V72012 SOVIET LIGHT TANK T-40

The first prototypes of the T-40 light amphibious tank were created in 1939, and a year later mass production started, which ended in 1941 with the production of about 700 examples. The T-40 tank was powered by a 70hp GAZ-202 engine. Its main armament was a 20mm SzWAK cannon (placed in a rotating turret) or - in the first short production series - two 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns. The T-40 tank was created as a successor to another light tank of the Red Army - the T-38. During the design and serial production, many components from the T-38 were used. However, the new tank differed from its predecessor in many elements, including: much better ability to overcome water obstacles, better seafaring and, above all, a much more powerful main armament. The T-40 underwent its baptism of fire in the first months of Operation Barbarossa in 1941. However, despite its considerable maneuverability and good driving properties, it suffered high losses due to its use by Soviet armored officers not for reconnaissance and reconnaissance (for which it was designed) but to support attacks by infantry units. Although the T-40 was withdrawn from the front line at the end of 1941, it was used in 1943 and 1944 in the Dniester and Dnieper crossing operations.