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The T-44 was a medium tank developed and produced near the end of World War II by the Soviet Union. It was the successor to the T-34, offering an improved ride and cross-country performance, along with much greater armor. Designed to be equipped with an 85 mm main gun, by the time it was fully tested the T-34 had also moved to this weapon. Both tanks offered similar performance, so introducing the T-44 was not considered as important as increasing T-34 production. Fewer than 2,000 T-44s were built, compared to about 58,000 T-34s. Although the T-44 was available by the end of the war, it was not used in any battle. It was 1 ton lighter than the T-34-85 and slightly faster. The T-44 was heavily influential on the design of the T-54/55 Medium tank, most prominently lower hull and turret profiles. Also notable was the T-44-100, a 100mm D-10T-armed prototype, which would be the same 100mm gun mounted on the T-54/55, bar some minor changes.

Key Information

Attempts were made to improve the T-44's armament with a new 122mm gun, but the turret proved to be very cramped and the rate of fire was poor, on the order of three rounds per minute. Design work on a slightly enlarged version of the T-44 began during the war and a prototype was produced in 1945. This newer design entered production in 1947 as the T-54/55 series of medium tanks, the most-produced tank series of all time.

Development history

[edit]

Genesis

[edit]

By the end of 1940, when production of the T-34 started,[2][3] there were already plans to improve the vehicle's reliability and operational capabilities by adopting more modern technology.[4]

This design project was designated T-34M.[4] It had enhanced armour protection,[2] a three-man hexagonal turret, torsion bar suspension instead of Christie suspension, road wheels with internal shock absorption,[2] increased fuel capacity,[2] and more main gun ammunition (100 rounds instead of 77 in standard T-34).[2][5]‹The template Self-published inline is being considered for merging.› [self-published source?] The bow machine gun and driver's hatch switched positions on the glacis plate. In addition to six smaller wheels,[5] the suspension of the T-34M had four return rollers. The original model V-2 12-cylinder diesel engine developing 500 hp (373 kW) was replaced by a new 12-cylinder diesel engine which produced 600 horsepower (450 kW).[5][6] It had a new 8-speed transmission system.[5] It was the first tank design to feature transverse engine placement, which made it smaller than a standard T-34 and gave the crew more space.[5]

The Zhdanov Metallurgical Factory manufactured five sets of armour plates for the hull of the T-34M[2] and delivered them to Factory No. 183.[2] However, early in 1941 work on the T-34M ceased[2] as the production facilities were extremely busy with the mass production of the T-34.[2] When the war with Nazi Germany broke out the only sensible solution was to gradually improve the existing design.[3]

T-44's predecessor, the T-34-85

During the battles on the Eastern Front it became apparent that the Red Army needed a new medium tank.[5] They requested that it should have better protection at a minimal increase of weight.[5][6] In 1942 the T-43 tank design project began. It featured a new turret and shorter suspension which reduced the clearance between the roadwheels.[5] However, it concentrated on increasing armour at a time when maintaining production and increasing firepower were more important. The T-43 was cancelled, but its new turret design was adapted to carry a larger 85mm D-5T and later ZiS-S-53 gun in a new variant called the T-34-85. It marked the end of T-34 improvements as fitting 100mm guns in T-34-100[5] prototypes proved unfeasible. (See T-34 variants article for details).[3][7]

Prototypes

[edit]

First generation

[edit]

In the autumn of 1943 the design bureau of the Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183, located in Nizhny Tagil (in the Ural Mountains, where most of the Soviet tank industry had been evacuated after Operation Barbarossa in 1941), started working on a vehicle that would have improvement opportunities in the future, under a direct order from Joseph Stalin.[8] The intention was to retain the high mobility of the T-34 and provide it with heavier armour protection against modern tank guns. In November 1943, the chief designer, A. A. Morozov, presented the overall design of the vehicle and a model of the tank, which received the designation T-44 (Ob'yekt 136). The first prototype was completed by January 1944 and two more were completed in February. The first two prototypes were armed with 85mm D-5T guns and received the designation T-44-85, while the third prototype was armed with the 122mm D-25-44T tank gun and received the designation T-44-122. The D-25-44T tank gun was very similar to the basic D-25 field gun, but differed in some minor details including fixed single-piece ammunition to increase the rate of fire and a double-baffle muzzle brake. The penetration of the gun is disputed over whether the in battle or tested under conditions results should be used but in battle the penetration like previous model the t-34 the gun was unable to penetrate the expected amount of armor due to the powder used in the shells.[7][9] What allowed fitting such powerful armament in a medium tank weighing 30 tonnes was the construction of the hull with an innovative placement of the engine. Unlike most tanks, in the T-44 the engine was placed perpendicular to the axis of the tank. The hull was designed without sponsons. It was also much wider which made the crew compartment bigger and allowed the turret to be placed over the center part of the vehicle.[7] This reduced the overall length of the vehicle. The thickness of the armour was 75mm on the front of the hull and 90mm on the front of the turret. The side armour was 45 mm thick and could be reinforced by 30 mm thick additional armour plate. All three prototypes were powered by the V-2IS diesel engine which developed 500 hp (373 kW). This first generation of prototypes featured a raised cast driver's hatch with an opening vision flap as well as mounting bolts in a ring around the base of the gun tube.[3][7][9]

Morozov's new medium tank design received a skeptical response.[10] It was believed that putting a high-speed 12-cylinder engine with a working displacement of almost 40 liters perpendicular to the direction of travel would cause problems, including breaking the connecting rods.[10] It was believed that decreasing the displacement of the engine compartment for the purpose of enlarging the fighting compartment was unnecessary and that moving the turret rearwards would limit the elevation angle of the main gun. However, it turned out that even though rotating the engine complicated the transmission by introducing an additional reduction gear - gear-train and fan drive, it also solved many problems. The cover of the engine and transmission compartment turned along with the radiator; this allowed easier access to the engine, transmission and batteries. The significant decrease in the length of the engine compartment allowed the turret to be moved rearwards, which in turn moved its rotation axis and the center of mass[11] to the center of the hull, increased the accuracy of the main gun[7] and decreased a chance that the turret could get stuck after getting hit in the turret ring with a projectile that ricocheted.[11] The thickness of the frontal armor protection more than doubled without disturbing the center of mass or drastically increasing the weight of the tank. At the beginning of World War II the thickness of T-34 armor was considered enough. Improvements made to the T-34 during World War II included increasing the caliber of the gun (from 76.2 mm to 85 mm) and thickening the armor of the turret. No significant improvements were made to the hull. Increasing the size of the fighting compartment allowed the removal of floor ammunition stowage. The height of the tank was decreased by 300 mm, even though the turret remained almost the same. Removal of the conical pair in the transmission permitted fitting a more compact gear-box and improved the control of the brakes and the steering clutch. Visibility from the driver's position was improved. The driver was protected from being splashed by water while the vehicle was fording.[10] The new torsion bar suspension allowed easier crossing of rough ground.[10]

Second generation

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T-44-122 prototype during comparative trials against captured German Panther
Second of the two first generation T-44-85 prototypes and T-44-122 prototype during comparative trials

The first trials of the T-44-122 prototype took place in February and March 1944, but were unsuccessful due to gun failure, and the gun was returned to the No. 9 factory for repair. In April and May 1944 the trials were resumed. Aside from standard trials, the T-44-122 was put in competitive trials against a captured German Panzerkampfwagen V Panther medium tank[7] and the second of two first generation T-44-85 prototypes.[7] The practical rate of fire was two to three rounds per minute due to the cramped turret and long, heavy ammunition.[7] The vehicle had a very limited storage of only 24 rounds and this was considered insufficient for a medium tank. As a result, all further development of the T-44-122 prototype was cancelled.[3][7][9]

