This article is about the Soviet multi-turreted medium tank. For the experimental U.S. tank, see T-28 Super Heavy Tank.

The T-28 was the Soviet Union's (and the world's) first medium tank. It was produced in 1931 and was intended to break through fortified defensive zones.

Production History

The T-28 had one large turret with a 76.2 mm gun and two smaller turrets with 7.62 mm machineguns. A total of 503 were built over a period of 8 years from 1933-1940.

Variants

• T-28
• T-28A - With thicker armour.
• T-28B - Longer gun. (From 16.5 calibres to 26 calibres)
• T-28C - Improved armour.
• OT-28 - Flamethrower version.

Combat History

The T-28 was used during the Winter War against Finland and against the Japanese in 1939. During the initial stages of the Winter War with Finland, the tank was used in direct fire missions against Finnish pillboxes. In the course of these operations it was found that the armour was inadequate and programs were initiated to upgrade it. Frontal plates were upgraded from 50mm to 80mm and side and rear plates to 40mm thickness. With this uparmoured version the Red Army broke the main Finnish defensive fortification: the vaunted Mannerheim Line. Shortly thereafter, production was halted to focus on the new T-34 medium tank. Most T-28s were lost during the first two months of the German invasion, where they fared poorly against the panzers.

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