Comparing: BT-7 artillery vs. Pz.Kpfw. I Ausf. C

In 1934–1935 the design bureau of the Kharkiv Locomotive Factory developed this artillery modification of the BT-7. The new elliptical turret was equipped with the 76.2-mm CT-28 gun. In addition, some vehicles received new radio stations. A total of 155 artillery BT-7s were manufactured. The vehicles saw combat on the Karelian Isthmus, in Manchuria, and during the first period of the Great Patriotic War.

The initial order for this tank was placed in 1939. It was originally conceived as a high-speed reconaissance tank for airborne units. Mass production started at the beginning of 1942. In early 1943 two vehicles were deployed with the 1st Tank Division. Another 38 vehicles were deployed with the 58th Reserve Tank Corps in the summer of 1944.