T-44

T-44

Company type	Medium tank
Industry	Military vehicles
Founded	1943
Founder	A. A. Morozov (chief designer)
Headquarters	Nizhny Tagil , Soviet Union
Products	T-44 medium tank

Overview

The T-44 was a medium tank developed by the Soviet Union toward the closing stages of World War II. It succeeded the T-34, providing enhanced mobility over rough terrain and significantly improved armor protection. Initially designed to mount an 85 mm main cannon, by the time the T-44 completed testing, the T-34 had already been upgraded to this caliber. Both tanks delivered comparable performance, leading Soviet command to prioritize mass production of the T-34 rather than widespread deployment of the T-44. Production of the T-44 totaled fewer than 2,000 units, a stark contrast to the approximately 58,000 T-34s manufactured. Although available before the war ended, the T-44 did not see combat action. It weighed about one ton less than the T-34-85 and boasted a slightly higher top speed.

The design of the T-44 heavily influenced subsequent Soviet medium tanks, most notably the T-54/55 series, through features such as its lower turret and hull profiles. An important variant was the T-44-100, which featured a 100 mm D-10T gun—the same main armament later adopted on the T-54/55 with minor modifications.

Efforts to enhance firepower included fitting a 122 mm cannon; however, this proved problematic due to cramped turret space and a slow firing rate of roughly three rounds per minute. During wartime, development began on a modestly enlarged iteration of the T-44, culminating in a prototype completed in 1945. This updated model entered production in 1947 as the T-54/55 medium tank series, which would become the most extensively produced tank family in history.

Origins

By late 1940, concurrent with the commencement of T-34 production, plans were already underway to enhance the tank's durability and operational efficiency through the integration of advanced technologies. This initiative was known as the T-34M project.

The T-34M incorporated improved armor, a three-man turret with a hexagonal shape, torsion bar suspension replacing the earlier Christie suspension, road wheels equipped with internal shock absorbers, an expanded fuel tank capacity, and an increased ammunition load for the main gun, carrying 100 rounds compared to the standard 77 in the original T-34. Additionally, the positions of the bow machine gun and driver's hatch were reversed on the glacis plate. The suspension system was upgraded to include four return rollers alongside six smaller wheels. The original V-2 12-cylinder diesel engine producing 500 hp (373 kW) was replaced by a new 600 hp 12-cylinder diesel engine. The transmission was updated to an 8-speed gearbox. Notably, this design introduced a transverse engine layout, which reduced the vehicle's overall size compared to the standard T-34 and increased interior space for the crew.

The Zhdanov Metallurgical Factory produced five armor hull sets for the T-34M, which were supplied to Factory No. 183. Nonetheless, early in 1941 development on the T-34M was halted, as production lines were heavily committed to mass-producing the existing T-34 model. Following the outbreak of hostilities with Nazi Germany, incremental enhancements to the current design were deemed more practical.

File:Char T-34.jpg

T-44's predecessor, the T-34-85

The intense combat on the Eastern Front revealed a pressing requirement within the Red Army for a new medium tank. The demand focused on improved protection without significantly increasing weight. In 1942, development began on the T-43 project. This design featured a redesigned turret and a shortened suspension system that decreased clearance between road wheels. However, its emphasis on enhanced armor came at a time when maintaining production volume and boosting firepower were higher priorities. Consequently, the T-43 was cancelled, but its turret design was adapted to mount a larger 85mm D-5T gun and later the ZiS-S-53 gun in an upgraded variant named the T-34-85. This represented the final major upgrade to the T-34 series, as attempts to fit 100mm guns in prototypes like the T-34-100 proved impractical. (Refer to T-34 variants for further information).

