T-41

The T-41 was an amphibious light tank prototype developed alongside the T-37. Both tanks were based on the T-33. The T-41 was only produced in limited numbers, but the T-37 developed into the T-37A, the first mass-produced amphibious light tank in the world.

Development
Work on the project began in March 1932 at the 2nd VATO plant, under the supervision of Nikolai N. Kozyrev. The Russian designers, given the bad experiences of the first Russian amphibious tank T-33, set to work, and quickly produced drawings and designs of a new machine.

In July 1932, an experienced model was built and sent to factory testing, later to be produced as the T-41, Weighing 3.5 tons and using the GAZ-AA engine, which was based on the T-27 power plant. The transmission was nearly identical to that of the T-27, and to the power take-off for the propeller, they added a rigid gear clutch.

Due to the tall profile, rather weak armor that did not allow the T-41 to survive for long under enemy fire, low permeability and the inability to maneuver on the water, the machine was not accepted in service, and the 12 produced vehicles served only as training vehicles.

Construction
The chassis was, in part, borrowed from the T-33, and the caterpillar tracks were entirely from the T-27.

Amphibious Chassis were made of 9.5 mm steel armor plates, assembled and riveting along corners, waterproofing ensured through the introduction of the rubber seals at the joints.

Armament was limited to one 7.62mm DT-29 machine gun mounted in a ball bearing in the turret.

For aquatic propulsion, a three-bladed propeller was installed in the rear of the hull, with 2 control planes located to either side. An emergency water pump was located towards the rear of the crew compartment.