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JS-2 Heavy Tank People's Liberation Army, 1952
General Background
The JS-2 was the evolution of the KV tanks and the JS-1's. It was equipped with a massive 122mm main gun and its original purpose was to destroy German lines so Russian troops could advance. Early in 1944 these tanks started to arrive in the field but later in 1944 modifications were needed to improve performance. The next major improvements wouldn't come for another 10 years. After WWII the JS-2's were exported to China and Cuba where they were used into the 1990's
The Tank
The People's Liberation Army was established August 1, 1927 under another name but in 1946 it became official. China received several JS-2's in the early 1950's, some for the PLA and others for the newly formed People's Volunteer Army. This allowed the PLA to remain independent while the PVA assisted North Korea. The US assisted South Korea as part of a UN police force. These two actions avoided official war between China and the US. During the war 20 JS-2's were reported to have been used.
Specifications :
| Crew: | 4 |
| Combat weight: | 46 tons |
| Power-to-weight ratio: | 11.3 hp/t |
| Hull length: | 6.68 m |
| Overall length: | 9.91 m |
| Width: | 3.07 m |
| Engine: | V-21 4-stroke V-type diesel 520 HP |
| Transmission: | Multiple dry main clutch, mechanical gearbox with reduction gear, |
| 2-stage planetary turning mechanism and side drives, 8 gears forward, 2 reverse | |
| Fuel capacity: | 137 gallons internal + 80 gallons external + 110 gallons supplementary |
| Maximum speed: | road 23mph, off road 18mph |
| Maximum range: | 150 miles |
| Fuel consumption: | 0.8 gallons/mile |
| Fording depth: | 1.3 m |
| Armament: | D-25T Model 1943 122mm rifled tank gun |
| Main gun ammunition: | BR-47B (armor piercing/tracer); BP-460A (HEAT shaped charge); OF-462 and OF-471 (HE fragmentation) |
| Muzzle velocity: | 2560 ft/s |
| Maximum effective range: | 9 miles indirect fire; 900m direct-fire |
| Stowed main gun rounds: | 28 |
| Gun depression/elevation: | 3 to +20 degrees |
| Secondary armament: | DshK model 1938 12.7 mm machine gun, co-axial DT 7.62 mm machine gun, DT 7.62 mm close defence machine gun |
| Armor: | 90-120 mm hull front, 90-95 mm hull sides, 60 mm hull rear, 160 mm turret front, 100 mm turret rear sides, 90 mm turret rear. |