As an infantry tank, the T-28 was deemed relatively slow but well-protected, with quite impressive firepower, distributed among two forward auxiliary turrets, with 220° traverse, each flanking the main cylindrical turret. It was accepted by the Red Army in August 1933. It was preceded by several prototypes (T-12, T-24 and TG), and passed all trials in 1932 with success. Credits unknown, possibly based on factory blueprints.Ĭhief engineer S.Ginsburg, of the Kirov "Bolshevik" Factory in Leningrad, was charged in 1930 to design a Russian prototype based on the British A1E1 concept.
Both, alongside swarms of light T-26s and BTs, would carry the bulk of the Soviet armored might until 1941.Ĭutaway technical drawing of the T28.
The latter, of dubious tactical use, was more useful for propaganda purposes on public display, newsreel footage and the Red Square parades. The idea pleased Stalin enough to order in parallel a heavy model based on the same design, the T-35. As the A1E1 was secret at the time, all available data was provided through Soviet intelligence. Influences were mixed, but clearly the main inspiration was the British A1E1 Independent medium tank design from 1926.Īlthough this prototype gave birth to a mediocre three-unit series of the Medium Mk.III, the multi-turreted tank concept quickly became popular. The T-28 inherited the Soviet interest for British -and especially Vickers- ideas, which started with the licence-built T-23 tankette. Based on a specification, in 1929, for a pure infantry support and breakthrough tank, able to deal with fortified positions and for exploitation by mechanized brigades. However, it was the first truly indigenous Russian design and one of the first medium tanks ever built in the world, at least in a large-scale series. The T-28 is almost a footnote in Soviet tank production compared to its little brother, the T-26. T-28 Medium Tank Medium tank (1932-41) Soviet Union -503 built One of the first medium tanks
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