T-34/85 btu

[DRG]

If anyone has any info from any source on the use of the T-34/85 BTU dozer by anyone besides the Russian and the Poles it would save me from guessing. Right now that the only two nations using it and my best guess is there were more than just those two

[Pibwl]

It's a difficult question... it seems rather niche equipment, and quite mysterious machine. Searching in the net, I couldn't even find info on Soviet machines, nor photos. There is only mention on one page, that some tanks were fitted with bulldozer equipment BTU or snow ploughs STU (https://www.aviarmor.net/tww2/tanks/ussr/t-34-85_3.htm). As for Polish ones, J. Magnuski only mentions, that in the USSR there was developed a standard tank dozer variant "ST-34", and they were used in Poland (the question is, if he doesn't confuse a designation of snow plough...). Also, no photos...

On this page http://fb2.booksgid.com/content/D4/-...008-10/29.html (article from TiV magazine on T-54 variants) there is an information, that a snow-plough STU was used also on T-34. The BTU dozer is described in T-54 context, but unfortunately without information, on which tanks it was used. It was replaced with lighter BTU-55 on T-54 and 55.

There are known Yugo T-34 with BTU-55 dozers - apparently local adaptation: http://bmforum.com.ua/index.php?topic=1214.0

More info with photos on T-54/55 BTU
http://www.russianarms.ru/forum/index.php?topic=3005.0
http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/bty.html

One model manufacturer claims that he makes BTU for T-34, T-54, T-55
http://armor35.ru/index.php?productID=9524

Possibly there was no separate dozer for T-34, but BTU developed for T-54 could have been adapted to these tanks by users operating these older tanks?

[DRG]

I think what I'm going to do is add a few to likely host nations and let someone prove me wrong...given the scarcity of information that should prove interesting

[Pibwl]

Sure it's more probable, than flamethrower tanks... I only doubt, if they were available since 1946. Unfortunately, there's no info anywhere when BTU (basic model) was developed. I'd guess some 1949-50 or later...

Edit: there is one photo of Polish T-34/76 dozer in Magnuski's book - the one used in the game.

[DRG]

In this case it will add slightly lower cost options to the existing selections which are usually T-55 BTU's in that time period

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Some of this came up in 2012 for Poland from guess who? Not me...
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/archi...p/t-48222.html

However I'm starting to feel the T-34/85 BTU was a "rare bird" and maybe even possibly a "local" modification similar to the SHERMAN tanks equipped with the hedge grow blades in Normandy. This ref. under the engineering units doesn't list the T-35/85 BTU or just BTU. I hope I didn't miss it.
http://www.testofbattle.com/upload/b...TOB%20list.pdf

It has a very in depth ref. list, wish it had the title page though.

Regards,
Pat

[Pibwl]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

Some of this came up in 2012 for Poland from guess who? Not me...
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/archi...p/t-48222.html

You got me

I wasn't researching a subject of dozer tanks until now, so I apparently assumed, that if T-34/76 in dozer variant is available from 1946, then T-34/85 should do as well

However, there are no tank dozers known to be used or developed by the USSR during WWII, so it's improbable, that they emerged in 1946. The first one known by name is BTU, developed apparently for T-54, so it must have been some 1949 at least.

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

However I'm starting to feel the T-34/85 BTU was a "rare bird" and maybe even possibly a "local" modification similar to the SHERMAN tanks equipped with the hedge grow blades in Normandy. This ref. under the engineering units doesn't list the T-35/85 BTU or just BTU. I hope I didn't miss it.
http://www.testofbattle.com/upload/b...TOB%20list.pdf

I guess it was an attempt to provide older tank companies (still used in big numbers) with newest technology, developed for T-54. According to http://saper.isnet.ru/texnica/bty.html, there was one BTU per company. And obviously it was more universal tool, than hedgerow cutters, used mostly for digging tank dugouts. After T-55, there disappeared tank dozers, replaced by special engineer tanks, and by small folding blades fitted eg. to each T-72 underneath its lower front plate.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don't worry it wasn't a "gotcha", actually it came up in one of about four different google word searches concerning the T-34/85. You would be surprised how often that can happen. I've even found me trying to find more data to support a thread I very recently posted. They however can be very useful if it applies to what your working on, concerning refs. etc. etc.

Besides I wouldn't do that to anyone!?!

Regards,
Pat