T-50 - the Soviet light tank

In 1939 the design of the tank, which was initially designated as "SP", then as "Object 126" or "T-126 (SP)", was carried out by the "Kirovo" factory No. 185 in Leningrad construction brigade. The new combat vehicle was supposed to replace the T-26 tanks, which in the Winter War with Finland (November 30, 1939 - March 13, 1940) turned out to be obsolete and suffered heavy losses. The T-50 prototype was very similar in design to the T-34. The first T-50 new  prototypes were already produced in 1940. After the initial tests, the prototypes were handed over to the Leningrad factory no. 174, because these tanks were supposed to be serially produced there. Due to the change in project details, a new prototype appeared - "Object 127" ("T-127"), which was directed to serial production. "Object 127" differed from its predecessor in its lower weight, which was reduced due to the use of 35 mm armor instead of 45 mm thick.The T-50 was equipped with a completely new V-4 diesel engine, that developed 300 h. p. power. Two new prototypes were completed in January 1941. After the trials and testing were completed, in April 1941, the Soviet Army adopted the T-50 into service. In Leningrad the plant managed to produce only 50 tanks of this type and was later evacuated to Nizhny Tagil and Omsk. The Omsk plant produced another 15 T-50 and later engaged only in the production of T-34. T-50 tanks were used in battles in the Karelian Isthmus as part of an armored brigade. One of these tanks was captured by the Finns. These tanks also fought in the Ukrainian front in 1941, where the 4th German Armored Division attacked.

A medium-complexity, small, well-designed and well-detailed, colorful model for modellers of all experience. Only advanced beginners and modelers with little experience are advised to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. The model without internal equipment reproduces the tank of the 1st Armored Division, that fought in the Leningrad region in August 1941. There is a solid stock of colors, tracks can be made in two ways - from individual tracks and tracks-strips. The textual instruction is medium in size, but quite detailed and perfectly complements the graphics, which are almost exemplary for other designers.