Bryansk branch of Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Bryansk, Russia

V. A. Bobkov, Dr. Hist., Associate Prof., Dept. of Theory, History of State and Law and Humanitarian Disciplines, e-mail: vladimir.bobkoff-2009@yandex.ru

The scientific publication is dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the birth of an outstanding design engineer and the main creator of the A-34 tank M. I. Koshkin. In the article based on an analysis of a noticeable number of documents and materials, as well as historiographic works (domestic and foreign authors), in the scientific research presented to readers, the history of the creation of the A-34 tank (the prototype of the famous T-34 tank) is carried out. In the publication, the metallo-scientific features of the creation of the A-34 tank are characterized in science, and thereby the representations on this subject are clarified and supplemented in historiography. The work shows the place of the A-34 machine in the "family" of domestic pre-war time tanks. The process of searching for a new brand of steel for the production of armored meters of the A-34 tank is characterized. The production features (secrets) of the manufacture of armor parts for the first two prototypes of the future legendary T-34 tank were disclosed. In conclusion, it is noted that Koshkin and his Deputy Morozov developed at the plant No. 183 in Kharkov the original prototype of the A-34 tank. To book this tank, it was required to create a more advanced armor, which was received by the innovators of the Mariupol plant. The new unique brand became called MZ-2 (over time it was designated I-8C, and then 8C). The manufacture of armor parts from the new brand for the first two A-34 tanks in general had a positive conclusion, but a number of technological disabilities showed themselves that needed to be resolved in the future.

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