URL : https://www.valka.cz/SOV-SU-31-system-BGS-1-t241118#666989
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On January 29, 1942, a draft of tactical and technical requirements for a preliminary design of a universal self-propelled chassis based on the light tank T-60 was drawn up. The preparation was provided by S.A. Ginzburg, at that time deputy head of the 2nd department of the NKTP of the USSR. According to the requirements, a universal chassis was to be created (chassis No. 31 ("Шасси 31")), which later served as a base for armored vehicles of various purposes, including an anti-aircraft tank. A similar development was required for the platform of the latest light tank, the T-70 (chassis No. 32 ("Шасси 32")). It was planned to use several components from the light tank T-60, but several modifications had to be made to the original platform. The width of the platform was increased and thus the length of the torsion bars. The higher priority of chassis 31 is also evidenced by the fact that three versions were planned, chassis 32 was only planned in two versions.
The following versions were planned for chassis 31: BGS-1 (БГС-1 (Боевая Гусеничная Машина 1)) with a 25 mm anti-aircraft gun 72-K BGS-2 (BGS-2 (Combat Tracked Vehicle 2)) with 37 mm protilietadlovým kanónom 61-K BGS-3 (BGS-3 (Combat Tracked Vehicle 3)) with 76,2 mm divíznym kanónom ZIS-3
On 22 May 1942, a meeting was held at Plant No. 37, where the priority programs were approved, namely the BGS-2 on the platform of Chassis No. 31 and the BGS-5 (76.2 mm self-propelled gun with modified tank gun ZIS-5) on the platform of Chassis No. 32. At the same time, the development of the BGS-1 and BGS-5 was entrusted to the design team of F.F. Petrov from Plant No. 8. Petrov's team was busy working on various other projects at the time. For this reason, the BGS-1 (or also known as ZIK-5) project did not appear until 8/1942. The project was actually an adaptation of BGS-2, but with a 25 mm anti-aircraft gun 72-K. The two BGS-1 and BGS-2 projects were actually quite similar. The problem was that the 25mm gun 72-K was still under development and was not expected to be available anytime soon. Therefore, this project was only a paper project, the actual prototype was not produced.
Another blow to the project was the decree "ГКО № 1958сс" signed by Stalin, which envisaged the production of T-34 and T-70 tanks. In another decree, "ГКО №2120сс", Plant No. 37 was charged with the production of T-34. This meant that the T-60 platform, and thus its derivatives, had nowhere to be produced. Nevertheless, the development work did not stop and on 18.8.1942 SU-31 and SU-32 passed gunnery trials at the Sofrin polygon. On 21.8.1942 the trials continued at the Kubinka polygon. A light tank T-70 also took part in the tests. Paradoxically, the prototype of chassis No. 31 (SU-31) demonstrated better off-road performance than the remaining pair of platforms (SU-32 and T-70). The evaluation committee therefore recommended the introduction of the SU-31 platforms. However, during the tests, problems were found with undersized chassis parts, problems with the engine pair and in the transmission layout. The SU-31 and SU-32 program was transferred to Plant No. 38, where they were redesignated SU-11 and SU-12. Also, due to the termination of production of the T-60 and due to the planned modification of the T-70 platform to produce a reinforced design better suited than the problematic T-60, the project was canceled. Priority was given to the SU-32 (SU-12) platform, which became the basis for the later SU-76 self-propelled gun.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/SOV-SU-31-system-BGS-1-t241118#667326
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