T-38

Soviet designers intended the amphibious light tank T-38 as a modernized version of the earlier T-37A, but the type proved to be only a moderate improvement. In service from 1937 into 1943, Factory No. 37 in Moscow produced 1,340 examples of this 3.3-tonne, lightly armored vehicle. It featured a 7.62mm DT-29 machine gun in a rotating turret offset to the left. With a crew of two, it could achieve a maximum land speed of 25 mph. The T-38 retained many design features of the T-37A, including a hand-operated turret, but it had a slightly wider and lower profile than its predecessor, providing an advantage in buoyancy. Like other light tanks of its time, the Soviets used the T-38 for reconnaissance and infantry support roles. As a scout tank the T-38 had the advantages of a very low silhouette and good long-range mobility through its ability to swim. However, the thin armor and single machine gun limited its use in combat, and the lack of a radio in most examples was a serious limitation in reconnaissance. It also struggled carrying any excess cargo across water.