In an extremity of the 40-th years the development of the easy prospecting tank which is capable to overcome water barriers began. The development of the tank PT-76 was finished by collective under a management of N. Shamshurin. After tests in 1951 tank was accepted in arms. For the first time in world tank building on it(him) have applied waterm. engine. Due to it(him) and hermetic tank welded(cooked) from armored sheets, have the form ensuring the least resistance for want of movement(traffic) in water, PT-76 does not require preliminary preparation, has a sufficient buoyancy. Two waterm. engines are located on sides in fodder branch and are actuated from internal reduction gearboxes of a selection of a power of engine. the water acts on a jet principle - soaked up by the pump in a source pipe will be rejected through a fodder branch pipe have a dampfer and a pipe of a back course(!during). To protect a drive from hit in him(it) of water, on the tank there is a mechanism of a guard: valving boxes, crane(valve) of a cut-off aircleaner, valve of a drain of water and drive of management. The tank is simple and is reliable in operation. At updating PT-76B (1962) tank with large displacement and protective system from the weapon of a mass defeat. The additional internal fuel tanks have increased a stock of a course(!during). The gun D-56TS has received a stabilizer in two planes. PT-76M has received other tank of the greater displacement. PT-76 equipped with gears of night vision and fire-prevention equipment. PT-76 issues in 1951 - 1987. PT-76 the participants of the Warsaw Agreement were delivered and abroad, in particular(personally), in Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Syria, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Cube, and also in some countries -.

The tanks PT-76 participated in battle(dashing) operations in Vietnam and in the India-Pakistan conflicts. On a sample PT-76 in Peoples Republic of China issue the a little bit changed tank «Type-63». « The Type 63 » is heavier PT-76, but is more high-speed (64 km/h) and has the greater specific power because of 400-force of a drive. The tank is executed from welded armored sheets. Frontal sheets «63» thiner, than on PT-76. The suspension - torsional, 6 without rubber basic tracks, driving wheels - back. In Israel trophy PT-76 have armed American 90-mm gun new by a machine gun and control system of fire with a laser range finder and night gears.