Soviet T-18 Light Tank MOD1927

Service in the forces of the first Soviet tanks did not leave behind a large number of clear combat examples. An experimental company equipped with T-18s took part in defending the Far Eastern Railway against Manchurian forces in 1929. They were removed from service in 1932 and given over to training. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union a number of MS-1s were given 45 mm (1.8 in) guns with T-26/BT-5 gun mounts and entered service. Contrary to popular belief, tanks with 45 mm guns were never called T-18M; the T-18M was a 1938 prototype with simpler cupola, different drive sprocket, GAZ-M1 50 hp engine and removed rear bustle, which never reached production.