The last Soviet T-10M heavy tank has been completely restored at the Museum of Russian Military History in Padikovo near Moscow.
This combat vehicle, according to domestic and foreign experts, was considered the best in its class during the 50-70s. In terms of its tactical and technical characteristics, it surpassed the American M103 and the British FV 214 Conqueror.
The museum group in VKontakte reports that the reanimated sample was released in 1965, and a total of 1079 T-10M and 100 commander T-10MK were manufactured from 1958 to 1966.
The museum's website contains a selection of photographs depicting all stages of the work. Having got acquainted with them, you can appreciate what a titanic work has been done by those who were engaged in its restoration.
The tank clearly served as a target, as it was literally covered with holes from cumulative ammunition, the barrel of the gun was cut off, the chassis was damaged, the engine and transmission compartment was dismantled.
The museum staff not only recreated the appearance of the T-10M, but also restored its ability to move quite briskly, like most of the exhibits in Padikovo. Last Saturday, a formidable combat vehicle took its place in the exposition between the IS-3 and PT-76 on the territory of the tank corps.
The T-10 was armed with a 122 mm M-62-T2 cannon stabilized in two planes. The ammunition included 30 shells. There were also two 14.5 mm KPVT machine guns (paired and anti-aircraft) with a reserve of 744 shots. The power of the V12-6B engine was 750 hp. The maximum speed on the highway: 50 - 53 km / h. The fuel reserve is 280 km . The crew is 4 people.
As Object 272, it was produced at the Kirov Plant in Leningrad, as Object 734, at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. Machines of this type were in service with formations of the Group of Soviet Troops in Germany. They were involved in Operation Danube, the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. Decommissioned in 1993.
An interesting fact: these tanks, which never took part in real combat operations, managed to be noted in the Soviet cinema, where they depicted equipment from the Great Patriotic War.
Alexey Moiseev