First generation

In the fall of 1943, the design team at the Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183 in Nizhny Tagil—situated in the Ural Mountains where much of the Soviet tank production had been relocated following Operation Barbarossa in 1941—began developing a vehicle intended for future enhancements, following a direct directive from Joseph Stalin. The goal was to maintain the exceptional mobility of the T-34 while enhancing its armor protection against contemporary tank weaponry. By November 1943, chief designer A. A. Morozov unveiled the overall concept and a scale model of the tank, which was designated T-44 (Ob'yekt 136). The initial prototype was finalized in January 1944, with two additional units completed by February. The first pair of prototypes were equipped with 85mm D-5T guns and classified as T-44-85, whereas the third prototype featured a 122mm D-25-44T tank gun and was labeled T-44-122. This D-25-44T gun closely resembled the standard D-25 field piece but incorporated specific modifications such as fixed single-piece ammunition to enhance firing rate and a double-baffle muzzle brake. The gun’s penetration capability remains debated, with discrepancies between combat performance and test results; in actual engagements, similar to its predecessor the T-34, it often failed to penetrate expected armor levels due to the propellant used in its shells. What enabled mounting such a powerful armament on a medium tank weighing approximately 30 tonnes was an innovative hull design featuring an engine positioned transversely rather than longitudinally. Unlike most tanks, the T-44’s engine was installed perpendicular to the vehicle’s axis. The hull omitted sponsons and was considerably wider, enlarging the crew compartment and allowing the turret to be centered over the vehicle’s midpoint. This design also shortened the overall length of the tank. Armor thickness measured 75mm on the front hull and 90mm on the turret front, while side armor was 45 mm thick with optional reinforcement plates of 30 mm. All three prototypes utilized the V-2IS diesel engine delivering 500 hp (373 kW). Features unique to this generation included a raised cast driver’s hatch with an opening vision flap and mounting bolts arranged in a ring around the gun barrel base.

Morozov’s medium tank concept initially faced skepticism. Critics doubted that placing a high-speed 12-cylinder engine with nearly 40 liters displacement transversely would avoid mechanical issues such as connecting rod failures. Concerns were raised that reducing engine compartment size to expand fighting space was unnecessary and that shifting the turret rearward would limit main gun elevation angles. Nevertheless, although rotating the engine complicated transmission by necessitating an additional reduction gear and fan drive, it resolved multiple challenges. The engine and transmission compartment cover rotated with the radiator, facilitating easier maintenance access to these components as well as batteries. Reducing engine compartment length allowed moving the turret rearward, relocating its rotation axis and center of gravity closer to the hull’s midpoint, which improved main gun accuracy and decreased turret jamming risks from ricocheting hits on the turret ring. The frontal armor thickness more than doubled without significantly affecting weight distribution or total mass. At World War II’s outset, T-34 armor thickness was deemed sufficient; wartime upgrades focused mainly on enlarging gun caliber (from 76.2 mm to 85 mm) and reinforcing turret armor without major hull changes. Enlarging the fighting compartment eliminated floor ammunition storage, while overall vehicle height dropped by 300 mm despite maintaining nearly identical turret dimensions. Removing the conical pair from the transmission allowed installation of a more compact gearbox and enhanced brake and steering clutch control. Driver visibility improved significantly, along with protection against water splashes during fording operations. Additionally, new torsion bar suspension facilitated better traversal of uneven terrain.

Second generation

File:T-44-122 and Panther.JPG

T-44-122 prototype undergoing comparative testing alongside a captured German Panther tank

File:T44-122 and T-44-85.jpg

The second of the initial pair of T-44-85 first-generation prototypes together with the T-44-122 prototype during evaluation trials

Initial testing of the T-44-122 prototype occurred in February and March 1944; however, these tests failed due to a malfunction in the main gun, which was subsequently sent back to Factory No. 9 for repairs. Testing resumed in April and May 1944. In addition to standard assessments, the T-44-122 was subjected to competitive trials against a seized German Panzerkampfwagen V Panther medium tank and the second of the two first-generation T-44-85 prototypes. The effective firing rate was limited to two or three rounds per minute, primarily because of the cramped turret space and the heavy, lengthy ammunition. The vehicle’s ammunition capacity was only 24 rounds, a quantity deemed inadequate for a medium tank role. Consequently, all further development on the T-44-122 prototype was discontinued.

