T-60

The 'T-60' designation refers to two related but distinct Soviet light tanks. The first was a simplified version of the T-40 produced between late 1941 and mid 1942 as a stopgap. The second--and what is represented by this unit--was an evolution of the T-40, development of which began in the first days of the German invasion of June 1941. It was also intended as a stopgap to restock significant tank losses while production of the heavier T-34 and KV-1 ramped-up. Based on the T-40 chassis already in production, the T-60 traded its predecessor's amphibious ability for heavier armour.It featured a 20 mm TNSh cannon and 7.62 mm DT machine gun in a small fully-rotating turret. With minimal armor-penetrating power and relatively high speed (28 mph), the Red Army used the type for reconnaissance, scouting, and infantry support. It carried a crew of two and weighed 5.8 tonnes. Soviet industry produced 5,417 examples from 1941 into 1943, and the type served until 1945. Attempts to upgrade the tank's armament with the standard 45mm tank gun on a modified turret began in 1942, an effort that eventually resulted in the up-armored and up-gunned T-70.