at breakneck speeds, provided it can ride a paved road. In good circumstances, it can reach over 80 km/h and keep its good speed even while turning, due to its wheeled chassis. Offroad mobility is not bad, meaning it can easily follow medium and light tanks on any terrain, making for an effective flanker. Backwards, speed tops at -20 km/h, which is enough to get out of an ugly situation if needed. With its large wheels, this truck can cross some small trenches and rivers, where its GAZ and ZiS truck counterparts would ditch. This truck's centre of mass is quite low, allowing it to turn at high speeds without rolling.

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|KPVT (14.5 mm)}}

This is where this truck shines over its predecessor and followers: it has a higher rate of fire and more ammunition while retaining a good armour penetration and having a fully rotating turret (where the 72-K trucks are unable fire directly in front). Each ammo loadout can effectively engage tanks' sides with relative ease (at close range) and easily shred even heavy planes. The guns can fire for 10 seconds before overheating, or ~150 bullets, half of their magazine.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[KPVT (14.5 mm)|14.5 mm KPVT]]
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity each)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
|-
| colspan="2" | 1,200 (150) || 600 || -5°/+89° || ±180° || N/A
|-
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
|-
! style="width:4em" |Mode
! style="width:4em" |Stock
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| ''Arcade'' || 40.51 ||56.07||68.08||75.29||80.09
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 27.37 || 32.2 || 39.1 ||43.24||46
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| 10.4 ||9.2||8.48||8
|-
|}

==== Belt statistics ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
|-
! style="width:4em" |10m
! style="width:4em" |100m
! style="width:4em" |500m
! style="width:4em" |1000m
! style="width:4em" |1500m
! style="width:4em" |2000m
|-
| Universal || 31 || 27 || 22 || 17 || 15 || 13
|-
| API-T || 45 || 42 || 29 || 21 || 19 || 17
|-
| IAI || 27 || 26 || 19 || 16 || 14 || 12
|}

====Belt types====
{| class="wikitable"
| '''Belts''' || '''Shell composition''' || '''Combat usage'''
|-
| align="left" |'''''Universal ''''' || align="left" | AP-I, API-T, IAI || align="left" | This is the default belt in usage up until unlocking the API-T belt. It can effectively engage both tanks and planes but is not as good against tanks as the API-T belt.
|-
| align="left" |'''''API-T''''' || align="left" | API-T, AP-I(c), IAI|| align="left" | Once unlocked, this is the best belt for dealing with both ground and air target. 1/3 of its bullets can rip trough some side armour (close range) at this BR. Another 1/3 of this belt is specifically purposed against planes. The last 1/3 is general-purpose API-T, ''okay'' but not ''good'' against both tanks and planes
|-
| align="left" |'''''IAI''''' || align="left" | IAI, API-T || align="left" | Specific belt for hunting planes 1/2 of this belt is IAI ammo, which has no penetration but sets fires to planes quite easily. In emergency situations, can be used against tanks.
|}

==== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks BTR-152A.jpg|right|thumbnail|x150px|Ammo racks of the BTR-152A.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual discrepancy
|-
|| '''1,200''' || 600 ''(+600)'' || 0 ''(+1,200)'' || style="text-align:left" | no
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


As an AA vehicle, this thing is deadly to CAS that gets close. The MGs have good RPM and a good spread which is important in AA. As long as you lead correctly this vehicle can be used to shield you from 250 lbs - 1,000 lbs from the Allied aircraft or the 500 kgs from the Germans. If down-tiered, it should do alright against most tanks as it has quite good penetration, but if up-tiered, you need to get on the sides or rear of most tanks.

Stick close to the middle of the pack, but not too close to anyone to avoid becoming too obvious a target for tanks or aircraft. It is a good idea to stay close to the front lines, to help protect against aircraft and spot enemy tanks. It does have somewhat poor ammo capacity, so one might benefit from staying on a point to reload while swatting planes out of the sky.

This vehicle can easily be used as a frontline AA and skilled players can even flank with such a truck.

