BT Fast Tank: The Red Army’s Cavalry Tank 1931–45 (New Vanguard #237) (Paperback)
Other Books in Series
This is book number 237 in the New Vanguard series.
- #2: M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982–92 (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
- #3: Sherman Medium Tank 1942–45 (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
- #6: T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974–93 (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
- #7: IS-2 Heavy Tank 1944–73 (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
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- #140: Armored Trains (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
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- #158: T-62 Main Battle Tank 1965–2005 (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
- #170: Spanish Civil War Tanks: The Proving Ground for Blitzkrieg (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
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- #180: Kamikaze: Japanese Special Attack Weapons 1944–45 (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
- #186: US Marine Corps Tanks of World War II (New Vanguard #186) (Paperback): $19.00
- #192: US Amphibious Tanks of World War II (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $17.95
- #199: Tanks of Hitler’s Eastern Allies 1941–45 (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
- #201: M7 Priest 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
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- #209: French Tanks of World War II (1): Infantry and Battle Tanks (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
- #213: French Tanks of World War II (2): Cavalry Tanks and AFVs (New Vanguard) (Paperback): $19.00
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- #318: Tanks in Operation Bagration 1944: The demolition of Army Group Center (New Vanguard #318) (Paperback): $20.00
- #323: Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1975–90: The ultimate generation of Cold War heavy armor (New Vanguard #323) (Paperback): $20.00
- #325: German Field Artillery of World War II (New Vanguard #325) (Paperback): $20.00
Description
When the Red Army needed to mechanize its cavalry branch in the 1930s, the BT fast tank was its solution. Channeling the American Christie high-speed tank, the Red Army began a program to adapt the design to its own needs. Early versions were mechanically unreliable and poorly armed, but by the mid-1930s, the BT-5 emerged, armed with an excellent dual-purpose 45mm gun. It saw its combat debut in the Spanish Civil War in 1937 and was later used in the border battles with the Japanese Kwantung Army in the late 1930s. The final production series, the BT-7, was the most refined version of the family.
One of the most common types in Red Army service at the beginning of the Second World War, BT tanks saw extensive combat in Poland, Finland, the opening phases of Operation Barbarossa in 1941, and the 1945 campaign against the Japanese in Manchuria. This is the story of their design and development history.
About the Author
Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in History from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for four decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and history, including NVG 294 Allied Tanks in Normandy 1944 and NVG 283 American Guided Missiles of World War II. He currently lives in Maryland, USA.
Henry Morshead is the Chief Designer for the Hill HX50 helicopter. He also works in the automotive and bespoke sectors, with clients including BAC Mono and Arrival, and is a STEM Ambassador with the Bloodhound supersonic car project. A former officer in the Royal Engineers and illustrator for Jane's, he maintains a keen interest in the design and use of military land and air vehicles.
Praise For…
"I found it to be a most interesting read and learned quite a bit about this interesting vehicle. I can assure you that you will like it as well." - Modeling Madness
"Very accessible, lightweight overview of a significant vehicle series. Highly recommended." - AMPS