Like the T-44-122 prototype, one of the two first-generation T-44-85 prototypes went through competitive trials against a captured German Panzerkampfwagen V Panther medium tank.[7] The second of the two first-generation T-44-85 prototypes was put in competitive trials against the T-44-122 prototype.[7] The second prototype uncovered additional faults in the design. By May 1944 two second-generation prototypes were being built. These featured the driver's position moved rearwards so that his hatch was partially on the hull roof. The driver's vision flap was reduced to a plain square flap with rounded lower corners, in line with the glacis plate. These prototypes had prominent collars at the base of the gun tube, without the mounting bolts which were present in the first generation prototypes. The two prototypes also have differences between each other.[9] One prototype had a splashboard on the glacis plate[9] while the other had a smooth uncluttered glacis plate.[9] One of these prototypes passed trials at the NIBT proving grounds near Kubinka in June and July 1944. This prototype weighed 31.3 tonnes and was armed with an 85 mm ZiS-S-53 gun. The turret front armour thickness was increased to 115 mm. Hulls side armour thickness was increased to 75 mm.[3][9]

T-44A

[edit]

The third generation prototype, which received the designation T-44A, was completed after the Morozov Design Bureau had moved back to Kharkiv in Ukraine. The hull upper front armour (glacis plate) thickness was increased to 90 mm and the turret front armour thickness was increased to 120 mm. Even though it was more heavily armoured, the weight went down to 30.7 tonnes. This vehicle had a new V-44 12-cylinder 4-stroke diesel engine of 520 hp (388 kW) at 1,800 rpm, which allowed the tank to travel at a speed of 60.5 km/h. This prototype had the splashboard on the glacis plate like one of the second generation T-44-85 prototypes.[9] This prototype featured some other differences from the earlier prototypes, including the fact that drivers hatch was moved entirely to the roof of the hull[9] and the vision flap was deleted from the design[9] and replaced by a vision slot in the glacis plate.[9] After trials conducted in August and September 1944 and after it received several upgrades[3] (which increased the weight of the vehicle to 32 tonnes), the T-44A officially entered service with the Red Army on the 23 November 1944,[3][9] but did not see combat during World War II.

T-44-100 and T-54

[edit]
One of the two T-44-100 prototypes. The 100 mm gun, 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft heavy machine gun mounted on the loader's hatch and 6 mm thick anti-HEAT side-skirts protecting the sides are visible. This example does not have a splashboard on the glacis plate.

Even with its innovative technology and better armor protection the T-44A still used the same 85 mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun as fitted on the T-34-85 medium tank. The army needed a new tank armed with a more powerful 100 mm gun.[3] At the end of 1944 the designers had three types of 100 mm guns at their disposal - the D-10 (which had already proved itself in combat use in the SU-100 tank destroyer) as well as prototypes of the ZiS-100 and LB-1 (LB stands for Lavrenty Beria).[3][9] The T-44 tank armed with the 100 mm tank gun originally received the designation T-44B. Two projects were started, both based on the T-44A. The development of the first one started in October 1944 at the design bureau of the Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183, located in Nizhny Tagil. The design stage was completed in December and the prototype was ready in February 1945. The trials conducted between March and April gave positive results and the vehicle eventually entered service with the Red Army as the T-54. The tank had almost the same hull and drive train as the T-44A. Differences included thickened front armour (120 mm on the upper section and 90 mm on the lower section) and a different hatch and vision slot for the driver. The turret had increased diameter to 1800 mm. There was thicker armour (180 mm on the front, between 90 mm and 150 mm on the sides and 30 mm on the roof). The armament included the 100 mm D-10TK tank gun as well as two 7.62 mm GWT machine guns. The tank was powered by a new V-54 12-cylinder 38.88 liter water-cooled diesel engine developing 520 hp (388 kW) at 2,000 rpm. The fuel capacity was increased (530 liters in the internal fuel tank and 165 liters in the external fuel tank). The external fuel tanks were connected to the fuel system. The rubber rollers on the roadwheels were widened. The weight was increased to 35.5 tonnes, which reduced the maximal road speed to 43.5 km/h. The maximal road operational range increased to 360 km. Because of positive results seen in trials, it was decided to modernize the tank before starting production (for more details about it see the T-54/55 article) as well as to put the new tank's turret onto two modified serial T-44A tanks. This was done in 1945 and the two prototype tanks received the designation T-44-100. One of the prototypes was armed with a D-10TK tank gun while the other one was armed with a LB-1 tank gun.[3][9] Like the second generation T-44-85 prototypes, the two T-44-100 prototypes had differences between each other. One prototype had a splashboard on the glacis plate while the other did not. They both had the 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft heavy machine gun fitted to the loader's hatch, 6 mm thick anti-HEAT sideskirts protecting the sides and two cylindrical fuel tanks in the back[7] which increased the fuel capacity to 1035 liters.[12] These cylindrical fuel tanks were later used on Soviet main battle tanks as additional fuel tanks. Further development of the T-44 was canceled and all the attention was directed towards the development of the new T-54 main battle tank.[7][9]

Description

[edit]

The T-44 had a typical tank layout: the driving compartment at the front, the fighting compartment in the middle and the engine compartment in the rear. The original intention was to retain the high mobility and speed of a T-34 and to provide the T-44 with heavier armour protection against large-caliber tank guns. This was accomplished by adding thicker armour but reducing the internal volume of the hull. The T-44 had a lower profile than the T-34, and was potentially simpler to manufacture. [citation needed] Although the T-44 used many components of the T-34, it had a new hull, and a modified model V-2 diesel engine, suspension and transmission.[7][9]

Reflecting trends in other designs in this period, the T-44 was designed without the hull radio operator/machine gunner position present in many older designs. This was done for a number of reasons.[13] The extensive machine gun firing port in the glacis plate (which was present in the T-34 medium tank) was a weak spot in the armour.[14] In the T-34, this firing port and the driver's hatch were exploited during World War II by the Germans fighting the T-34s.[14] Shooting the machine gun was ineffective as it was inaccurate due to obscured vision.[13] It was considered inefficient to transfer reports through an additional member of the crew and therefore these duties were transferred to the commander.[13] The space saved was used for a fuel tank[13] and to increase the ammunition load.[9] The driver's hatch was on the left side of the hull roof. The tank had an improved hull design, longer and wider than the T-34 but slightly lower thanks to the relocation of the air filter, with thicker armour, and was simpler to construct. [citation needed] The hull had a sloped glacis plate, vertical sides, and a slightly beveled rear. Most tanks had a splashboard on the glacis plate although there are pictures of T-44A tanks without them. It protected the upper part of the vehicle from splashes of mud or water. There were three mounts for rectangular stowage bins on the fenders (two on the right fender and one on the left fender). There were four mountings for cylindrical fuel tanks on the fenders (two per side). This was changed in the T-44M which used rectangular fuel cells.[7][9]

During its service the tank proved to be not entirely adapted to winter conditions, due to an incomplete draining of the cooling system, caused by a water pump system that had been modified to reduce engine height. A small shaft would break after the impeller pump froze. The repair of the shaft, considering the field conditions, proved very impractical and required three people. Two people had to hold a third person by the legs and lower him into the engine bay, where he had to loosen the fastening and remove the broken shaft. Then, he was pulled out and lowered back down to install the new shaft. He was repeatedly lowered until the new part was secured. Another serious problem discovered during the winter conditions was that the crews of the T-44A suffered from frostbite because of the complete lack of a heating system. The driver was supposed to be protected from rain and snow by a removable Tarpaulin cover with a small glass window. However, this was not successful and its use was deemed impractical.[10]

Second generation T-44-85 prototype during trials. This unit has no splashboard, and the gap between the second and third roadwheels.
Second generation T-44-85 prototype during trials at NIBT proving grounds near Kubinka, summer 1944. Notice driver's vision flap was reduced to a plain square flap with rounded lower corners, in line with the glacis plate, a prominent collar at the base of the gun tube and the splashboard on the glacis plate.

