T-1 tractor

The T-1 tractor (also known as DT-1, Direcția Tehnică 1) was a project developed by the Romanian Army during World War II. A total of 1,000 were ordered. It was designed to tow a Romanian 75 mm gun. After five prototypes were produced, the project was canceled due to the lack of priority.

T-1
Soviet STZ tractor, the vehicle the T-1 was likely based on
TypeArtillery tractor
Place of originRomania Romania
Service history
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerDirecția Tehnică
Designed1943
ManufacturerRogifer, Reșița, Ford
Produced1943–44
No. built5 prototypes
Specifications
Mass7 t (7.7 short tons)
Engine4-cylinder
56 kW (75 hp) at 1800 rpm
Power/weight10.7 hp/tonne
Payload capacity4 tonnes (4.4 short tons) (towing: 6 tonnes (6.6 short tons))
Transmission5 gears
Maximum speed 32 km/h (20 mph)

Specifications

The T-1 weighed 7 tons (7.7 short tons) and could carry up to 4 tons and tow as much as 6 tons. It had a 4-cylinder 56 kilowatt (75 hp) engine and transmission consisting of five gears. It could go up to 32 km/h (20 mph) and had a power-to-weight ratio of 10.7 hp/tonne.[1][2]

Development

The Romanian General Staff ordered the construction of 1,000 tractors between 1944 and 1945 at the Ford truck plant in Bucharest. The vehicles were officially designated as T-1 (Tractor 1).[3] It was also named the "DT-1".[1] It was going to be used as a prime mover towing the Romanian-built 75 mm antitank gun Reşiţa Model 1943.[3]

Production

The vehicle was based on the STZ agricultural tractor. Only five prototypes were built, because the "Mareşal" tank destroyer project had more priority.[3]

Notes
  1. Tudor, p. 126
  2. Romanian Government, p. 217.
  3. Axworthy, p. 149

References
  • Axworthy, Mark; Scafeș, Cornel; Crăciunoiu, Cristian (1995). Third Axis. Fourth Ally. Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941–1945, Arms and Armour, London. ISBN 1-85409-267-7
  • Romanian Parliament (1990). Monitorul oficial al României. Partea a III-a, Publicații și anunțuri. Bucharest: Romanian Government. OCLC 22434393
  • Tudor, Gheorghe (1982). Forța de șoc. Schiță istorică a trupelor de tancuri din armata română, Editura Militară, București.
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