Type 58 Main Battle Tank (1951)

Chinese P.L.A. (1951)
Medium Tank – Production: around 800

The Chinese T-34-85

In the early 1950’s, the Chinese-Soviet relations were high, and they received a shipment of some 1837 tanks. Some 400 were passed later to their north korean ally then full involved in the conflict, before sending proper Chinese T-34/85s in turn in Korea, by 1952. Battle records were at first clearly in favor of the T-34/85s thrown against US-Forces light tanks like the M24 Chaffee. However, after massive reinforcements, the tide gradually turned in favor of the US M46 Patton and British Centurion. A 1954 survey from the Operations Research Office report stated that on 119 tank versus tank engagements, 38 US tanks were knocked-out by the T-34. Later one, records shows less encounters of the type, most NK T-34s have been then captured or destroyed, and the Chinese T-34s were employed peale-meal in support of the infantry.

Characteristics of the Type 58

The T-34/85 was a simple and crude model relatively to copy without extensive labor skills or complex tooling. For this reason it was found perfect, with Soviet engineers as consultants, for the first Chinese domestic large-scale production of a sizeable Tank. This was in the early 1950s, and the Type 58 was basically similar in all directions to the Soviet model, almost without alterations. They came with two models of roadwheels and supplies from USSR, which then just stopped the production and started some limited upgrades. However, the Type 58 from a clone, began to differ in some ways, along two series of upgrades. The first saw the adoption of the next Type 59 MBT sights, and redesigned cupola. The Type 58-I was fitted with dome-type commander’s hatches and an HMG mount, while the Type 58-II was given an additional cupola also fitted with an HMG mount.

Derivatives:

T-34-ARV

The former T-34/85 still extant were later phased out gradually when the Type 58 appeared, some became in effect T-34 Tank Recovery Vehicles, just like their Soviet-built cousins (others were bought). It is not known if they took part later in the Korean conflict, or if phased out Type 58s were also converted in the 60s.

The Type 65

The Type 63/65 was the first Chinese SPAAG (AA) vehicle. It was developed from the Type 58 or earlier with the T-34/85 in the early 60s when this model was gradually phased out. The major change was a turretless configuration with a steel platform secured by 27 bolts to the hull, above the turret ring, where a twin Type 63 Dual 37mm was fitted, and a lightly armoured squared enclosure around as a “turret”, with a slight chamfer. The platform could traverse fully, helped by a gearbox. The gun itself was hand-cranked for traverse and elevation, which spanned from 5 to 85°. There was also a large metal ammunition storage container fastened to the side. Since it was an open-top configuration, crew safety was obviously in jeopardy. But it was a potent armed system to go along Chinese Armoured divisions, although it was produced for the North Vietnamese army. One was captured and was for some time at the Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Operational history

Apparently no Type 58 was ever recorded as part of offensive units operating in North korea by 1954. The ex-Soviet T-34/85s were considered more “expendable” in this way. They formed the bulk of the Chinese armoured divisions until being replaced by the newly Chinese-built T-54s, named Type 59. The latter was built inside a brand new plant entirely constructed with Soviet help. The Type 59 formed the very basis of several PLA’s MBTs designs. The Type 58 was only apparently only engaged in combat, (probably Type 58-II in limited numbers) in the Sino-Soviet border conflict with USSR, where the bulk of Chinese forces were made of Type 59 and Type 62.

Links on the Type 58

Generic Chinese tanks lineage on wikipedia…

A Type 58-I, early, in maneuvers along the Korean border, late 1950s.

An early Type 58-II. The turret is turned to see the searchlight fasteners.

A type 58-IIM (modernized) deployed during the Sino-Soviet border conflict of 1969.

Gallery