'''Frontline AA''' 
Stick to allies and watch the skies. Team play is key with this SPAA since it cannot effectively destroy most ground targets from the front; it will often have to rely on ally firepower. When the battle gets hot, do not hesitate to hit the gas and reach cover while keeping an eye on the sky. Watch out for fighters since they will try to strafe this juicy open-topped target. Loading the API-T belt is recommended, as it can engage both tanks and planes (both of them can appear in sight at any moment).

'''Flanker''' 
Be sneaky. Any tank can end this truck (or at least critically damage it) at any range. Use the road to maximize mobility and strike quickly. Take out tanks by their sides, empty your magazines and retreat to cover, and make sure to not stay in the same spot for too long. If the enemy knows your presence (turret turned towards you), abort flanking manoeuvres and return to the safety of the team.
===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
!Tier
! colspan="2" |Mobility
!Protection
! colspan="2" |Firepower
|-
|I
|Tires
|
|Parts
|Horizontal Drive
|IAI
|-
|II
|Suspension
|Brake System
|FPE
|Adjustment of Fire
|API-T
|-
|III
|Filters
|
|Crew Replenishment
|Elevation Mechanism
|
|-
|IV
|Transmission
|Engine
|
|Artillery Support
|
|-
|}
=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good rate of fire (effective anti-aircraft)
* All ammo loads contains AP shells with at least 25 mm of penetration
* Elevation of 89° and 360° rotating turret means very little to none anti-aircraft blind spot
* Small turret and high mounted guns make hull-down position extremely effective
* Can fire a whole 10 seconds before weapons jams due to heat
* Huge magazines, reloading is rare
* Huge ammo load means it is unlikely to go dry
* Decent damage
* Can cross small trenches
* Fast turret traverse and elevation
* Small ammo racks
* Less likely to be destroyed by ramming compared to the GAZ trucks

'''Cons:'''

* Armour piercing rounds lose a lot of penetration power between 100 and 500 m
* Very high vehicle and large target
* Long reload time
* If firing continuously can only fire half of its mag before having to unjam weapons
* Atrocious performance in deep snow and sand
* API-T belt only consists of 1/4 cermet round, which is the highest penetration round
* Open-topped, vulnerable to strafing planes and artillery
* Vulnerable to HMG and autocannons
* Only -5 degrees of gun depression coupled with the high turret placement can make aiming at close targets difficult

== History ==


The BTR (Russian: Бронетранспортер/''Bronetransporter''- or “armoured transport”) was a modified design according to the Zwas-151 truck. It features a 6x6 chassis with an additional 5 tons of sloped armour. The mobility and speed were inferior to the original Zwas-151 truck, but it relied on more protection, which was vital than speed. By 1960 the model had been significantly improved in terms of its main characteristics.

The BRT-152 became the main Soviet armoured personnel carrier (APC) which was then replaced by the 8x8 model BTR-40 later on. The BTR-152A was the SPAAG variant with a double ZPTU-2 or quadruple ZPTU-4 KPVT 14.5 mm heavy machine guns set up.

In terms of aesthetics, the vehicle was influenced by US and German half-tracks, while utilising regular tires instead of tracks. The engine was at the front and the radiator was protected with armoured shutters. There were 10 fire points with pistol ports allowing protection for the crew.

Despite being 70 years old as of March 2020, BTR-152s still see service worldwide. Most are in use by Syria at around 600 in service, followed by North Korea with 300. War Thunder's BTR (the BTR-152A) is likely also still in service as well. One of its most notable uses was by the Ethiopian Army during the Ogaden War(1977-1978).

== Media ==


;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:BTR-152 (ZPTU-4) at Kubinka pic1.jpg|thumb|none|250px|BTR-152 at Kubinka museum]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:CrewSpots BTR-152A.jpeg|thumb|none|300px|X-ray view showing the positions of crew members]] </li>
</ul></div>

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/4901-development-btr-152a-ztpu-2-skeet-shooter-en <nowiki>[Devblog]</nowiki> BTR-152A (ZTPU-2): Skeet Shooter]
* [https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/ace-threats-integration/m/documents/213747 [APAN Communities<nowiki>]</nowiki> BTR Handbook - The Universal APC]

{{USSR anti-aircraft vehicles}}

User:U58771844

2020-06-30T02:32:53Z

U58771844: Created page with "I know things about soviet tanks and play excessive amounts of war thunder. I've always been passionate about the historical development of mechanized warfare up until the pre..."

