T-35
| Company type | Heavy tank |
|---|---|
| Industry | Military vehicles |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Headquarters | Soviet Union |
| Products | Heavy tanks |
Template:Other uses
Template:Infobox weapon
The T-35 was a Soviet heavy tank featuring multiple turrets, developed during the interwar years and deployed in the early stages of the Second World War with limited use by the Red Army. Frequently dubbed a "land battleship," it was unique as the only five-turret heavy tank to enter production worldwide. However, it suffered from slow speeds and frequent mechanical breakdowns. During Operation Barbarossa, most operational T-35s were lost primarily due to mechanical failures rather than combat damage. Designed as a counterpart to the contemporary T-28 medium tank, its production numbers remained minimal.
Although externally imposing, the interior was confined, with compartmentalized fighting sections separated from each other. Some turret placements even obstructed access hatches.
Production history
The T-35 originated from the OKMO design bureau at the Bolshevik Factory, which initiated heavy tank development in 1930. Two distinct teams pursued separate designs. One group, led by German engineer Grotte, focused on a massive 100-ton four-turreted vehicle known as the TG-5, armed with a 107 mm naval cannon and featuring pneumatic servo-controls alongside pneumatic suspension; this project was ultimately discontinued.
During the 1920s and 1930s, several European militaries favored large multi-turreted breakthrough tanks, with designs emerging in Britain, France, and Germany. The second OKMO team, under N. Tsiets, developed a model resembling the British Vickers A1E1 Independent.
By July 1932, a prototype weighing approximately 35 tons and armed with a 76.2 mm cannon was completed. This initial prototype was later modified to include four smaller turrets—two equipped with 37 mm guns and two with machine guns. However, it exhibited significant transmission flaws and was deemed overly complex and costly for mass production, leading to its abandonment in favor of a more straightforward prototype.
The subsequent prototype incorporated a new engine, upgraded gearbox, and enhanced transmission system. A decision was made to standardize turret designs between the T-35 and the triple-turreted medium T-28 tank; notably, the small machine-gun turrets were identical on both models. The main turret housing the 76.2 mm gun closely resembled that of the T-28 but lacked an additional rear-firing machine gun found on the latter.
On August 11, 1933, the T-35 received official approval for production. Manufacturing responsibilities shifted to the Kharkov Locomotive Factory, where two batches of ten units each were completed.
Lessons learned from these prototypes informed improvements in the main production version of the T-35: it featured an eight-wheel suspension system, an enhanced hull design, and replaced the earlier 37 mm guns with more powerful 45-mm weapons. Production began in 1934 and continued until 1939, resulting in a total of 59 vehicles (including those fitted with conical turrets). Incremental enhancements were applied throughout its manufacturing run. Production models had medium turrets resembling those on the BT-5, though without rear overhangs. The final batch of ten tanks introduced new turrets with sloped armor all around, modified side skirts incorporating suspension service hatches, and an updated driver's hatch. Among these, four retained vertical pedestals for their main turrets while six featured sloped pedestals.
Initially, the primary turret mounted a 76.2 mm KT-28 cannon (with a barrel length of 16.5 calibers), also utilized on the Т-28 medium tank. This armament allowed vertical aiming between −7° and +23°. Adjacent to this cannon on its right side was an independently operated ball-mounted 7.62 mm DT machine gun within the main turret. Both weapons could rotate through a full horizontal arc of fire (360°) with separate fire control mechanisms. A spare DT machine gun was stored within a loop mount inside a turret niche. Turret rotation was powered by an electromechanical three-speed drive complemented by an auxiliary hand crank for emergencies. By 1937, an anti-aircraft DT machine gun mounted on a P-40 base was added atop the gunner’s hatch on the main turret.
In 1938, there was a proposal to replace the main turret weapon with an L-10 tank cannon; however, officials from ABTU (the "Auto-Tank Directorate") rejected this upgrade, considering the KT-28’s firepower sufficient against enemy armor while infantry support needs were addressed by two accompanying 45-mm cannons.
