Complete Overhaul of the BT-7 at Stalin Line

Replica 45 mm armour-piercing, high-explosive fragmentation and canister rounds were made for the interior.

Special carriers, known as ‘suitcases’, were made at Stalin Line to hold the replica 45 mm rounds. These are fitted inside the two ammunition boxes on the floor of the BT-7’s fighting compartment. The two boxes held 84 rounds in 28 ‘suitcases’. A further 62 rounds were secured in special clips along the sides of the hull and turret. As this 1935 command tank variant was equipped with a radio, its ammunition load comprised 146 rounds. Standard BT-7 tanks without radios carried 40 more rounds.

A cartridge-case catcher has been fitted to the tank gun, although the bag has yet to be attached. It is placed in the horizontal position during combat and raised to the vertical position at other times. The bracket on its protective guard has an adjustable support for the gunner, making it easier to aim at the target.

The pedal-operated firing system for the tank gun and its coaxial DT machine gun has been restored. The gunner presses the left pedal to fire the gun and the right pedal to fire the machine gun. At other times, the gunner’s foot rests on the central, circular section.

The tank crew’s old, badly worn seat backs and cushions were replaced with new ones.

A ball mount for the DT machine gun was made and installed in the turret’s rear recess. The handrail antenna was restored to its correct appearance; the original was made of copper, with supports made of laminated plastic.

A large number of components, both large and small, were restored.

A new engine was installed in the tank.

The turret and 45 mm tank gun were restored.

The tank hull was restored and painted in its pre-war colour scheme.