BTT-1



Overview

BTT-1

Forward view of BTT-1 armored recovery vehicle.
Source: www.ost-front.ru - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Armored recovery vehicle
Entered service
1962
Status
Out of service
Development
1959
Developer
Soviet Union - LKZ / Leningrad Kirov plant
Production
1960's
Producer
Soviet Union - LKZ / Leningrad Kirov plant
Designations
BTT-1 / Bronirovanniy Tyazheliy Tyagach 1
Russian for "armored heavy tractor 1"
ИСУ-Т (ISU-T in cyrillic)
БТТ-1 (BTT-1 in cyrillic)

Description

Introduction

The BTT-1 is an early Cold War era armored recovery vehicle of Soviet origin. The BTT-1 is one of the first dedicated armored recovery vehicle designs from the Soviet Union. All vehicles were conversions of obsolete WW2 era assault guns, none were produced new. Nowadays the BTT-1 itself is considered obsolete.

Layout

All BTT-1 were conversions of existing ISU-122 assault guns. Some ISU-122S and ISU-152 may have been converted as well. The gun is removed and the front hull is closed by a large steel plate. A winch is fitted in the superstructure facing rearwards. A flatbed area on the engine deck is used to carry various kinds of engineering equipment. Some vehicles were fitted with a large a-frame crane that folds forwards.

Recovery capabilities

The ISU-T was the earliest model and is nothing more than a heavy tractor. The BTT-1 features a heavy winch. An earth anchor at the rear is lowered before the winch is used. A small 3 t crane Subsequent improvements are a generator and some vehicle were fitted with a large A-frame.

Protection

The steel armor provides a good level of protection for the crew when on the move. The steel armor is up to 90 mm thick. During recovery activities the crew is exposed. NBC protection and smoke grenade launchers are absent.

Mobility

The BTT-1 features a new 520 hp V-52K diesel engine instead of the original engine of the ISU-122. The tracked chassis provides good cross country mobility. Its maximum speed is rather limited at 40 km/h on roads.

Users

The BTT-1 and its variants were mainly used by the USSR. A number were exported alongside the ISU-152 to Egypt and were used in the 1967 and 1973 conflicts with Israel. Small numbers were used by Poland and Czechoslovakia. It is believed that some BTT-1 saw active service up to the 1980's. Nowadays none remain in service.

Variants

BTT-1

Right side view of BTT-1 armored recovery vehicle.
Source: www.valka.cz - © copyright lies with original owner

Variants of the BTT-1

ISU-T
Simple conversion of ISU-122 assault gun to a heavy tractor. These conversions were carried out in the mid 1950's and are not fitted with the new V-54K engine. They feature no dedicated engineering equipment, as such their role was limited to pulling and pushing vehicles.
BTT-1
More capable conversion to be used in the recovery role. Developed in 1959 and in active use since 1962. Features a heavy winch and is easily distinguished from the ISU-T by its large earth anchor at the rear.
BTT-1T
Similar to BTT-1, but an added generator enables it to power welding torches and other equipment.
BTT-1K
Field modification with a large A-frame crane. The A-frame faces forwards when in use and folds towards the rear when stowed. Two large pulleys fixed to the roof of the superstructure allow the rearwards facing winch to be used as hook for the crane. The 'K' suffix may not be an official designation.

Details

Facts BTT-1
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Armored recovery vehicle
Crew
2 (driver, mechanic)
Dimensions
Weight
46 t combat load
Length
7.56 m
Width
2.08 m
Height
2.66 m roofline
Armament
Type
12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on roof
Ammunition
50 rounds ready to fire, more carried inside
Traverse
360 degrees, manual traverse and elevation
Automotive
Chassis
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Ground pressure
0.81 kg/cm^2
Engine
V-54K diesel engine
Power output
520 hp at 2.000 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 8 gears
Mobility
Max speed
40 km/h on road
15 to 20 km/h in the field
Range
350 km on road
140 km in the field
Power to weight ratio
11.3 hp/t
Ground clearance
0.42 m
Wall
1.0 m
Trench
2.5 m
Fording
1.3 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
90 mm superstructure
30 mm roof
20 mm bottom
NBC system
No
Equipment
Night vision
No
Winch
Heavy winch and earth anchor
Crane
3 t crane