Two diagonally positioned two-man turrets—one located at front right and another at rear left when viewed from behind—each housed one 45 mm tank cannon obr.1932 paired coaxially with a 7.62 mm DT machine gun. These cannons were later upgraded to 45 mm Model 20k guns from 1934, which featured semi-automatic breech blocks. Their vertical aiming range spanned from −8° to +23°, while horizontal traverse for the front turret ranged from +19° left of centerline to −184° rearward. The two smaller single-seat turrets each contained one 7.62 mm DT machine gun operated via manual hand rotation.
The main turret along with the two small machine-gun turrets shared significant standardization between Т-35 and Т-28 models. Targeting employed telescopic breech-sight TOP obr.1930 along with periscope sight PT-1 obr.1932. Ammunition capacity included 96 rounds for the 76.2 mm cannon, 226 rounds for each of the 45 mm guns, and approximately 10,080 cartridges for DT machine guns.
The tank’s armor consisted of welded and riveted plates up to 30 mm thick on hull sides and up to 20 mm on turrets initially; by 1936 frontal sloped hull plates and driver’s frontal armor were increased to thicknesses of up to 50 mm. Additional armored side skirts added around 10 mm protection over track areas.
In late 1938, conical turrets featuring frontal armor thickness up to 25 mm were introduced to enhance protection further; frontal hull armor was also increased to as much as 70 mm thickness. Consequently, combat weight rose from initial values around 42.5 tons to approximately 54 tons by this time frame. Ten such upgraded vehicles were produced between October 1938 and end of production period—with two including rear-mounted DT machine guns in storage compartments of their conical turrets for defensive purposes while others had plain rear plates.
Debate exists among Western and Russian historians regarding inspiration behind T-35’s design: Western sources often claim influence derived from British Vickers A1E1 Independent tanks—a view contested by many Russian experts who dispute this connection despite evidence such as failed Soviet attempts to acquire A1E1 units abroad. Additionally, German engineers working at Soviet Kama facilities during late 1920s developed similar multi-turret concepts which may have contributed ideas as well. Overall, interwar military development commonly involved cross-national technology exchange: Red Army procurement included British Vickers Carden Loyd tankette, Vickers E-Light and Cruiser Mk II Medium tanks plus American-derived Christie suspension technology integrated into domestic vehicles.
Due to substantial production costs associated with this complex design, only sixty-one units—including two prototypes—were manufactured before termination of series.
Crew composition for prototypes consisted of nine personnel: commander plus gunner and loader in main turret (76 mm), two gunners operating each pair of smaller (37 mm) turrets, two gunners in machine-gun turrets, driver plus assistant driver/mechanic—additionally supported by two mechanics assigned per vehicle but not engaged in combat—bringing total crew count officially to eleven persons per prototype vehicle.
Production models reduced crew size slightly to ten: commander along with gunner/loader for main turret (76 mm), two gunners/loaders managing twin smaller (45 mm) turrets, two gunners operating machine-gun turrets plus driver—still accompanied by two attached mechanics not directly involved in battle operations—resulting in total personnel complement of twelve individuals per unit during service deployment.
Combat history
From 1935 until 1940, the T-35 was assigned to the 5th Separate Heavy Tank Brigade based in Moscow, where it mainly participated in parade events. By June 1940, discussions arose regarding the removal of T-35 tanks from frontline duties. Proposed options included converting them into heavy self-propelled artillery or reallocating them to military educational institutions. Ultimately, the decision was made to deploy these tanks in combat operations. The remaining units were consolidated into the 67th and 68th Tank Regiments within the 34th Tank Division, which operated under the 8th Mechanized Corps in the Kiev Special Military District.
The earliest documented combat involvement of the T-35 occurred in late June 1941 during the broader conflict around Lviv, known as the Battle of Brody. Tanks from the 34th Tank Division, including T-35s lagging behind their unit’s leading elements due to limited tactical mobility, engaged advancing German armored forces along an unpaved route between Verba and Ptycha. Photographic evidence taken post-battle reveals seven destroyed Soviet tanks—four of which were T-35s (two suffering catastrophic ammunition detonations)—alongside three German tanks destroyed. Damage to the T-35 wrecks indicates hits from 37 mm cannon fire, and it is likely they were also targeted by German towed 8.8 cm Flak guns deployed against heavily armored Soviet KV tanks active in this area. A Soviet report from that period confirms four T-35 losses on 30 June with a total of 15 crew members killed.