I know things about soviet tanks and play excessive amounts of war thunder. I've always been passionate about the historical development of mechanized warfare up until the present day. AFVs are my main focal point, but i spend some time on naval and aerial subjects too.

T-50

2020-06-30T02:25:47Z

U58771844: /* Sources */

{{Specs-Card|code=ussr_t_50}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_T-50.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41. It is an effective light tank with great sloping armour and an adequate 45 mm cannon, a great vehicle for beginners getting used to the Soviet play style in higher ranks.

As a light tank, the T-50 is very agile and it has a very high top speed and HP ratio, due to this ratio the acceleration on the T-50 is outstanding; 60 Km/h in about 6 seconds Off-road. It mounts the same gun as the [[T-26|T-26]] but compensates for lack of penetration with the ability to use APCR shells. It has excellent armour for a light tank and it's sloping makes it very effective, especially if angled properly, though its hull cheeks are somewhat vulnerable. Use its agility coupled with the excellent armour to perform flanking manoeuvres, destroy enemy tanks and retreat quickly. It is often used in tier 2 battles for its versatility as an aggressive scout tank.

The armour is especially capable at stopping rounds when facing US [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm]] and German [[KwK 38 (50 mm)|50 mm]] cannons, which will bounce fairly easily even without proper angling. The gun is also excellent for a 2.7 tank, having a fairly high velocity combined with a good HE filler amount and a very fast fire rate which makes follow up/corrective shots easy and lethal.

Unfortunately, there is one major flaw with the T-50- the turret traverse. It has a very slow traverse rate which makes up-close urban encounters very

Most new tankers will quickly become used to the T-50 due to its forgiving armour, mobility, and fast-firing gun. Basically, the T-50 is a mini T-34 and should be played as such- as a close range brawler.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Cupola)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 40 mm (53°) ''Front glacis'' 40 mm (55-56°) ''Cheeks'' 45 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis'' || 40 mm (40°) ''Top'' 40 mm (1°) ''Bottom'' || 25 mm (59°) ''Top'' 40 mm (9-28°) ''Bottom''|| 15 mm
|-
| Turret || 40 mm (13-64°) ''Turret front'' 40 mm (23-54°) ''Gun mantlet''|| 40 mm (16-19°) || 15 mm (13-15°) || 15 mm
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
|-
| Cupola || 40 mm || 15 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick in armour.

Like its big brother, the T-34, the T-50 has sloped frontal armour that can bounce most shots if angled properly. Additionally, there aren't many vital components (ammo rack, fuel tank, majority of the crew, etc.) in the front. Firing at the front will, at best, knock out the driver and immobilize the tank. However, the gun will still be operational and the T-50's gun is more than capable of defeating opponents at its level. Therefore, it is best to aim for other parts of the tank.

The advice for defeating a T-50 is similar to many other tanks: flank it and hit the sides. This is easier said than done, of course, as the T-50 demonstrates excellent mobility, but with the right amount of sneaking around, it can be done. Both sides of the tank contain juicy ammo racks that are hard to miss if the tank's sides are hit, but more experienced drivers will know to empty the left wall. Therefore, it is advised to fire at the right side of the tank if possible.

If the right side is angled at an impenetrable angle, or if it simply is too difficult to hit, the next best target is the turret. Hitting it anywhere on the turret is likely to, upon penetration, wound if not knock out the three crew inside the turret. Combined with the T-50's subpar turret traverse, the T-50 will be in dire straits if its turret is hit. Make sure to fire at the tracks with secondary armament, if possible, to immobilize the tank so anyone could dispatch it with leisure.