Similarly, one of the two initial T-44-85 first-generation prototypes participated in competitive trials against a captured German Panzerkampfwagen V Panther medium tank. Meanwhile, the other first-generation T-44-85 prototype competed directly against the T-44-122 prototype. This second prototype revealed additional design deficiencies. By May 1944, work had begun on two second-generation prototypes featuring modifications such as relocating the driver’s position rearward so that his hatch partially sat on the hull roof. The driver’s vision flap was redesigned into a simple square shape with rounded lower corners aligned with the glacis plate. These prototypes also displayed prominent collars at the base of the gun barrel, differing from the first generation which included mounting bolts. Notably, differences existed between these two second-generation prototypes themselves—one incorporated a splashboard on the glacis plate while the other presented a smooth, uncluttered glacis surface. One of these prototypes underwent testing at the NIBT proving grounds near Kubinka during June and July 1944. This vehicle weighed 31.3 tonnes and was equipped with an 85 mm ZiS-S-53 gun. The turret frontal armor thickness was enhanced to 115 mm, and side armor on the hull was increased to 75 mm.

T-44A

The third generation prototype, designated as T-44A, was finalized following the relocation of the Morozov Design Bureau back to Kharkiv in Ukraine. In this iteration, upper front hull armor (glacis plate) thickness was raised to 90 mm, while turret front armor was increased to 120 mm. Despite these armor enhancements, overall weight decreased slightly to 30.7 tonnes. This version featured a new V-44 twelve-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine producing 520 hp (388 kW) at 1,800 rpm, enabling a maximum speed of 60.5 km/h. Like one of the second generation T-44-85 prototypes, this model included a splashboard on its glacis plate. Additional changes distinguished this prototype from earlier versions: the driver’s hatch was relocated fully onto the hull roof; the vision flap was removed and substituted by a vision slot integrated into the glacis plate. Following trials conducted in August and September 1944 and several upgrades that increased its weight to approximately 32 tonnes, the T-44A officially entered service with the Red Army on 23 November 1944; however, it did not participate in combat operations during World War II.

T-44-100 and T-54

File:T-44-100.JPG

One of the two T-44-100 prototypes. Visible are the 100 mm main gun, a 12.7 mm DShK heavy anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the loader's hatch, and 6 mm thick anti-HEAT side skirts protecting the flanks. This particular unit lacks a splashboard on the glacis plate.

Although the T-44A incorporated advanced technology and enhanced armor, it retained the same 85 mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun used on the T-34-85 medium tank. The military required a new tank equipped with a more potent 100 mm cannon. By late 1944, designers had access to three variants of 100 mm guns: the combat-proven D-10 (already employed in the SU-100 tank destroyer), alongside prototype models ZiS-100 and LB-1 (the latter named after Lavrenty Beria). The initial designation for the T-44 fitted with a 100 mm gun was T-44B. Two separate development projects, both derived from the T-44A, were initiated. The first project began in October 1944 at Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183’s design bureau in Nizhny Tagil. Design work concluded by December, and a prototype was completed in February 1945. Testing conducted from March to April yielded favorable outcomes, leading to its adoption by the Red Army as the T-54.

This model featured a hull and drivetrain closely resembling those of the T-44A but offered notable enhancements such as reinforced frontal armor—120 mm on the upper glacis and 90 mm on the lower—and a redesigned driver’s hatch and vision slit. The turret diameter was enlarged to 1800 mm and armored more heavily with 180 mm at the front, between 90 mm and 150 mm on the sides, and 30 mm on top. Armament consisted of a 100 mm D-10TK tank gun supported by two 7.62 mm GWT machine guns. Power came from a newly developed V-54 water-cooled diesel engine with twelve cylinders and a displacement of 38.88 liters, producing 520 hp (388 kW) at 2,000 rpm. Fuel capacity was increased to a total of 695 liters—530 liters internally and an additional 165 liters externally—with external tanks integrated into the fuel system. Roadwheel rubber tires were made wider to accommodate increased weight, which rose to 35.5 tonnes and consequently reduced maximum road speed to 43.5 km/h. Operational range on roads extended to approximately 360 km.

