Russian Mine clearing tanks

[DRG]

Great photos and information. The second link does suggest that as of 1944-45 T-34-85, T-44, IS-2 and IS-3 were modified to carry the rollers and the first link suggest that post war the T-44 was used

As tempting as it might be there isn't a lot of room in the modern Russian OOB to add extras unless they are significant but for WW2 we have a bit more leeway and an IS-2 mine roller would be interesting albeit apparently rare addition. It was really nice to see top view line drawings of the roller unit and a new and much better photo of the PT-54 I have added to MBT

Thanks

Don

[Pibwl]

To confuse matters, I've just found in a Russian monograph of T-26 tank (Frontline Illustration, vol.2), that there actually WERE used mine rollers during the Winter War. Unfortunately, sources are rich of photos and details of tested prototypes, but when it comes to combat-used models, information is scarce, with no photos. Seems, that it was a makeshift design, produced by two factories in Leningrad (93+49 units), developed since 12/39, probably with no connection with earlier works. They were 70-90 cm diameter discs on a common axle. Reportedly they were mounted on T-26 and T-28, given to the Army in Feb-March/40, and used with a success by the 35th Tank Bde and tank battalions of the 8th Army on Karelian Isthmus.

By the way: there didn't exist T-26 dozer tanks (unit 655). There was only tested a snowplough for T-26, but not adopted (it appeared too weak for thick snow).