T-26

The T-26 Soviet light tank was based on the British 6-Ton Vickers tank.

Production History

The T-26 was produced under license from Vickers-Armstrong Ltd. between 1931 and 1940. Over 12000 were produced.

Variants

• T-26A-1 - First british tanks.
• T-26A(1-5) - Twin turret[?] version.
• T-26TU - Command version with radios.
• OT-26 - Flamethrower variant.
• T-26B-1 - One turret version with 37 mm gun.
• T-26B-2 - Improved cast turret and 45 mm gun.
• OT-130 - Flamethrower variant of B-1 and B-2.
• T-26-S - New semi-conical turret, increased armour.
• OT-133 - Flamethrower variant of T-26-S.
• SU-5-1 - Self propelled gun[?]. 76.2 mm howitzer.
• SU-5-2 - Self propelled gun. 122 mm howitzer.
• SU-5-3 - Self propelled gun. 152.4 mm mortar.

Combat History

First saw action against Japanese forces in the Manchurian border incidents in 1934 and 1935.

During the Spanish civil war republican Spain recieved 362 T-26 which were found superior to the german Panzer I.

The T-26 was also used against Finland during the Winter War, and its armour was found inadequate against the Finnish anti-tank[?] weapons.

See also: List of tanks, List of Soviet tanks.