The T-44 had a compact torsion-bar suspension instead of the T-34's Christie coil springs, although it retained the Christie method of engagement between the slotted drive wheel and track lugs. The suspension had five large spoked road wheels and 'dead' 500 mm wide track from the T-34.[8] The hull and wheels were virtually identical to the early T-54 main battle tanks although the original T-44 had the T-34's 'spider' road wheels and a narrow, inset drive wheel at the rear. The T-44 was the last Soviet medium tank with paddle-type tracks. The mechanism for tensioning them was significantly better on the T-44 than it was on the T-34. On the T-34, the first two lug-nuts on the crank had to be loosened and then the crank pounded with a sledge hammer in order to separate it from the hull. After the track was tensioned, the crank had to be set back in place with a sledge hammer. The whole process required up to three people. On the T-44, the same task could be carried out by one person, without the help of a sledge-hammer. The roadwheels were spaced evenly from each other except for a prominent gap between two of the roadwheels. The T-44-85 and T-44-122 prototypes had a gap between the second and third roadwheels like in the T-34[5] but the T-44A had a gap between the first and second roadwheels.[5] This arrangement of wheels was continued in the T-54 and T-55 main battle tanks. The roadwheels sometimes started to 'fall home' after 2,500 km. To increase the service life of the road wheel, a slight camber of the paired road wheels was tried. However, this resulted in greater stress on the outer rollers. When the tank crosses 20 km of rough ground it can pick up about a ton of dirt along the way.[7][9][10]

The new V-44 12-cylinder 4-stroke diesel engine, developing 520 hp (388 kW) at 1,800 rpm, was a more powerful version of the T-34's model V-2 with a new planetary manual 5-speed transmission system, filtration system, improved cooling system, horizontally placed water and oil pumps[6][15] and an improved fuel system which increased its power output,[6] although the tank retained the side clutches from the T-34.[7] The new engine gave the T-44 a maximal road speed of 53 km/h and maximal cross country speed of 20 km/h to 25 km/h as well as maximal road range of 350 km. The engine could become worn out after the tank traveled 3,000 km. When that happened, the oil pressure would drop to 2-3 atmospheres and under heavy loads, the engine would start smoking, spewing out black smog out of the side of the tank. The engine deck had two transverse ventilation grilles at the rear. The exhaust port was on the rear left hand side of the hull. The tank could cross 1 m high vertical obstacles, 2.5 m wide trenches, 32°[5][16] side slopes and 60° gradients and ford 1.3 m deep water obstacles without preparation.[7][10][12]

Because driver's hatch was moved from the glacis plate and positioned so that he exited the vehicle perpendicularly instead of crawling out of the hatch, his seat received an elevating mechanism. While in a relatively safe area the driver could elevate his seat to look outside of the tank, providing greater visibility and easier access to the controls. While in combat the driver lowered his seat back into the tank and had to rely on the vision slot protected by triplex (three-layer glass).[15] While in this position the pedals of the main clutch, the fuel supply, and incline brake were positioned much higher and the levers of the steering clutch and gear shifting became inconvenient to operate. Early examples had transmission problems. While the driver was switching gears, two gears could engage simultaneously, which caused a broken gear pinion. This and other gearbox related problems were solved in a 1961 T-44M modernization with the introduction of a gearbox from the T-54 main battle tank.[7][9][10]

T-44A was armed with an 85mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun as well as two 7.62mm DTM light machine guns. One of these machine guns was mounted to fire through a tiny hole in the center of the glacis plate. Because the tank's crew did not include a radio operator/machine gunner, the driver operated this light machine gun. The gun was mounted in a fixed position and could only be aimed by turning the tank.[13] The main gun was placed in a centrally placed turret along with a coaxially mounted 7.62 mm DTM light machine gun. The ZiS-S-53 tank gun could penetrate around 100 mm of armour at range of 1000 m. The gun could be elevated or depressed between -5° and +25°.[5] It wasn't stabilized.[12] Like in the T-34 and the SU-76 SPG, hot cartridge-cases were rolling under the feet of the crew. The crew was also subjected to gases from the main gun every time after it was fired.[10] The tank carried 58 rounds for the 85 mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun and 1890 rounds for 7.62 mm DTM light machine guns.[7]

The turret was cast, with a prominent horizontal casting seam, shaped like an elongated hexagon, with sloped sides and overhang all around. It resembled a longer, better armoured T-34-85 turret. It had a cast gun mantlet with a small but prominent ring/collar around the base of the tank gun tube. The turret roof had a raised commander's cupola on the left and loader's hatch on the right with a low dome-shaped ventilator behind it. The turret was moved with an electric motor. The front armour of the turret was 120 mm thick while the side armour was 75 mm thick.[3][8][9]

The hull was made of rolled welded steel. The glacis plate was 90 mm thick while the side armour was 75 mm and the bottom armour was 20 mm thick. T-44 tanks could be fitted with additional 30 mm thick armour plates on the sides of the hull and the turret. Additional spaced armour panels could be fitted to the sides of the hull.[3][12]

The T-44A could be fitted with the PT-3 mine clearing device. It had a radio in the back of the turret with an antenna at the center of the left side of the turret. The vehicle was equipped with a submachine gun.[15] The vehicle lacked an NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) protection system and a night vision device.[9][12]

Production history

[edit]

The T-44A officially entered service with the Red Army on 23 November 1944, the production having started in October.[13] Production took place at the new Factory No. 75 (Zavod 75) in Kharkiv which used the buildings of the old KhPZ Factory No. 183 which were recaptured from Germans on 23 August 1943.[13] To restore the factories to working order, engineers, workers, machines and tools were sent from Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183, located in Nizhny Tagil.[13] The original plans were that the factory would produce 300 T-44As a month. However, only 25 were built by the end of 1944. In 1945, 940 were built, making a total of 965 (190[13] tanks built in 1944 and 1945 were completed by the end of the war). An additional 858 T-44As were made in 1946-1947. The T-34 continued to account for 85% of medium tank production through 1950,[17] and development of a more advanced medium tank with a more powerful 100 mm gun proceeded. The relatively brief production run ended in 1947 with a total of 1,823 T-44A tanks built. The reasons for such a brief production run included mechanical teething problems,[18] the end of the war which reduced the Red Army's need for a new tank,[18] and the design's inability to successfully fit a 100 mm tank gun.[18] It was replaced on the production lines by the T-54-1 main battle tank, which was more mechanically reliable and could mount a 100 mm gun. The superior T-54-2 would replace T-34 production at the Omsk Factory No. 183 in 1950, and the T-54/55 main battle tank series would remain in production until 1981.[3][9]

Service history

[edit]

The T-44 was issued to three tank brigades mustered on 15 September 1944 for training purposes, but these formations (6th Guards, 33rd Guards, and 63rd Guards Tank Brigades[19]) were re-equipped with T-34-85 tanks prior to entering the Battle of Berlin and Prague Offensive. The T-44A was not used operationally during World War II in Europe for several reasons, including the fact that the Red Army was not ready to accept a new tank;[7] as lack of sufficient spares[7] and technical specialists who could repair and maintain the new tanks;[7] and the fact that many of the tank crews would have to be retrained.[7] However, three tanks were sent to the 100th Special Tank Company, which tested them on the Eastern Front.[7] Many T-44As were immediately sent, after production, to the Far East of the Soviet Union. The first tanks arrived there before the end of the war and were used operationally during the last three days of fighting. They continued to arrive after the war and eventually around 600 T-44As were stationed there.[20]‹The template Self-published inline is being considered for merging.› [self-published source?]

Due to the Cold War, the USSR decided to keep the tank secret.[7][14] It was never shown publicly during military parades[14] and pictures were never shown publicly until the secrecy was dropped. There is almost no photographic evidence of T-44s stationed in East Germany[14] or while being used briefly in Poland and Romania for training respective tank crews in 1952[21] nor during the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956,[14] although it is factually known that T-44 tanks were sent to these various places (there are only a small number of known photographs of T-44A tanks in Hungary in existence).[14]

In 1961, a number of T-44As were modernized with parts from the T-54 medium tank and other upgrades and received the designation T-44M. In 1963, some T-44Ms were converted into T-44MK command tanks. In 1965 some T-44Ms were converted into BTS-4A armoured recovery vehicles.[13] In 1966, a number of T-44As and T-44Ms received the "Cyclone" gun stabilizer and the designations T-44S and T-44MS, respectively.[13] According to most sources T-44S, T-44M and T-44MS tanks remained in service with the Soviet Army until the end of the 1970s, when their usefulness as tanks had ended. It is possible that they remained in storage until the beginning of the 1990s.[20] Many T-44Ms were converted into artillery tractors, tank tractors and engineer tanks. A number of T-44A, T-44S, T-44M, T-44MK and T-44MS tanks were converted into fixed defensive positions; some of which are known to have been positioned on the border with the People's Republic of China.[14] Unlike most Soviet-made weapons, the T-44 wasn't exported.[7][9]

After the cloak of secrecy was lifted in the 1960s, when the tank was already becoming obsolete, it was used in the war movies[7] Father of a Soldier,[7] Liberation, Battle of Moscow, Red Cherry,[22] The Star,[23] and Downfall.[7][24] In the first, it was used to portray a T-34.[7] In Liberation, Red Cherry, The Star, and Downfall it was visually modified with additional plates[7] to resemble the Tiger I heavy tank.[7] Some T-44 and T-34 tanks were visually modified to represent German Panzerkampfwagen IVs. They were made for Soviet-era film studios and were used in a number of movies about battles on the Eastern Front. They were also used during a 2004 re-enactment of the Battle of Moscow.[25]

T-44 displayed in the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Moscow, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park.