Following successful trials, plans were made to upgrade the tank before commencing mass production (further details can be found in the T-54/55 article). Additionally, the new turret was installed on two modified serial-production T-44A chassis in 1945, creating two prototypes designated as T-44-100. One prototype was fitted with the D-10TK gun while the other mounted an LB-1 cannon. Similar to second-generation T-44-85 prototypes, these two T-44-100 versions exhibited differences: one included a splashboard on the glacis plate while the other omitted it. Both were equipped with a 12.7 mm DShK heavy anti-aircraft machine gun atop the loader’s hatch, protected by 6 mm thick anti-HEAT side skirts, and carried two cylindrical external fuel tanks at the rear—boosting fuel capacity to 1035 liters.

These cylindrical fuel tanks later became standard additional fuel containers for Soviet main battle tanks. Development of further T-44 variants was discontinued as focus shifted entirely towards advancing the new T-54 main battle tank program.

Description

The T-44 featured a conventional tank arrangement with the driving compartment positioned at the front, the fighting compartment centrally located, and the engine compartment situated at the rear. Its design aimed to maintain the agility and speed characteristic of the T-34 while enhancing protection against high-caliber tank armament through increased armor thickness. This enhancement was achieved by reinforcing armor plating but at the expense of reducing the internal hull volume. Compared to the T-34, the T-44 had a lower silhouette and was potentially easier to produce. Although it incorporated numerous components from the T-34, it introduced a redesigned hull along with an updated model V-2 diesel engine from Kharkiv, as well as modified suspension and transmission systems.

Following contemporary design trends of that era, the T-44 eliminated the hull radio operator/machine gunner station found in many earlier models. Several factors motivated this decision. The large machine gun firing port located in the glacis plate of the T-34 was identified as a vulnerability in its armor. During World War II, German forces exploited both this firing port and the driver's hatch on T-34s. The machine gun itself was ineffective due to limited accuracy caused by restricted visibility. Additionally, communication through an extra crew member was deemed inefficient; thus, these responsibilities were reassigned to the commander. The space freed by removing this position was repurposed for an additional fuel tank and increased ammunition storage. The driver's hatch was relocated to the left side of the hull roof. The hull underwent improvements, becoming longer and wider than that of the T-34 but slightly lower in height due to repositioning of the air filter; it also featured thicker armor and a simplified construction process. The hull included a sloped glacis plate, vertical sides, and a subtly beveled rear section. Most units were equipped with a splashboard on the glacis plate to shield the upper hull from mud or water splashes, although some T-44A variants lacked this feature. Three rectangular stowage bin mounts were installed on the fenders—two on the right side and one on the left—and four mounts for cylindrical fuel tanks were present (two per side). This configuration was revised in the T-44M model, which adopted rectangular fuel cells.

In operational use, the tank exhibited shortcomings in winter environments due to incomplete drainage of its cooling system. This issue stemmed from modifications to the water pump designed to reduce engine height; specifically, a small shaft would break if the impeller pump froze. Field repairs were highly impractical, requiring three personnel: two to hold a third individual by his legs while he worked inside the engine bay to remove and replace the broken shaft, repeatedly lowering and raising him until reassembly was complete. Another significant winter-related problem was crew frostbite caused by a total absence of an internal heating system. The driver’s protection against precipitation relied on a removable tarpaulin cover with a small glass viewing window; however, this solution proved ineffective and impractical.

File:T-44-85 4.JPG

Second generation T-44-85 prototype during trials. This example lacks a splashboard and shows a gap between the second and third roadwheels.

File:T-44-85 2.JPG

Second generation T-44-85 prototype undergoing trials at NIBT proving grounds near Kubinka in summer 1944. Note reduced driver's vision flap aligned with glacis plate, prominent collar at gun tube base, and glacis plate splashboard.

