T-100

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The T-100 was a tank developed by the Russians in 1934 and 1935. The T-100 was designed to be a Russian heavy tank and was a member of "Lenin's Monsters," a group of heavy tanks produced by Leningrad Locomotive Works. The project was initiated by Joseph Stalin based from his self-stated preference to heavy weapons and armor (like the T-34) as opposed to faster, lighter tanks (such as the Sherman).

The T-100 (pictured) and SMK were competing designs originally specified with five turrets, reduced to three, and finally built with two.

The tank sported two turrets placed on an elongated tank chassis. One of the turrets was placed at a lower elevation than the other, thus giving the front turret a limited area of fire, while the top turret was able to turn a full 360 degrees, supposedly compensating for the limited use of the first. Both of the turrets were mounted on an elongated tank chassis. The main design concept was supposedly derived from the multiple turrets of the Vickers A1E1 tank made by the British. A modified version, the SMK Heavy Tank, was of similar design but with a considerably lower weight.

The tank design was tested in the Russian invasion of Finland in 1939 with limited success. It was never put into full production not only because of its restricted secondary turret, but also because of its low top-speed, which made it prone to heavy enemy fire. The niche of the T-100 was later filled by the heavier KV series.

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