Some T-44As were given to military museums including one in Brest in today's Belarus, and one in the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Moscow, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park. One of two T-44-100 prototypes are in the Kubinka Tank Museum near Moscow.

Restored T-44 "Znamenskiy" at the Kubinka Tank Museum.

In conjunction with the video game company Gaijin Entertainment, creators of the World War II multiplayer combat game War Thunder, and Kubinka Tank Museum, the T-44 tank number "221" was restored to full operating condition over the course of nearly six months, and given a parade paint scheme in the style of the T-44 "Znamenskiy" tank from the 29th Tank Corps of the 5th Guards Mechanized Army. This T-44 was one of the two T-44MS prototypes that had been stored outdoors at Kubinka for some time. The tank still carries its modified turret that was fitted with a two plane gun stabilizer.[26][27]

Variants

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  • T-44-85 (1944) – Designation for two first generation prototypes armed with 85 mm D-5T tank gun and two second generation prototypes armed with 85 mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun.[7][9]
    • T-44A (1944) – Designation for the third generation prototype and the production model.[3][7][9]
      • T-44S (1966) – T-44A fitted with "Cyclone" two-plane gun stabilization system.[9][13]
      • T-44M (1961) – T-44A modernization incorporating a drive train upgraded to match the one used in T-54 including the V-54 12-cylinder 38.88 liter water-cooled diesel engine developing 523 hp (390 kW), gearbox, tracks, 'starfish' road wheels and a conventional toothed drive sprocket, flush with the outer track edge. It had an increased ammunition stowage (from 58 rounds to 61 rounds), new R-113 and R-120 radio sets, a heater and infra-red night sight, TVN-2 night vision device for the driver as well as another fuel tank which increased the fuel capacity by 150 liters to 650 liters and 800 liters with additional fuel tanks.[13] The maximal road operational range of the tank increased to 420 km - 440 km.[13] The original fenders were replaced with T-54-style ones. The catwalk stowage was changed to the flat T-54 rectangular external fuel tanks with embossed circle and cross. Hence the T-44M had a different arrangement of additional fuel tanks and stowage boxes. There were four rectangular external fuel tanks as well as two smaller ones on the right fender and fastenings for four spare track chain links, one rectangular external fuel tank as well as two smaller ones and one stowage box. The tank received a mount for an antiaircraft machine gun.[13] A T-54-style headlight cluster with two headlights was added to right hand side of the glacis plate and the T-34-style headlight on the left hand side of the hull was removed.[9]
        • T-44MK (1963) – T-44M converted into a command tank. Apart from standard T-44M equipment, it is equipped with R-112 radio set. The ammunition stowage was reduced by 15 rounds to 46 rounds.[9][13]
        • T-44MS (1966) - T-44M fitted with "Cyclone" two-plane gun stabilization system. It also has increased maximal operational range.[13]
        • BTS-4A (1965) – T-44M converted into an armoured recovery vehicle. The turret has been removed. The vehicle was fitted with a stowage basket, a hoist and a small folding crane with a capacity of 3 tonnes and a snorkel. It was also known as BTS-4-44M.[9][13]
  • T-44 tanks converted into fixed fortifications. This process usually involved the removal of the engine and the gearbox while burying the tank up to the top of the hull and covering the turret in concrete to break up the outline and to give it a rock-like appearance.[9]
  • T-44-122 (1944) – First generation prototype armed with D-25-44T 122 mm tank gun. It carried 24 rounds.[3][7][9]
  • T-44-100 (1945) – Prototype fitted with a new modified turret which would allow fitting the 100 mm D-10T gun or 100 mm LB-1 gun. The tank carries 36 rounds for the 100 mm tank gun.[13] This prototype had the 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft heavy machine gun fitted to the loader's hatch, 6 mm thick sideskirts protecting the sides and two cylindrical fuel tanks in the back giving it a fuel capacity of 1035L. The longer tank gun barrel increased the overall length of the vehicle to 8.04 m. The new turret, new armament and the sideskirts made the vehicle heavier as it weighed 34.55 tonnes.[7][9][12]
  • SU-122-44 (1944) - Self-propelled gun prototype armed with a 122 mm gun.
  • Uralmash-1 (1944) - Self-propelled gun prototype armed with either 100 mm gun or 122 mm gun. Also known as SU-101 and SU-102.

Surviving vehicles

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T-44

T-44M

Operators

[edit]

Former operators

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of World War Two (Steven J. Zaloga, James Grandsen) page 184.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "KMDB T-34" Archived 2008-02-08 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Czołgi Świata" (World's Tanks or Tanks Of The World) magazine issue 25
  4. ^ a b "KMDB T-34M"
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Centrum Symulacji Taktyczno-Opearcyjnych"[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ a b c d "armor.kiev.ua"
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak "The Russian Battlefield"
  8. ^ a b c ""Czołgiem"". Archived from the original on 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag "JED The Military Equipment Directory"(subscription required)‹The template Self-published inline is being considered for merging.› [self-published source?] Archived May 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Rem Ulanov's memories"
  11. ^ a b "historycy.pl" Archived April 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ a b c d e f ""Modern Tanks"". Archived from the original on 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Средний танк Т-44, archived from the original on 26 December 2008
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h "Czołgi Info" Archived July 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ a b c "mkmagazin" Archived 2008-04-30 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Technika Wojskowa LWP. XXX lat rozwoju 1943 - 1973, page 57
  17. ^ Zaloga & Johnson 2004:6
  18. ^ Zaloga et al. 1997:61
  19. ^ a b "Inne Oblicza Histori"
  20. ^ "Arrival of new tanks CIA-RDP82-00457R014500130001-0.pdf" (PDF). www.cia.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  21. ^ "映画の中の戦車" [Tanks in movies. 1995-Red Cherry]. Archived from the original on 2009-06-22.
  22. ^ "映画の中の戦車" [Tanks in movies. 2002-Star]. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02.
  23. ^ "映画の中の戦車" [Tanks in movies. 2004-Der Untergang]. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02.
  24. ^ "Film Panzer" Archived 2008-03-07 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ War Thunder - Unforgoten: T-44 Restoration Project (Part 1/4) on YouTube
  26. ^ War Thunder - Unforgoten: T-44 Restoration Project (Part 3/4) on YouTube
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Surviving Panzers". the.shadock.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  28. ^ "Samarqand Steel: Uzbekistan's Fighting Vehicles". Oryx. Retrieved 29 December 2023.

