Steel Soviet Union

In the original existing history, Morozov had sufficient time to improve the T34 medium tank and develop the next generation T44 medium tank.

The large number of tigers and leopards invested by the German army in the Battle of Kursk did sound a warning to the Soviet army, but the number of tigers and leopards in the existing history was not that many at all. The T34 dealt with the main force No. 3 and 4, which accounted for the vast majority of the German armored forces. At this time, it still has irrefutable huge advantages.

In short, although the German big cats first appeared during the Battle of Kursk, they did not have a decisive impact on the battle situation. To put it simply, the number was too small to cause a qualitative change.

But now, in this historical timeline that has been tampered with by Malashenko and changed beyond recognition, the lineup of the German armored forces is beyond imagination compared to the original history. In particular, the total number of tiger and leopard groups has reached a level that is enough to trigger a qualitative change. The almost overturning of the Battle of Prokhorovka is the best proof.

Morozov, who had no chance to receive "instructions" from Malashenko, was under tremendous pressure, and the orders issued to him by his superiors were unprecedented.

The requirement to immediately improve the existing T34 medium tanks and complete the upgrade is placed at the top of the priority list. In order to allow the frontline troops to have enough tanks to cope with the war situation in the short term, they must at least be able to fight against the German big cats. Strength, not just giving away people and improving the record.

On the other hand, Morozov, who realized that improving the T34 could only solve an urgent need, but was not a long-term solution, also accelerated the design progress of a new medium tank on his own. He must be able to come up with a tank that can compete with the German army. A new medium tank that rivals the Leopard tank in terms of combat capabilities.

It is very bold and challenging to design two tanks at the same time. Morozov has never faced such a situation before, let alone bear such huge pressure.

But sometimes there are things that must be done regardless of people's subjective will. As a Communist Party member with strong faith and will, Morozov knows and understands this.

With Morozov taking the lead, leading by example, and leading the entire team to fight hard day and night, in the second month after the Battle of Kursk, the first truly full-size new medium-sized vehicle with a turret and main gun was installed. The tank prototype was manufactured, and Project 136 made a breakthrough.

Relevant testing work began quickly, and a total of three prototype vehicles of Project 136 were successively manufactured and put into testing.

Because it is a rush work, it also adopts many new designs that are different from T34.

The three new prototypes of Project 136 all showed varying degrees of problems during testing. The turret steering gear of this vehicle did not work, the heat dissipation system of that vehicle was problematic, and the gearbox of another vehicle collapsed during the high-speed cornering test. Gear, lie down on the spot.

Morozov, who could predict that problems would inevitably arise in the test, was not discouraged and led the design team to recover three prototype vehicles to continue improving and prepare for the next test.

It was at this time that Comrade Kotin, Morozov's nemesis and competitor and Malashenko's good brother, finally learned some specific details about Project 136 through his informants.

"Three prototypes broke during testing? Are you sure?"

The informant who came to give Kogin a personal report nodded. Under Morozov, his position was a workshop director. On the day of the prototype test, he happened to be assigned to the scene to observe and learn, and witnessed it with his own eyes on the sidelines of the test venue. It tells the whole process and every detail of the failure of three prototype cars.

"It seems that our Comrade Morozov has encountered some troubles. I thought he had some amazing super design. It seems that I overestimated him."

After hearing the news, Kogin felt more and more comfortable. A proud smile appeared on his lips. Seeing that Morozov, a guy who always competed with him for the allocation of production resources, was embarrassed, Kogin felt an indescribable feeling in his heart. of pleasure.

But what Comrade Kotin did not realize is that without the blessing of Malashenko, an uncertain factor, which can even be said to be a "humanoid self-propelled plug-in", his heavy tanks would have had a different relationship with Moro in their original history. The design projects that Zoff is responsible for can be said to be neck-and-neck. The two are competing with each other, and there is almost no big difference.

Kotin's achievements today are closely related to Malashenko's intervention and guidance, but Kotin was not aware of all this at all.

Seeing that his old rival was defeated, Ke Jin felt unhappy but it would be false.

But at the same time that he was happy due to competition, Kotin felt that Morozov's design progress was a bit too slow.

After all, in the final analysis, we are all comrades and a family fighting under the same red flag. If Morozov cannot figure out the design plan for a long time, the war on the front line will inevitably be affected and become even worse. It's not impossible.

It is important to keep the lead, but it is best not to let Morozov fall too far behind. Heavy tanks alone cannot win the battle.

In view of this, after careful consideration, Kotin immediately made an unprecedented bold decision: this time he wanted to give Morozov a hand, at least to make him barely keep up with his own rhythm.

Having made up his mind, Kogin immediately sent someone to send some design drawings and samples to Morozov, including the electric-driven cooling fan designed by the German lunatic August. This should help Morozov solve the problem of insufficient heat dissipation when the engine is running at full power, increase the reliability of the entire power cabin system, extend the life of the engine, and meet standards.

In addition to this set of small patents held by Kogin, the rest include but are not limited to improved gearbox design, new planetary gears used on IS6 heavy tanks, heavy tanks led by Shashmulin Level electric steering gear design scheme.

Morozov, who was busy improving the deficiencies, was a little surprised to find that the things Kotin sent him for the first time were almost all targeted medicines and corresponded to the problems that occurred in his prototype car during testing. This was simply incredible. !

Although he was puzzled as to why Kotin did this and for what purpose, Morozov, with a try attitude, still used all Kotin's design plans and used them as reference for those that could not be directly applied. Integrate and improve it into your own design to upgrade.

About a week later, the three upgraded and improved 136 Project prototypes all performed well in the second test. The most critical power system and turret servo mechanism did not have any problems. The improved design plan sent by Kejing was adopted. Proven to work.

Marshal Voroshilov, Kotin’s father-in-law and special representative of his loving father Comrade Stalin, observed the entire second test and informed Morozov on the spot of the result, “I am very satisfied!”

The approval document from Moscow arrived quickly and smoothly, and Morozov's hard work of more than half a year was rewarded.

Coincidentally, the new medium tank, which was given the official number "T-43", was finalized and put into production exactly one month later than Kotin's IS6 was announced to be finalized and put into production.

This day is November 29, 1943.