The T-44 utilized a compact torsion-bar suspension system instead of the T-34’s Christie coil springs but retained Christie's engagement method between slotted drive wheels and track lugs. It featured five large spoked road wheels paired with 500 mm wide 'dead' tracks inherited from the T-34. The hull and wheel assemblies closely resembled those found on early T-54 main battle tanks; however, original T-44 models had 'spider' style road wheels from the T-34 and a narrow inset drive wheel at the rear. The T-44 represented the last Soviet medium tank to employ paddle-type tracks. Track tensioning mechanisms were significantly improved over those on the T-34: whereas adjusting tension on a T-34 required loosening lug nuts and hammering cranks with multiple personnel involved, on the T-44 this operation could be performed solo without tools like sledgehammers. Road wheels were evenly spaced except for one prominent gap; early prototypes (T-44-85 and T-44-122) had this gap between second and third road wheels similar to the T-34, while production T-44A models positioned it between first and second road wheels—a configuration continued in later T-54/55 tanks. Road wheels occasionally began to loosen after approximately 2,500 km of travel; attempts to extend their lifespan by angling paired wheels resulted in increased stress on outer rollers. When traversing rough terrain over 20 km, tanks could accumulate roughly one ton of dirt within their suspension systems.

Power came from an upgraded V-44 12-cylinder 4-stroke diesel engine producing 520 hp (388 kW) at 1,800 rpm—a more powerful evolution of the V-2 engine used in T-34s—paired with a new planetary manual 5-speed transmission system featuring enhanced filtration and cooling components including horizontally mounted water and oil pumps as well as an improved fuel delivery system that boosted output performance; however, side clutches from earlier models were retained. This powertrain enabled maximum speeds of 53 km/h on roads and between 20–25 km/h cross-country, alongside a maximum operational range of 350 km. Engine wear typically occurred after about 3,000 km traveled, marked by oil pressure dropping to 2–3 atmospheres and black smoke emissions during heavy loads due to mechanical degradation. The engine deck incorporated two transverse ventilation grilles at its rear end; exhaust gases exited via a port on the rear left side of the hull. Mobility capabilities included surmounting vertical obstacles up to 1 meter high, crossing trenches as wide as 2.5 meters, negotiating side slopes up to 32°, climbing gradients up to 60°, and fording water obstacles up to 1.3 meters deep without prior preparation.

Relocation of the driver’s hatch away from the glacis plate allowed for perpendicular egress rather than crawling out through an angled opening; consequently, his seat featured an elevating mechanism enabling him to raise himself above hull level for better external visibility and easier control access when safe from combat threats. In battle conditions, he lowered back into position relying solely on a vision slot protected by triplex (three-layer) glass. However, this seating arrangement raised pedals for clutch engagement, fuel supply control, and incline braking higher than before while making steering clutch levers and gear shift controls more awkward to operate. Early production models experienced transmission issues whereby simultaneous engagement of two gears during shifting caused gear pinion failures; these problems were resolved during a 1961 modernization (T-44M) by adopting a gearbox derived from that used in T-54 main battle tanks.

Armament on the T-44A comprised an 85 mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun accompanied by two 7.62 mm DTM light machine guns—one mounted coaxially within the turret alongside the main gun and another fixed through a small hole centered in the glacis plate operated by the driver due to absence of dedicated radio operator/machine gunner crew member; this fixed machine gun required aiming by maneuvering entire tank chassis rather than turret traverse. The ZiS-S-53 could penetrate approximately 100 mm of armor at 1,000 meters range with elevation angles ranging from -5° depression up to +25° elevation but lacked stabilization systems. Similar to earlier designs such as T-34s or SU-76 self-propelled guns, hot cartridge casings frequently rolled under crew members’ feet causing discomfort; additionally, firing generated toxic gases inside crew compartments after each shot fired. Ammunition capacity included 58 rounds for main gun shells and 1,890 rounds for machine guns.