General sources

[edit]
  • Zaloga, Steven J.; James Grandsen (1984). Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of World War Two. London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 0-85368-606-8.
  • Zaloga, Steven J.; Hugh Johnson (2004). T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944–2004. Botley, Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-792-1.
[edit]
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T-44

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The T-44 was a Soviet medium tank developed and produced toward the end of World War II as a direct successor to the T-34, incorporating wartime lessons to enhance protection, firepower, and mechanical reliability while maintaining a similar weight class of approximately 32 tons. Designed by Alexander Morozov at Factory No. 183 in Nizhny Tagil, the T-44 featured a new hull with sloped armor up to 120 mm thick on the turret front, a torsion bar suspension for better ride quality, and a transverse-mounted V-44 12-cylinder diesel engine producing 520 horsepower, enabling a top road speed of 53 km/h and a range of about 350 km. Armed with an 85 mm ZiS-S-53 main gun and two 7.62 mm DT machine guns, it represented a transitional design that influenced post-war Soviet armor, though production was limited to 1,823 units between 1944 and 1947 due to the rapid shift to the T-54. Development of the T-44 began in early 1943 under the codename Object 136, driven by the need to address the T-34's limitations in crew ergonomics, engine reliability, and armor penetration resistance against emerging German threats like the Panther tank. The initial prototype underwent trials in 1944, leading to its official acceptance into Red Army service on November 23, 1944, after refinements including a redesigned five-road-wheel suspension to replace the T-34's Christie system. Unlike its predecessor, the T-44's engine was placed perpendicular to the hull axis, freeing space for improved ammunition storage (58 rounds for the main gun) and a more spacious fighting compartment for its four-man crew, though early production models faced teething issues with the V-44 powerplant's reliability. Although introduced too late for significant combat in World War II, the T-44 was allocated to three guards tank brigades for training in September 1944, where crews familiarized themselves with its advanced features before the war's end. Post-war, it saw limited operational deployment in Soviet forces during the early Cold War, primarily for testing and reserve roles, and served as the basis for experimental variants like the T-44-100 with a 100 mm gun and later modernizations such as the T-44M in the 1960s. Its design innovations, including the torsion bar setup and layout, directly paved the way for the T-54/55 series, which became the backbone of Soviet armored forces for decades.

Development

Design origins

The T-44 medium tank originated from Soviet efforts to modernize the T-34 series during the final stages of World War II, led by chief designer Alexander A. Morozov at the Design Bureau of Factory No. 183 (Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau, relocated to the Urals during the war). In late 1943, as the T-34-85 entered production, Morozov's team sought to address limitations in armor protection, crew ergonomics, and overall layout while maintaining the T-34's proven mobility and simplicity. The design was influenced by wartime experiences against German Panther and Tiger tanks, emphasizing sloped armor and a more compact hull to improve frontal protection without excessive weight gain. Development formally began in autumn 1943, with Morozov presenting the overall design and a wooden model of the tank, initially designated Object 136, to People's Commissar of Tank Industry Vyacheslav Malyshev in November 1943. This proposal built directly on the T-43 project—a heavier derivative of the T-34-85 with enhanced armament—but diverged by adopting a transverse engine mounting to free up internal space, allowing for thicker frontal armor and a five-man crew layout similar to the T-34-85. Key inheritances from the T-34 included the Christie suspension system and a 5-speed gearbox, ensuring compatibility with existing production techniques while introducing innovations like a rear drive sprocket and pilot's hatch inspired by the German Panther for better visibility and escape. Skepticism from Soviet leadership initially arose due to the ambitious V-12 engine integration, but the design's potential to bridge the gap to postwar tanks like the T-54 justified its pursuit. By January-February 1944, three prototypes were constructed at the Uralvagonzavod factory in Nizhny Tagil, incorporating the V-2IS engine variant for 500 horsepower output. Trials commenced in August 1944, covering over 2,000 km, which validated the design's reliability and led to the State Defense Committee's (GKO) approval via decree #6209s on July 18, 1944, designating the T-44 as the T-34's successor for limited production starting in November 1944 at Factory No. 75 in Kharkiv. This rapid progression from concept to prototype reflected the urgency to prepare for potential postwar conflicts, though full-scale adoption was tempered to avoid disrupting T-34 output.

Prototype development

Development of the T-44 prototypes commenced in the autumn of 1943 at Zavod Nr. 183 (also known as the Ural Tank Factory) in Nizhny Tagil, under the direction of chief designer Alexander A. Morozov. This effort was part of a broader Soviet initiative to create a medium tank that addressed limitations in the T-34 and T-43 designs, emphasizing enhanced mobility, sloped armor for better protection, and a Christie-type suspension system while keeping weight under 32 tons. The project advanced with official orders from the People's Commissariat of Tank Industry in November 1943, with requirements specifying a maximum speed of 60 km/h, operational range of 250 km, and armament centered on an 85 mm gun. The initial design phase culminated in November 1943 when Morozov submitted detailed blueprints and a wooden mockup designated Object 136, which incorporated a Christie-type suspension with five large road wheels per side and a rear-mounted drive sprocket to lower the hull silhouette. Construction of the first prototype began immediately thereafter, with the vehicle completed by late January 1944. This T-44-85 prototype featured the V-2IS diesel engine producing 500 horsepower, a five-speed gearbox, and the 85 mm ZiS-S-53 gun (an adaptation of the D-5T), along with 75 mm sloped frontal armor. Two more prototypes followed in February 1944: the second retained the 85 mm armament, while the third experimentally mounted a 100 mm D-10 gun to assess heavier firepower options, carrying 28 rounds. Spring 1944 trials of these first-generation prototypes, conducted at the Chelyabinsk proving grounds, highlighted reliability issues in the transmission—particularly clutch slippage under load—and suspension components, as well as overheating in the engine compartment during extended maneuvers. These tests covered over 1,000 km per vehicle, achieving speeds up to 52 km/h but revealing a need for refined final drives and improved cooling. A second generation of prototypes incorporated fixes, including a strengthened gearbox and wider tracks (550 mm), and underwent evaluation at Kubinka in summer 1944, where they demonstrated superior cross-country performance compared to the T-34-85. The third generation, built in late 1944 at the Kharkov Locomotive Factory (after relocation), featured an enlarged 1,800 mm turret ring and refined hull welding, paving the way for production approval on 23 November 1944. Only 12 pre-production units were assembled by year's end to validate these iterations.

Testing and refinements

The development of the T-44 began with three prototypes ordered on November 22, 1943, from Factory No. 183, with the first ready by late January 1944. Factory trials for the initial prototypes ran from January to February 1944, covering 590 km on the first vehicle, during which it was compared directly to a production T-34-85; the T-44 demonstrated superior mobility with average speeds of 21.8-24.4 km/h versus the T-34's 20-23 km/h, better fuel efficiency at 220-227 L/100 km compared to 230-332 L/100 km, and a lighter combat weight of 30,400 kg against the T-34's 31,400 kg. Steering effort was also reduced to 13-16 kg from the T-34's 20-24 kg, improving crew ergonomics. Scientific Research Institute of Tank and Mechanized Troops (NIBT) trials followed from February 19 to March 3, 1944, accumulating 1,022 km on the lead prototype, 231 km on the second, and 2,340 km on the third, alongside evaluations against a captured German Panther tank. Key issues identified included overheating in the oil system reaching 110°C, vulnerability of the driver's cabin to penetration during ballistic tests, excessive wear on the final drive clutch and gear train, and limited off-road traction with a maximum climb of 25° even with grousers. These trials highlighted the innovative Christie suspension's potential but revealed reliability gaps in the transmission and cooling systems. Refinements to address these flaws led to the second variant, completed in spring 1944, which incorporated a redesigned hull with sloped lower front plate armor increased to 90 mm (from planned 85 mm) and sides to 75 mm (from 70 mm), along with a raised driver's compartment inspired by the Panther for better visibility. However, this version failed NIBT armor protection trials due to insufficient overall thickness and vulnerability to contemporary threats, though it was conditionally accepted pending further work. Mechanical testing showed persistent overheating and suspension wear, prompting additional iterations on the V-2IS engine and Christie setup. The third variant, designated T-44A and completed by July 13, 1944, integrated the more powerful V-44 12-cylinder diesel engine producing 520 hp, revised torsion bar suspension for better ride quality and space efficiency, and enhanced armor layout, reducing the overall height by 300 mm compared to the T-34-85 for improved silhouette. NIBT mobility trials commenced on August 18, 1944, at the Nizhny Tagil proving grounds (despite requests for Kubinka), building on 376 km of prior factory runs; by September 9, the prototype had logged an additional 1,033 km, reaching a total of 2,006 km with average speeds of 25.5 km/h on dirt roads and 36.6 km/h on cobblestone. Despite 30 defects noted, including oil leaks, elevated cooling fan temperatures up to critical levels, worn road wheel tires, and final drive failures, the vehicle met production criteria for speed and maneuverability. Further refinements were mandated by NKTP Order No. 573s on September 23, 1944, requiring 20 specific improvements, such as redesigning the driver's station for better protection, reinforcing suspension arms, and optimizing the turret ring for the 85 mm ZiS-S-53 gun, which was selected over 100 mm and 122 mm alternatives after comparative firing trials in 1944. Extended endurance testing from October 1944 to February 1945, followed by additional runs in March and April 1945, confirmed reliability gains, with the T-44A achieving over 2,000 km without major breakdowns. These efforts culminated in State Defense Committee Order No. 6997ss on November 23, 1944, approving the T-44 for serial production at Factory No. 75 in Kharkiv, marking it as a transitional design toward the T-54 with its sloped armor and mechanical innovations.

