Soviet Artillery tractor Komintern 1:56 (28mm)

Komintern Artillery tractor

After World War I began the work on the transfer of artillery to mechanical traction, since the cavalry did not meet the new requirements of transporting anti-tank, anti-aircraft and field guns of greater mass and enhanced power.

In 1924 the  the Kharkov Locomotive Plant   ХПЗ (Харьковский паровозостроительный завод) created the Kommunar tracked tractor, which was used by the Red Army to tow heavy artillery systems. 

However, by 1930 this tractor was obsolete and no longer met the requirements for power and towing speed.  In 1933 was developed  a new tracked tractor "Komintern (Коминтерн)"based on the use of a large number of components of the serial T-24 medium tank.

In 1934 began the mass production. During the period 1934 to 1940, 1798 vehicles of this type were built, which were used to tow almost all artillery guns (152 mm caliber, and sometimes B-4 203-mm howitzer on tracked vehicles).

Specifications: weight 10,5 t + 2 t load + 12-14 t trailer; crew 2 + 12 men; dimensions 5,765 x 2,208 x 2,538 m; base 3,278 m; track 1,53 m; clearance 0,4 m; engine 131 hp; speed 30,5 km/h; range 170 km (550 l of fuel).

The development of artillery systems of 203-305 mm caliber required more traction force from artillery tractors and the Komintern was replaced by the more modern and powerful Voroshilovets. The layout remained the same as that of the Comintern, but he received a reinforced transmission and undercarriage, as well as a B-2B diesel engine (a derated version of a tank engine for the T-34).

Source: Всё о Второй мировой