As of 1 June 1941, the Red Army had only 58 T-35 tanks available, with 48 deemed operationally ready. Throughout Operation Barbarossa, most losses suffered by the 67th and 68th Tank Regiments were attributed not to enemy fire but rather to mechanical breakdowns or immobilization, which forced crews to abandon and destroy their vehicles. Transmission failures were the primary cause of these malfunctions; however, in terms of mechanical reliability, the T-35 outperformed both the T-34 and KV models deployed concurrently. The majority of failures stemmed from exceeding routine maintenance intervals, a scarcity of field repair capabilities and workshops, as well as a lack of spare parts support. Some T-35 tanks involved in extended marches, delaying maneuvers, and retreats at the campaign’s outset covered over 500 km on rough terrain before experiencing major mechanical issues.
The final documented deployment of the T-35 occurred during the First Battle of Kharkov. Four tanks undergoing repairs at their original manufacturing facility (later known as Factory No. 183) were restored to operational status, rearmed, and rapidly committed to defend the city. At least one captured T-35 was transported to Germany for examination at the Kummersdorf military testing site. This particular vehicle (serial number 715-62) underwent a thorough inspection revealing inconsistent armor thickness throughout its construction—likely a consequence of substandard quality control at steel production plants. By April 1945, this tank had been stripped of most weaponry and rendered immobile; it was assigned to Panzer Brigade 150 and positioned as a stationary fortification and barricade within the town of Zossen.
Although sometimes reported as having seen action during the Winter War against Finland, Soviet records indicate that no T-35 tanks participated in that conflict. Instead, two other multi-turreted heavy tank prototypes—the T-100 and SMK—were deployed for combat evaluation. Additionally, single-turret KV-1 tanks took part in testing during the Battle of Summa. The SMK was disabled by a Finnish land mine, and all recovery attempts failed due to its immense weight. Finnish wartime photographs capturing this previously unknown vehicle were erroneously identified by German intelligence as T-35C.
Survivors
A single T-35 tank remains operational and is maintained at the Patriot Park near Moscow. This vehicle was among four T-35s utilized for training purposes in Soviet rear areas. Additionally, the Kubinka Tank Museum houses a prototype of the SU-14, a self-propelled artillery piece developed on the T-35 chassis.
In January 2016, the Russian metallurgical firm Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UMMC) announced the construction of a fully functional T-35 replica, recreated from original Soviet blueprints. This reconstructed tank is intended for exhibition at the Museum of Military Equipment of the UMMC.
Variants
- T-35-1: Initial prototype
- T-35-2: Second prototype iteration
- T-35A: Standard production variant
- T-35B: Proposed with upgraded engine; never realized
- SU-14: Self-propelled gun equipped with either a 152 mm cannon or a 203 mm howitzer; two prototypes built
See also
References
- Zaloga, Steven J; Grandsen, James (1984). Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of World War Two. London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 0-85368-606-8.
- Solyankin; M.Pavlov; I.Pavlov; I.Zheltov (2002). Otechestvennye Bronirovannye Mashiny (Homeland Armored Machines) 20th Century, Vol. I, 1905-1941 (1st Edition (Russian) ed.). Moscow: Publishing Center "Eksprint". p. 343. ISBN 5-94038-030-1.
- Pulman, Francis (2017). Fallen Giants: The Combat Debut of the T-35A Tank. Stroud: Fonthill Media. ISBN 978-1-78155-626-9.
External links
- Zvezda TV news footage demonstrating engine startup and the T-35 moving under its own power.
- Extensive Russian photo archive (grayknight.narod.ru)
- U.S. WWII Newsmap, "Russian Armored Vehicles", provided by the UNT Libraries Digital Collections