The turret was cast steel featuring an elongated hexagonal shape with sloped sides and uniform overhang around its perimeter; it bore resemblance to an extended version of the better-armored turret found on T-34/85 tanks with a prominent horizontal casting seam visible across its structure. A cast gun mantlet incorporated a small but distinct ring-shaped collar encircling base of gun barrel tube. On top of turret roof sat a raised commander's cupola on left side along with loader’s hatch positioned on right side adjacent to low-profile dome-shaped ventilator behind it. Turret traverse was powered by an electric motor system. Armor thickness measured 120 mm at turret front face while sides were protected by plates measuring 75 mm thick.

The hull construction employed rolled welded steel plates with armor thicknesses including a glacis plate measuring 90 mm thick, side armor at 75 mm thickness, and bottom plating at 20 mm thickness. Additional armor could be added: optional spaced or applique plates up to 30 mm thick could be mounted onto both hull sides as well as turret surfaces.

The tank could be equipped with PT-3 mine clearance apparatus when required; radio equipment was installed inside rear turret section featuring an antenna mounted centrally on left turret side. A submachine gun was standard issue onboard for close defense purposes. However, no protection against nuclear, biological or chemical threats (NBC protection) or night vision devices were integrated into this vehicle model during its service life.

Production history

The T-44A was officially inducted into the Red Army's service on 23 November 1944, with manufacturing having commenced the previous month. Production was carried out at the newly established Factory No. 75 in Kharkiv, which utilized the facilities of the former KhPZ Factory No. 183, recaptured from German forces on 23 August 1943. To bring the factory back to operational status, personnel, machinery, and equipment were transferred from the Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183 located in Nizhny Tagil. Initial production targets aimed for 300 T-44As per month; however, only 25 units were completed by the close of 1944. The following year saw production increase to 940 units, totaling 965 tanks by war’s end (190 manufactured in late 1944 and throughout 1945). Between 1946 and 1947, an additional 858 T-44As were produced. Despite this, the T-34 accounted for approximately 85% of medium tank production through to 1950, as development continued toward a more advanced medium tank equipped with a more powerful 100 mm gun. The relatively short production span concluded in 1947 with a cumulative output of 1,823 T-44A tanks. This limited run was influenced by initial mechanical reliability issues, the conclusion of World War II which diminished immediate demand for new tanks, and the design's inability to accommodate a 100 mm main gun effectively. Subsequently, production shifted to the T-54-1 main battle tank, which offered improved mechanical dependability and could mount a 100 mm weapon. The enhanced T-54-2 model replaced T-34 manufacturing at Omsk Factory No. 183 in 1950, and the T-54/55 series continued production until 1981.

Service history

Initially, three tank brigades—the 6th Guards, 33rd Guards, and 63rd Guards Tank Brigades—were formed on 15 September 1944 to train with the T-44; however, these units were reequipped with T-34-85 tanks before participating in the Battle of Berlin and Prague Offensive. The T-44A did not see combat deployment in Europe during World War II due to several factors: the Red Army’s reluctance to adopt a new tank model amid ongoing conflict; shortages of spare parts and trained maintenance personnel; and the necessity to retrain crews for operating the new vehicle. Nevertheless, three T-44s were allocated to the 100th Special Tank Company for testing on the Eastern Front. Many T-44As were dispatched immediately after production to the Soviet Far East; some arrived before war’s end and were actively engaged during the final three days of fighting there. Postwar deliveries continued until approximately 600 T-44As were stationed in that region.

During the Cold War era, Soviet authorities maintained strict secrecy surrounding the tank. It was withheld from public military parades and photographs remained classified until secrecy measures were lifted. Photographic documentation of T-44s deployed in East Germany or used briefly for crew training in Poland and Romania in 1952 is virtually nonexistent. Similarly, despite confirmed deployment during the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956, only a handful of photographs of T-44A tanks in Hungary are known.