Design and specifications

Hull and suspension

The hull of the T-44 medium tank was constructed using welded rolled homogeneous armor steel plates, providing a rigid structure designed to minimize vibrations and maintain stability during cross-country travel. Unlike the Christie-suspended T-34, the T-44's hull incorporated a low-profile layout with a stepped front glacis for enhanced ballistic protection; the upper glacis plate measured 90 mm thick at a 60° angle from vertical, while the lower glacis was 75 mm thick at 45°. Side armor consisted of 75 mm vertical plates, the rear was 50 mm thick, the roof 30 mm, and the belly 15-20 mm, offering superior resistance to contemporary anti-tank threats compared to its predecessor without significantly increasing overall weight. A notable feature was the inclusion of a floor escape hatch for the crew, improving survivability in emergencies. The suspension system represented a key advancement in the T-44's design, adopting an individual torsion bar setup—the first such implementation in a mass-produced Soviet medium tank—which replaced the leaf-spring Christie system of earlier models for smoother operation and better terrain adaptability. Each side featured five large spoked road wheels, approximately 660 mm in diameter, equipped with internal hydraulic dampers to absorb shocks and reduce crew fatigue. Tracks were 500 mm wide, directly adapted from the T-34 for production efficiency, with a pin-gear drive sprocket at the rear and an idler at the front. This configuration achieved a ground clearance of at least 450 mm, enabling the 32-ton vehicle to navigate rough terrain effectively while maintaining speeds up to 50 km/h on roads. Trials confirmed the system's reliability, though early prototypes experienced minor issues with bar durability that were addressed in production models.

Turret and armament

The T-44's turret was a three-man cast steel design, substantially larger than that of the T-34-85 despite visual similarities, providing improved internal space for the commander, gunner, and loader while maintaining a low silhouette. The turret featured an oval shape with a prominent ammunition feed niche in the rear bustle to facilitate reloading, and it was traversed manually or via an electric mechanism for targeting. The primary armament consisted of an 85 mm ZiS-S-53 high-velocity rifled gun, derived from the D-5T series and capable of firing armor-piercing, high-explosive, and subcaliber rounds effective against contemporary German tanks at ranges up to 1,000 meters. This gun was complemented by a coaxial 7.62 mm DT machine gun for anti-infantry fire, while a second 7.62 mm DT was mounted in the hull front, operated by the driver. Ammunition storage included 58 rounds for the main gun, primarily in the turret bustle and hull racks. Turret armor protection varied by production series but typically included 90 mm on the front (including the mantlet), 75 mm on the sides, and 45 mm on the rear, with a 30 mm roof offering overhead defense against shrapnel and low-angle fire. Later prototypes and experimental variants, such as the T-44-100, tested upgraded turrets with thicker armor up to 115 mm on the front and alternative armaments like the 100 mm D-10T gun to counter emerging threats, though these did not enter mass production.

Engine and mobility

The T-44 medium tank was powered by the V-44 diesel engine, a 12-cylinder, liquid-cooled unit displacing 38.88 liters and producing 520 horsepower at 1,800 rpm. This engine, derived from the V-2 series used in earlier Soviet tanks but redesigned for higher output and reliability, featured a supercharger for improved performance at altitude and was paired with a five-speed planetary transmission that allowed for smoother gear shifts and better control compared to the T-34's manual gearbox. The transmission's planetary design reduced driver workload and contributed to the tank's operational efficiency, with fuel capacity totaling around 600 liters across internal and external tanks. Mobility was a core design priority for the T-44, aiming to match or exceed the T-34's agility while incorporating advancements for rough terrain. The tank utilized a torsion bar suspension system with five independently sprung road wheels per side, a significant upgrade from the T-34's leaf-spring Christie suspension, which lowered the hull profile by about 35 cm and improved ride quality over uneven ground. This setup, combined with 500 mm-wide tracks, provided a ground pressure of approximately 0.72 kg/cm² and enabled the 32-ton vehicle to climb slopes up to 42 degrees, ford water obstacles up to 1.3 meters deep, and achieve a power-to-weight ratio of about 16.25 hp/ton. On roads, the T-44 reached a top speed of 51-53 km/h, with operational range extending to 300 km on internal fuel alone, extendable to 400 km with external tanks. Off-road performance was enhanced by the engine's torque characteristics and the suspension's damping, allowing sustained speeds of 25-30 km/h across fields or forests, though early prototypes faced issues with track shedding that were resolved in production models through reinforced components. Overall, these features made the T-44 highly maneuverable for its class, influencing subsequent Soviet tank designs like the T-54.

Armor and protection

The T-44 medium tank's armor scheme represented a significant evolution from the T-34, emphasizing sloped homogeneous rolled steel plates to maximize protection while maintaining a combat weight of approximately 32 tons. The upper glacis plate of the hull measured 90 mm thick, inclined at 60 degrees from vertical, providing an effective thickness of around 180 mm against kinetic penetrators due to the angle. The lower glacis was similarly 75 mm thick but sloped at 45 degrees, while the hull sides consisted of 75 mm vertical plates. The hull roof and floor were 30 mm and 15-20 mm thick, respectively, offering basic overhead and underbody protection against artillery fragments and mines. This configuration utilized welded construction for structural integrity, drawing on wartime advancements in Soviet steel production. The turret, cast from homogeneous steel, featured a rounded front face with 90 mm thickness at an average 30-degree slope, achieving effective protection comparable to 120 mm or more against standard anti-tank rounds. The turret sides and rear were 75 mm thick, with a 30 mm roof for top cover. The gun mantlet added 60 mm of additional armor, though it formed a potential weak point if targeted precisely. Overall, the T-44's armor prioritized frontal defense, reflecting Soviet doctrinal emphasis on offensive maneuvers where tanks advanced under infantry support. Testing in 1944 demonstrated that the upper front plate resisted penetration from the Soviet 85 mm D-5 gun and the German 88 mm Pak 43 even at point-blank range of 100 meters, underscoring its resilience against contemporary threats like the Panther's 75 mm KwK 42 or Tiger's 88 mm KwK 36 from typical combat distances. Protection was further enhanced by the tank's low silhouette—only 2.4 meters tall—reducing the target's profile and aiding concealment. However, vulnerabilities persisted on the sides and rear, where 75 mm plating could be breached by 75 mm guns beyond 500 meters, and the overall scheme lacked advanced features like composite layers or reactive elements available in later designs. The T-44's armor thus provided balanced, cost-effective defense suitable for medium tank roles, influencing subsequent Soviet vehicles like the T-54.

Production

Manufacturing process

The T-44 tank's manufacturing was centered at Factory No. 75 in Kharkov, which served as the primary production facility following the restoration and modernization of its metallurgical shops and equipment after wartime disruptions. Prototypes were developed at Plant No. 183 "Komintern" in Nizhny Tagil. Serial production commenced in October 1944, with the first units completed by late November of that year, though initial volumes remained low due to the need to adapt assembly lines from T-34 production. The process emphasized efficiency in a wartime context, leveraging existing Soviet industrial techniques for armor fabrication and vehicle integration. The hull was fabricated by welding rolled homogeneous armor plates, typically composed of MZ-2 or I8-S steel, to form a sloped structure compatible with torsion bar suspension that improved upon the T-34's design while maintaining compatibility with standardized components. Turrets were predominantly produced via casting for the main series, allowing for complex shapes and internal space optimization, though early prototypes experimented with welded turret assemblies to test structural integrity. Engine installation involved mounting the V-44 diesel transversely, a novel approach that shortened the hull but complicated assembly, requiring precise alignment of the powerpack and transmission during final integration on the production floor. Armament, including the 85 mm ZiS-S-53 gun, was fitted post-hull completion, with final quality checks focusing on weld seams and mobility systems to ensure reliability under field conditions. Overall production totaled 1,823 units from 1944 to 1947, with 25 tanks completed in 1944, rising to 965 by the end of 1945, 440 in 1946, and 25 in 1947 before shifting to the T-54. Challenges included the engine's transverse orientation, which met initial resistance for its perceived complexity and demanded extensive retooling, as well as harsh environmental factors like winter conditions that delayed early prototyping and infrastructure setup at relocated or rebuilt factories. Despite these hurdles, the process incorporated streamlined welding and casting methods refined from T-34 output, enabling modest scaling without major disruptions to broader Soviet tank production priorities.

