The BT-42 was a Finnish assault gun, constructed during the Continuation War. It was constructed from captured Soviet BT-7 light tanks and British 4.5-inch howitzers (114 mm-calibre light howitzer, model 1908) from 1918, which had been donated during the Winter War. Eighteen vehicles were constructed, yet only 1 survives to this day, housed at the Parola Tank Museum.

Development and use

As the Second World War progressed, the Red Army were fielding better and better tanks. The Finnish Army, on the other hand, had to make do with a large number of captured tanks, which were for the most part lightly armored and armed.

The Finns decided to redesign the BT-7 Model 1937 tank. They constructed a new turret fitted with 76 K/02 gun sights and armed it with British-made 114.3 mm howitzers that had been supplied by the British during the Winter War (Q.F. 4,5 inch howitzer Mark II, also known as 114 Psv.H/18 in Finland). Eighteen BT-42 were built between 1943-1944.

These converted vehicles quickly became very unpopular with their crews. The weaknesses could mainly be attributed to the new turret, which apart from giving the tank a high-profile also added significant weight to the vehicle, stressing the suspension and the engine.

The BT-42 was used for the first time in 1943, at the Svir River, where it was used against enemy pillboxes. The design worked reasonably well against soft targets but was completely unsuitable for anti-tank warfare. and later replaced with the German Stug IIIs.

To counter this, the Finns copied a German-designed HEAT round for the gun and it was initially thought that it would be effective against the sloped armour of the T-34. Testing showed that it could penetrate 100mm of steel plate at 50 or 60 degrees, and should be able to penetrate 110-115mm armor sloped at a 70 degree angle, but this was proven incorrect at the Battle of Viipuri where it was shown to be incapable of taking down even medium tanks. 2,000 shells were ordered but this was cancelled after 500 had been delivered. Supposedly one of the main issues was with the copied HEAT shells fuses, which apparently did not arm themselves correctly after firing, due to the different muzzle velocity and round spin rate of the 4.5-inch howitzer compared to the original German guns.

The BT-42s were used again during the major Soviet offensive in 1944. Nine BT-42s were deployed in the defense of Vyborg.

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Image:Bt42 parola 1.jpg|Front view

Image:Bt42 parola 3.jpg|Left-rear quarter view

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The Parola Tank Museum in Parola, Finland, houses the world's last surviving BT-42. The tank was featured as the primary vehicle of Jatkosota High School, a minor school in the Japanese anime Girls und Panzer. The museum was seeking funds for an outdoor shelter for several of their tanks, including the BT-42. A large group of Japanese Girls und Panzer fans raised over €10,000 in order to help the museum preserve its BT-42.

See also

  • BT-43 - another Finnish conversion of the BT-7 tank
  • Beutepanzer

Footnotes