In 1961, numerous T-44As underwent modernization incorporating components from the T-54 medium tank along with other improvements; these upgraded vehicles were designated as T-44M. By 1963, some T-44Ms had been converted into command vehicles labeled T-44MK. In addition, certain units were transformed into BTS-4A armored recovery vehicles by 1965. The following year saw select T-44As and T-44Ms fitted with "Cyclone" gun stabilizers and redesignated as T-44S and T-44MS respectively. Most sources indicate that these variants remained active within Soviet forces until the late 1970s when their effectiveness as frontline tanks diminished; it is possible they stayed in storage into the early 1990s. Many T-44Ms found new roles as artillery tractors, tank tractors, or engineer vehicles. Several examples—including variants such as T-44A, T-44S, T-44M, T-44MK, and T-44MS—were converted into static defensive emplacements; some positioned along the border with China. Unlike many Soviet weapon systems, the T-44 was not exported abroad.

After declassification in the 1960s—by which time it was largely obsolete—the tank appeared in multiple war films such as Father of a Soldier, Liberation, Battle of Moscow, Red Cherry, The Star, and Downfall. In Father of a Soldier, it portrayed a T-34 tank; while in Liberation, Red Cherry, The Star, and Downfall it was cosmetically altered with additional armor plating to resemble a German Tiger I heavy tank. Some modified T-44s and T-34s were also used to represent Panzer IV tanks for Soviet-era film productions depicting Eastern Front battles; they participated notably in a reenactment of the Battle of Moscow held in 2004.

File:T44 Moscow, Poklonnaya Hill 3.JPG

T-44 showcased at the Museum of the Great Patriotic War on Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park in Moscow.

Several preserved examples are displayed in military museums including locations such as Brest (Belarus) and Moscow’s Museum of the Great Patriotic War at Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park. One of two existing prototypes equipped with a 100 mm gun is housed at Kubinka Tank Museum near Moscow.

File:Средний танк Т-44 знаменский pic1.JPG

Restored example "Znamenskiy" at Kubinka Tank Museum.

In collaboration with Gaijin Entertainment—the creators of World War II multiplayer game War Thunder—and Kubinka Tank Museum staff restored tank number "221" to full operational condition over nearly six months. This vehicle received a parade paint scheme modeled after the historic "Znamenskiy" tank from the Soviet Union’s 29th Tank Corps within the 5th Guards Mechanized Army. This particular machine was one of two surviving T-44MS prototypes previously stored outdoors at Kubinka and retains its modified turret fitted with a dual-plane gun stabilizer.