Output and timeline

Production of the T-44 medium tank began at Factory No. 75 in Kharkov, Ukraine, in late 1944, following the approval of the design by the Soviet State Defense Committee on August 29, 1944. The initial batch was limited due to wartime resource constraints and the prioritization of T-34 production; only 25 T-44 tanks were completed by the end of 1944, falling short of the planned quota of 300 units. In 1945, as the war in Europe concluded, output ramped up significantly with the introduction of the improved T-44A variant, which featured a torsion bar suspension replacing the Christie system used in prototypes. A total of 940 T-44A tanks were manufactured that year, bringing wartime production to approximately 965 units by the end of 1945. Postwar production continued into 1946 and 1947, focusing on the T-44A model to bolster Soviet armored forces amid the transition to new designs like the T-54. An additional 858 units were built during this period, resulting in a grand total of 1,823 T-44 tanks produced before manufacturing ceased in 1947. This relatively modest output reflected the T-44's role as a transitional vehicle, overshadowed by the more numerous T-34, which accounted for the majority of Soviet medium tank production through 1950.

Challenges and modifications

The production of the T-44 was constrained by the Soviet Union's prioritization of the T-34-85's mass output, leading to the T-44 being manufactured at a secondary facility, Factory No. 183 in Nizhny Tagil, for prototypes to avoid disrupting established lines. This approach limited early production to around 190 units by the end of World War II in May 1945. Following the war, production continued at Factory No. 75 in Kharkov, where output persisted until 1947, reaching a total of 1,823 vehicles, though volumes remained modest compared to the T-34 series due to the reduced wartime demand and the rapid development of its successor, the T-54. Key challenges included mechanical reliability issues with the Christie suspension system in early prototypes, which caused excessive wear and poor ride quality over rough terrain, as well as transmission problems that affected mobility during trials. These teething issues delayed full-rate production and necessitated design adjustments. The production T-44A variant, introduced in 1944, replaced the leaf-spring Christie suspension with torsion bars for better stability and speed retention, while also incorporating minor hull reinforcements for improved durability. Armament modifications were explored, such as adapting the 100 mm D-10 gun, but the cramped turret limited feasibility, resulting in retention of the 85 mm ZiS-S-53 as standard; larger 122 mm attempts were abandoned in favor of T-54 integration. Post-war upgrades focused on engine enhancements, including the V-44 diesel for better fuel efficiency, though these were overshadowed by the T-54's superior features. Overall, these modifications refined the T-44 but could not overcome the strategic shift toward next-generation designs, confining its role to limited series production.

Operational history

World War II introduction

The T-44 medium tank, developed by the Kharkov Design Bureau under A.A. Morozov, represented a significant evolution in Soviet armored vehicle design, incorporating lessons from wartime experience with the T-34 series. It featured a redesigned hull with Christie suspension upgraded to torsion bars, a transverse-mounted V-2 diesel engine for improved internal layout, and the same 85 mm ZiS-S-53 gun as the T-34-85. Accepted into Red Army service on 23 November 1944, the T-44 was intended to provide enhanced protection and mobility without sacrificing the T-34's proven reliability. Production commenced in August 1944 at Factory No. 183 in Nizhny Tagil, with the first prototypes delivered in September, but initial output was limited to a trial series due to teething issues, particularly with the new eight-speed transmission. Despite its timely introduction toward the war's end, the T-44 did not participate in any combat operations on the Eastern Front against Nazi Germany. By the end of the war in May 1945, approximately 250 units had been completed, far short of requirements for frontline deployment, as the Soviet military prioritized mass production of the battle-tested T-34-85. Reliability concerns, including frequent transmission failures during testing, prevented the tank from being committed to the final offensives in Europe. Instead, the initial batch was allocated primarily for crew training and evaluation, with examples issued to three independent tank brigades in September 1944 to familiarize personnel with its handling and maintenance. A small number of T-44s underwent non-combat field trials on the Eastern Front to assess performance under operational conditions, but these were limited to logistical and mobility tests rather than engagement with enemy forces. The majority of early production vehicles were redirected to the Far East, where they were held in reserve for a potential invasion of Japanese-held Manchuria; however, the Soviet declaration of war on Japan in August 1945 and the rapid conclusion of hostilities there meant these tanks saw no action. Overall, the T-44's World War II role was confined to preparing the Soviet armored forces for post-war modernization, serving as a bridge to future designs like the T-54.

Post-war deployment

Following the end of World War II, production of the T-44 medium tank continued at Factory No. 75 in Kharkov, reaching a total of 1,823 tanks by 1947. These vehicles were primarily allocated to training establishments, such as the Kharkov Guards Tank School and the Stalingrad Tank School, where they served as combat-training platforms due to initial reliability issues with the V-44 engine and transmission. In operational service, the T-44 equipped select Soviet mechanized formations during the early Cold War period. It was deployed with the 5th Guards Mechanized Army, where it remained in use until the mid-1950s, and with the 8th Mechanized Army, which retained the type longer for both training and potential combat roles. Some T-44s were stationed with Soviet forces in East Germany and later converted to fixed emplacements along the Chinese border in the 1960s. The tank's innovative transverse engine layout and sloped armor influenced subsequent Soviet designs like the T-54, but its limited production and teething problems prevented widespread adoption over the more proven T-34-85. The T-44 saw its only confirmed combat deployment during Operation Whirlwind, the Soviet suppression of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Elements of the 8th Mechanized Army, including unmodernized T-44s, entered Budapest in November 1956 to restore control, marking the type's sole post-war combat action amid urban fighting against Hungarian insurgents. No significant losses or performance details from this engagement were publicly documented, reflecting the tank's secretive status within the Soviet military. To extend service life, surviving T-44s underwent modernization in the late 1950s, resulting in the T-44M variant, which incorporated components from the T-54 series, such as improved optics and fire control systems. These upgrades allowed limited continued use into the 1960s, primarily in reserve and training capacities, before the type was fully phased out in favor of more advanced medium tanks. The T-44 was never exported to Warsaw Pact allies or other nations, maintaining its role exclusively within Soviet forces under a veil of classification.

Combat and training roles

The T-44 medium tank entered service with the Red Army on November 23, 1944, but saw no combat during World War II due to its late introduction and the need for extensive crew familiarization. Although production began in October 1944 and approximately 200-300 units were completed by the war's end, logistical constraints and the established reliability of the T-34-85 prevented frontline deployment. In preparation for potential wartime use, three independent tank brigades were formed on September 15, 1944, specifically for training exercises to evaluate the T-44's handling and operational characteristics, with tanks issued following the start of production. These brigades conducted maneuvers with the new tank, focusing on mobility, gunnery, and maintenance procedures, but the units were quickly re-equipped with T-34-85s as the Soviet advance accelerated and time for T-44 crew training proved insufficient. Photographs from 1945 document T-44s in use by unidentified Soviet training units, highlighting their role in post-war doctrinal development. Following the war, the T-44 continued in non-combat roles within the Soviet Army, serving primarily as a training vehicle and in reserve formations until the mid-1950s. With full production reaching 1,823 units by 1947, the tank supported crew instruction for transitioning to more advanced designs like the T-54, emphasizing its transverse engine layout and improved suspension in educational contexts. Unsuccessful modernization efforts, such as installing the V-54 engine, further limited its frontline potential, confining it to second-line duties amid the rapid evolution of Soviet armored forces.

