Tankopedia
InterwarLightLight TankSoviet Union

T-38

In service 1936 - 1942

A widened, better-swimming development of the T-37A amphibious scout tank, built in over a thousand examples.

Built byFactory No. 37, Moscow

T-38
T-38 amphibious light tank — One half 3544, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Development history

The T-38 fixed the T-37A stability problems with a wider, lower hull and a redesigned transmission, and became the standard Red Army amphibious reconnaissance tank of the late 1930s. Armed only with a machine gun and protected against rifle fire at best, it was slaughtered wherever it met real opposition in 1941, but it served usefully for river crossings and scouting into 1942. Sources give production between about 1,200 and 1,400.

Variants

One canonical record, 3 recorded variants.

  1. T-38 model 1936

    1936

    Initial production amphibious scout tank with DT machine gun.

  2. T-38M

    1939

    GAZ-M1 engine, strengthened suspension and improved transmission.

  3. T-38 with 20 mm ShVAK

    1940

    Small number rearmed with an aircraft autocannon for trials.

Notable actions

  • Winter War
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Battle of Moscow