Variants

• Template:Visanc (1944) – This designation refers to two initial prototypes of the first generation equipped with the 85 mm D-5T tank gun, along with two second generation prototypes armed with the 85 mm ZiS-S-53 tank gun.
  • Template:Visanc (1944) – Identifies the third generation prototype as well as the production variant.
    • Template:Visanc (1966) – A T-44A model upgraded with the "Cyclone" two-plane stabilization system for the main gun.
    • Template:Visanc (1961) – An enhanced version of the T-44A featuring a drivetrain modernized to align with that of the T-54, including the V-54 12-cylinder, 38.88-liter water-cooled diesel engine producing 523 hp (390 kW), along with updated gearbox, tracks, 'starfish' road wheels, and a conventional toothed drive sprocket flush with the track's outer edge. Ammunition capacity rose from 58 to 61 rounds. It incorporated new R-113 and R-120 radio systems, a heater, an infrared night sight, and a TVN-2 night vision device for the driver. An additional fuel tank increased total fuel capacity by 150 liters to reach 650 liters, extendable to 800 liters with extra tanks. The maximum operational range on road improved to between 420 km and 440 km. Original fenders were replaced by T-54-style variants. The catwalk storage was substituted by flat rectangular external fuel tanks typical of the T-54, featuring embossed circle and cross markings. Consequently, the T-44M had a distinct configuration of external fuel tanks and storage boxes: four rectangular external tanks plus two smaller ones on the right fender secured with mounts for four spare track links; one rectangular fuel tank, two smaller tanks, and one storage box on the left side. An antiaircraft machine gun mount was added. The right glacis plate received a T-54-style headlight cluster consisting of two headlights, while the left hull-side T-34-style headlight was removed.
      • Template:Visanc (1963) – Command variant converted from the T-44M. Alongside standard equipment, it featured an R-112 radio set. Ammunition storage was reduced by 15 rounds, resulting in a total of 46 rounds.
      • Template:Visanc (1966) – A T-44M fitted with the "Cyclone" two-plane gun stabilization system and an extended maximum operational range.
      • Template:Visanc (1965) – An armored recovery vehicle derived from the T-44M by removing its turret. It was equipped with a stowage basket, hoist, a folding crane capable of lifting up to 3 tonnes, and a snorkel system. This variant is also referred to as BTS-4-44M.
• T-44 units repurposed as static fortifications typically had their engine and gearbox removed before being buried up to hull roof level and having their turrets encased in concrete to disrupt their silhouette and simulate rocky formations.
• Template:Visanc (1944) – A first generation prototype armed with a D-25T 122 mm tank gun capable of carrying 24 rounds.
• Template:Visanc (1945) – Prototype featuring a redesigned turret allowing installation of either a 100 mm D-10T or LB-1 gun. It held 36 rounds for its main armament. This version included a 12.7 mm DShK heavy machine gun mounted on the loader's hatch, side skirts measuring 6 mm thickness for additional protection, and two cylindrical rear fuel tanks increasing total fuel capacity to 1035 liters. The extended barrel length resulted in an overall vehicle length of 8.04 meters. Due to these modifications—the turret redesign, upgraded armament, and side skirts—the weight rose to 34.55 tonnes.
• SU-122-44 (1944) – Prototype self-propelled artillery mounting a 122 mm gun.
• Uralmash-1 (1944) – Self-propelled gun prototype equipped with either a 100 mm or a 122 mm gun; also known under designations SU-101 and SU-102.

Surviving Vehicles

T-44

• Preserved at the Stalin Line Museum in Zaslawye, Belarus.
• Located in Rahachow, Belarus.
• Part of the collection at the Caponier Club Collection, Moscow, Russia.
• Exhibited at the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum in Arhangelskoe, Russia.
• Displayed within the UMMC Museum Complex in Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia.
• Four visually modified T-44 tanks held by the Mosfilm Military And Technical Cinema Depot in Russia.
• Turret remains situated in Lemeshiv, Volyn Oblast, Ukraine.
• Turret preserved in Glusk, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine.
• Turret displayed at Zviahel, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine.
• A T-44 turret mounted on a T-34 hull found in Ovruch, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine.
• Turret only exhibited at an unidentified fortification museum in Moscow.
• Two turrets housed at the State Military Technical Museum in Ivanovo, Russia.

T-44M

• Positioned at the Brest Fortress in Brest, Belarus.
• Found in Kobryn, within the Brest Region of Belarus.
• Displayed again at the Stalin Line Museum in Zaslawye, Belarus.
• Exhibited in Victory Park, located in Moscow, Russia.
• Two T-44Ms are part of the collection at the Kubinka Tank Museum in Kubinka, Russia.
• Held by the Museum of Russian Military History in Padikovo, Russia.
• Preserved at Sokolova Gora in Saratov, Russia.
• Located within Volsk, Saratov Oblast, Russia.
• Present in Petrovsk, Saratov Oblast, Russia.

Former Operators

• Template:USSR
• Template:UZB: Utilized primarily for ceremonial purposes.

See also

• List of Soviet tanks
• M26 Pershing
• Panther tank
• Centurion Mk. 1

External links

• T-44 Medium Tank (archived) at battlefield.ru
• T-44 Medium Tank at wwiivehicles.com
• Rem Ulanov: The Transitional Variant (archived), memoirs of a T-44 test driver, at battlefield.ru