The T-34-57 was a rare, experimental Soviet tank hunter variant of the T-34, armed with a powerful 57mm ZiS-4 or ZiS-4M anti-tank gun, designed to defeat early German heavy tanks, but production was limited due to ammo shortages and the eventual adoption of the more versatile 85mm gun for the T-34-85; only a handful were built in 1941 and 1943, seeing limited action, notably around Moscow in 1941.
To create a dedicated "tank-hunter" with high-velocity rounds to counter German heavy tanks like the Panzer!!! and IV. Used the 57mm ZiS-4 (and later ZiS-4M) gun, which had excellent armor penetration but lacked effective high-explosive (HE) rounds for infantry support. About 10 were made, seeing action in the Defense of Moscow with the 21st Tank Brigade, but production stopped due to ammunition issues and production focus. Reintroduced with the improved ZiS-4M gun and better APCR ammunition, but also saw very limited runs (around 4-10 produced), with issues like barrel swelling and ineffective HE rounds, ending further development in favor of the T-34-85. Unofficially known as the "exterminator" (ubiytsa). Though few were made, the T-34-57 proved the need for heavier armament, paving the way for the much more successful T-34- 85.
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History of the T-34-57!
The T-34-57 was a rare, experimental Soviet tank hunter variant of the T-34, armed with a powerful 57mm ZiS-4 or ZiS-4M anti-tank
gun, designed to defeat early German heavy tanks, but production was limited due to ammo shortages and the eventual adoption of the more versatile 85mm gun for the T-34-85; only a handful were built in 1941 and 1943, seeing limited action, notably around Moscow in
1941.
To create a dedicated "tank-hunter" with high-velocity rounds to counter German heavy tanks like the Panzer!!! and IV. Used the 57mm ZiS-4 (and later ZiS-4M) gun, which had excellent armor penetration but lacked effective high-explosive (HE) rounds for infantry support. About 10 were made, seeing action in the Defense of Moscow with the 21st Tank Brigade, but production stopped due to ammunition issues and production focus. Reintroduced with the improved ZiS-4M gun and better APCR ammunition, but also saw very limited runs (around 4-10 produced), with issues like barrel swelling and ineffective HE rounds, ending further development in favor of the T-34-85. Unofficially known as the
"exterminator" (ubiytsa). Though few were made, the T-34-57 proved the need for heavier armament, paving the way for the much more successful T-34-
85.
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