Variants

Production variants

The primary production variant of the T-44 was the T-44A, which entered service with the Red Army on November 23, 1944, after successful trials of the initial prototypes. This model featured the 85 mm ZiS-S-53 main gun, a redesigned commander's cupola for improved visibility, and a V-44 diesel engine producing 520 horsepower, enabling a top speed of 53 km/h and a combat weight of 32 tonnes. Production commenced at Factory No. 75 in Kharkov in late 1944, with approximately 965 units built through the end of 1945. The T-44A incorporated sloped frontal armor up to 120 mm effective thickness and a torsion bar suspension for better cross-country performance compared to the T-34's Christie system, though it retained a similar three-man turret layout. In 1946, production shifted to the refined T-44 model, incorporating minor improvements such as enhanced transmission reliability and standardized components, resulting in 858 units manufactured that year. By 1947, as the T-54 entered production, T-44 output ceased, with a total of 1,823 vehicles completed across all wartime and immediate postwar series—far fewer than the T-34 due to the focus on wartime priorities and the rapid transition to the next-generation design. These tanks were not deployed in World War II combat but served in training and reserve roles postwar. Postwar modernization efforts produced the T-44M variant starting in 1961, upgrading existing T-44A hulls with T-54-compatible parts, including a new gearbox, additional 150 liters of fuel for extended range, night vision equipment, and three extra ammunition rounds for the main gun, increasing operational endurance without major redesign. Approximately 200 T-44s were converted to this standard, extending their service life into the 1970s for training purposes. A command variant, the T-44MK, was also developed based on the T-44M, featuring enhanced radio equipment but reduced main gun ammunition by 15 rounds. Further refinements in 1966 introduced the T-44S, which added the STP-1 "Cyclone" two-plane gun stabilizer to select T-44A and T-44M vehicles for improved firing accuracy on the move. In 1965, some T-44s were converted into BTS-4A armored recovery vehicles, removing the turret and adding a crane and hoist for maintenance roles. These upgrades emphasized compatibility with emerging Soviet tank doctrine rather than radical changes, reflecting the T-44's transitional role between wartime and Cold War designs.

Experimental models

Further experimentation included a T-44 variant tested with a 100 mm D-10 gun in a composite turret (115 mm front, 90 mm sides), often misidentified as the T-44V, to assess intermediate-caliber performance between the 85 mm and 122 mm options. Two prototypes of this T-44-100 were built in 1944-1945, influencing the later T-54 design. Postwar efforts produced the T-44MS modernization prototypes in 1964-1965 at Factory No. 75, aiming to extend the tank's service life with a V-54-6 diesel engine (520 hp), reinforced suspension, and a two-plane stabilizer for the 85 mm gun; only two units were built, featuring improved night vision and NBC protection but rejected due to high costs and obsolescence relative to T-54/55 series.

Preservation

Surviving vehicles

Several T-44 tanks and components survive today, primarily in museums and private collections in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, reflecting the limited production run of approximately 1,800 units during and after World War II. These preserved examples provide valuable insights into the tank's design evolution, from early models to upgraded variants like the T-44M. Most are non-operational displays, though some have undergone restoration efforts, with approximately 20 known surviving examples (tanks and major components) worldwide. One notable example is a T-44M variant at the Kubinka Tank Museum near Moscow, Russia. This vehicle, used for trials prior to mass production, was restored to operational condition in 2015 through a collaboration between the museum and Gaijin Entertainment, including interior refitting and engine overhaul; it had been in storage for over 50 years prior. At the Vadim Zadorozhny Technical Museum in Arkhangelskoye, Moscow Oblast, Russia, an early T-44 produced in April 1945 is on display. Originally rebuilt as a T-44M and later converted to a prime mover with T-54 tracks and a T-34-85 turret, it represents post-war adaptation efforts. The Stalin Line Historical and Cultural Complex in Zaslavl, Belarus, houses an early production T-44 in running condition, available for visitor rides alongside other Soviet tanks like the T-34. This example highlights the tank's reliability and is part of the site's focus on World War II fortifications and vehicles. A T-44M is also present. A T-44 is exhibited outdoors at the UMMC Museum Complex in Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, within its extensive collection of Soviet military hardware. This specimen underscores the tank's role in post-war armored development. The State Military Technical Museum in Ivanovo, Moscow Oblast, Russia, preserves two T-44 turrets, likely from scrapped hulls, used for training or display purposes. These components illustrate the tank's advanced turret design with torsion bar suspension integration. Notable additional survivors include four running T-44s at the Mosfilm Depot in Moscow, Russia, modified for use as German tanks in films, and several T-44 turrets preserved in Ukraine at sites such as Lemeshiv and Glusk.

Museum exhibits and restorations

Several T-44 tanks are preserved in museums across Belarus and Russia, serving as key exhibits that illustrate the transitional design between the T-34 and post-war Soviet medium tanks. These vehicles, primarily T-44 and T-44M variants, highlight the tank's limited production run and its role in Soviet armored development during the final stages of World War II. In Belarus, a T-44M is displayed at the Brest Fortress Museum, where it stands as a monument to Soviet military heritage near the site of early war defenses. Another T-44M and a standard T-44 are exhibited at the Stalin Line Historic-Defensive Park in Zaslavl', both maintained in running condition to demonstrate operational capabilities during educational events. Russian collections feature prominent examples, including a T-44M at Victory Park in Moscow, which contextualizes the tank within the broader narrative of the Great Patriotic War. The Central Museum of Armored and Mechanized Equipment in Kubinka houses a restored T-44M, while the Vadim Zadorozhny Technical Museum in Arhangelskoe displays a rebuilt T-44 assembled from mixed components, emphasizing preservation challenges for rare prototypes. Restoration efforts have focused on returning these vehicles to exhibit-ready condition, with the most notable project occurring at Kubinka. In 2014, the museum collaborated with external experts to revive a T-44 that had languished in storage for over 50 years in poor condition; the work, completed in six months by February 2015, fully renovated the hull, engine, and interior to recreate its 1940s appearance, including period markings. The restored tank now participates in parades and live demonstrations, enhancing visitor engagement with Soviet tank evolution. Other preserved T-44s, such as those at Zaslavl', have undergone maintenance to achieve running status, allowing for dynamic displays that showcase the tank's torsion bar suspension and V-44 engine performance, though detailed restoration histories for these remain less documented. These exhibits collectively underscore the T-44's scarcity, with approximately 20 confirmed survivors worldwide.

Operators

Soviet Union

The T-44 medium tank entered service with the Red Army on 23 November 1944, following its acceptance into production earlier that year. Initial deployment focused on training, with the first units assigned to the 6th Guards Tank Brigade, 33rd Guards Tank Brigade, and 63rd Guards Tank Brigade starting in September 1944 for crew familiarization and tactical exercises. Production began at Factory No. 75 in Kharkov in October 1944, yielding 25 tanks by year's end and 940 in 1945, for a total of 1,823 units completed by 1947 when output ceased in favor of the T-54. Despite the timing, the T-44 saw no combat on the Eastern Front during World War II, as wartime priorities favored mass production of the more established T-34-85. Approximately 600 T-44s were stationed in the Soviet Far East Military District toward the war's close, serving in a reserve capacity during the final operations against Japan but without engaging in battle. Post-war, the T-44 filled secondary roles in the Soviet Ground Forces during the early Cold War. Its most notable combat involvement came during Operation Whirlwind, the Soviet intervention in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, where T-44s from units such as the 8th Mechanized Army supported the suppression of the uprising in Budapest. In the 1960s, surviving T-44s underwent modernization to extend their utility amid the transition to newer designs like the T-54/55 and T-62. The T-44M upgrade in 1961 incorporated a T-54 gearbox, additional fuel capacity, and night vision equipment, while the 1966 T-44S variant added a two-plane gun stabilizer for improved firing on the move. Some were converted into armored recovery vehicles like the BTS-4A. The T-44 remained in limited second-line service through the 1970s, primarily for training and reserve formations, before full retirement as the Soviet armored forces standardized on more advanced platforms.

Other nations

The T-44 medium tank was not exported by the Soviet Union and saw no operational service with any foreign military forces. Unlike more widely distributed designs such as the T-34, the T-44 remained a closely held asset within Soviet inventories, with production limited to 1,823 units between 1944 and 1947, all allocated to Red Army units. Its deployment was confined to Soviet operations, including limited involvement in post-war exercises and the 1956 intervention in Hungary, where it was employed exclusively by Soviet troops rather than local or allied forces. No records indicate transfers, sales, or licensing to Warsaw Pact allies, neutral states, or other recipients during or after the Cold War.
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