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 465|rbMinHp= 265|}}

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|20-K (45 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[20-K (45 mm)|45 mm 20-K]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 150 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 7.62 || 10.54 || 12.80 || 14.16 || 15.06 || rowspan="2" | 3.77 || rowspan="2" | 3.33 || rowspan="2" | 3.07 || rowspan="2" | 2.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 4.76 || 5.60 || 6.80 || 7.52 || 8.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| BR-240 || APHEBC || 70 || 68 || 59 || 50 || 42 || 35
|-
| BR-240SP || AP || 73 || 71 || 62 || 52 || 44 || 37
|-
| BR-240P || APCR || 106 || 99 || 72 || 49 || 33 || 23
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| BR-240 || APHEBC || 760 || 1.43 || 1.2 || 9.0 || 29.26 || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| BR-240SP || AP || 757 || 1.43 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
| BR-240P || APCR || 1,070 || 0.85 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''150''' || 133 ''(+17)''|| 117 ''(+33)'' || 100 ''(+50)'' || 83 ''(+67)'' || 66 ''(+84)''|| 49 ''(+101)''|| 33 ''(+117)'' || 17 ''(+133)'' || 1 ''(+149)'' || Yes
|-
|}
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

Left wall empty: 100 ''(+50)''

=== Machine guns ===

{{main|DT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[DT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm DT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 1,890 (63) || 600 || N/A || N/A
|-
| Coaxial || 1,890 (63) || 600 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in the battles ==

The T-50 is unusual in that it combines great mobility and good armour with lacklustre firepower. It is quite capable at flanking and ambushing unsuspecting enemies, and is also adept at close range brawling.

With a high top speed and great acceleration, the T-50 is one of the faster tanks at its tier. With such speed, it is possible to reach desirable positions on the map well before the enemy can, and it is also possible to flank around the enemy with ease. However, sharp turning does tend to cause the T-50 to drift, losing speed and controllability.

This tank is also protected by a surprisingly powerful armour setup. The front and sides of the hull are sloped quite well, and this means that low tier tanks will often bounce their shells off of the T-50. The turret can also be quite challenging to penetrate.

With all of this in mind, the T-50's greatest weakness is its 45 mm main cannon. It's rather weak compared to the cannons on similar tanks, and the calibre is low for the battle rating. The gun's APHE shell does fairly decent post-penetration damage it it penetrates, but this is not guaranteed. Against better-armoured tanks, it is advisable to use the APCR shell for a better chance of penetrating. The gun has a fast reload, which makes it good for engaging multiple enemies at the same time. The turret traverse is slow, which may be a hindrance in close range brawls or city battles.

'''Notable Enemies:'''

The [[Pz.III (Disambiguation)|Pz.III]] line of tanks are equipped with powerful guns, a high rate of fire, and decent armour. This makes for a difficult opponent, but the T-50 can still come out on top if it takes advantage of its mobility and sloped armour. British tanks are also well-armoured, and against these vehicles it is usually better to use APCR shells over APHE shells. Although they do less post-penetration damage, they have a better chance of penetrating the enemy's armour in the first place.

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Tier
! colspan="2" |Mobility
!Protection
! colspan="3" |Firepower
|-
|I
|Tracks
|
|Parts
|BR-240SP
|Horizontal Drive
|
|-
|II
|Suspension
|Brake System
|FPE
|
|Adjustment of Fire
|Airstrike
|-
|III
|Filters
|
|Crew Replenishment
|BR-240P
|Elevation Mechanism
|
|-
|IV
|Transmission
|Engine
|
|Artillery Support
|Improved optics
|
|}

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Great mobility
* Decent penetration and good rate of fire
* Excellent armour
* Provides a good learning curve for the later T-34 1940
* Unlike the [[BT-5|BT]]-[[BT-7|tanks]], the T-50 can be driven with some precision
* It is easy to rush an enemy tank and catch them by surprise, giving a first shot advantage
* 45 mm shell has HE filler making it much more effective than the comparable shells in the US 37mms and British QF 40 mm cannons
* Unlike most tanks, it has two 7.62 mm machineguns in the turret. This allows for more effective combat against SPAA and low flying aircraft

'''Cons:'''

* Penetration can be found wanting with the APHE shell, though generally not an issue
* The high speed makes it easy to damage the tracks, especially the first few times driving this tank
* The cannon mantlet can be easily penetrated even by starter tanks
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Cramped interior, one penetration can knock out the majority of the crew

== History ==

===Development===
The Spanish Civil War gave the Soviets insight on the future of tank warfare, and the knowledge led to an attempt to upgrade or replace their tank forces that consisted mainly of the [[T-26|T-26]] light tanks. The development started in 1939 to create a replacement for the T-26 and [[BT-5|BT]] light tanks.

The prototypes created for this development were the [[T-126|T-126]] and T-127, which were similar to a previous T-46-5 project earlier abandoned. The T-126 was selected for further development and was to have two prototypes built and tested in Leningrad after the original design bureau was decimated by Stalin's Great Purge.

The design, now finalised as the '''T-50''' light tank, used innovative features in its introduction, using well-sloped welded armour, a torsion-bar suspension, diesel engine, a commander's cupola, and a three-man turret. It was also arranged for all of the tanks to accommodate radios. The T-50's design plan was completed by January 1941, and production was authorised after setting up in April. However, technical difficulties prevented this from happening. While its production was on standby, another tank with superior specifications was being tested and produced, which will end up as the [[T-34 (1940)|T-34]] medium tank.

===Production===
Though production was planned for in 1941, the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, which delayed the T-50 productions as tank manufacturing lines were relocated. Tanks were being produced in the Urals and that included the T-50 light tanks, finally in production. While an excellent design, it was mechanically unreliable, expensive, and hard to produce compared to the T-34 and another light tank design, the [[T-60]]. Because of these issues, only 69 T-50s were made before production ended in January 1942. During production, two variants were made, a basic model and an up-armoured model with extra bolted or welded metal plates. The basic model had a 37 mm frontal armour thickness, while the up-armoured version could have 57 mm thickness.

===Combat usage===
Despite the low numbers, the ones available were sent to Leningrad where they saw most of their service. Some were also used in the Continuation War against Finland as the Finnish were able to capture one up-armoured version in 1944. After that, its role was largely replaced by the more numerous and capable T-34 tanks, and it was relegated to reconnaissance roles when available.

Today, two T-50 tanks survive, one basic in the Kubinka Tank Museum, and the up-armoured variant in Finland at a museum in Parola.

=== In-game description ===
This tank was developed in 1940 to replace the Т-26 light tank, whose main task was direct infantry support on the battlefield. The T-50 was solidly armoured, well armed and equipped with a powerful diesel engine. It had a classical layout, with the driving and fighting compartments in the front of the vehicle and the engine transmission compartment in the rear. The armour plating on its hull was sloped at a steep angle. Its streamlined turret was fully welded. The tank seated three crew. The rear of the turret's roof contained a command cupola with seven observation slots protected by armoured hatches. The vehicle was armed with a 45 mm 20K Mod. 1938 cannon and two 7.62 mm DT coaxial machine guns.

Thanks to its 300 hp B-4 diesel engine, the vehicle's road speed came to 52 km/h in spite of its 13.8 tonne mass. Two fuel tanks with an overall capacity of 350 litres gave it an operational range of up to 344 km by road. Road wheels with internal cushioning and torsion-bar suspension were mounted in the tank's undercarriage.

These tanks were mass-produced by factory No. 174. Between July 1941 and February 1942, 69 of these tanks were built. The tank's construction was far more complicated than that of the T-26. The inline six-cylinder diesel engine designed for it was very difficult for the industry to adopt into its manufacturing processes.

The T-50 was primarily used on the Leningrad front. Several tanks were equipped with add-on armour plates during field maintenance. During the battles of 1941, one vehicle was captured by Finnish troops and was used right up to the end of 1954.

The tank turned out to be functionally designed and well balanced, with overall optimal combat and service characteristics. Its armament, armour and mobility were equal to the German PzKpfw III medium tank, and it had significantly smaller dimensions and lower combat-loaded weight.

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== Read also ==

* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/3250/current/ Official War Thunder forum article: [Vehicle Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> T-50]

== Sources ==

* The Wikipedia article on the [[wikipedia:T-50_tank|T-50]]

{{USSR light tanks}}