It certainly wasnt the last.
Rather, its amphibious capabilities were intended to enable it to press ahead with its scouting missions.
Then it could revert back to its scout/recon role.
These PT-76 amphibious light tanks were on parade during the Millennium of the Polish State celebration in July 1966. Image: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe
The PT-76, with very minor preparation, could make a river crossing.
Instead of the full 12 cylinders, the engine was reduced to six.
Despite its capabilities, it was also by no means the perfect tank.
A Soviet PT-76 light amphibious tank moves down the ramp of an Aist-class assault hovercraft. Image: Soviet Military Power/NARA
Thus, it was vulnerable to light cannon fire, but also heavy machine gun fire at close ranges.
The tanks main armament was a 76.2mm gun, based on the Red Armys World War II tank guns.
It was destroyed following an encounter with aU.S.
A PT-76 leads a Soviet military column during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The Red Army killed thousands of Hungarians revolting against the socialist government. Image: Fortepan
M48 Patton tank, which was supported byF-4 Phantom jet fighter bombers.
One U.S. M48A3 tank was lightly damaged while two PT-76s were destroyed in the encounter.
There is also no record of any PT-76s being deployed to Afghanistan.
Polish soldiers operate a PT-76 amphibious tank in a river crossing exercise. Image: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe
Soviet Naval Infantry PT-76 amphibious tanks deployed from a Ropucha class tank landing ship during a naval demonstration for the officers and crew of two visiting U.S. Navy ships in 1990. Image: NARA
A Polish Army PT-76 amphibious tank in training maneuver near Warsaw in 1971. Image: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe
A Soviet marine stands with an arm on his PT-76 light amphibious tank, on display for visiting U.S. Navy ships during a goodwill visit in 1989. Image: PH2 Mark Kettenhofen/U.S. Navy
A Red Army PT-76 moves through Budapest during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The Soviet Union invaded Hungary to support the socialist regime. They killed roughly 3,000 Hungarians. Image: Fortepan
Three Soviet Union tanks on the streets of Budapest to put down a democratic revolution in Hungary. From left to right: PT-76, T-34 and IS-3. Image: Fortepan
This North Vietnamese PT-76 was destroyed by U.S. troops at Ben Het in 1969. Image: U.S. Army
Aerial view of two disabled North Vietnamese Army (NVA) PT-76 light tanks. American troops destroyed these vehicles. Image: Australian War Museum/CC BY 3.0 AU
A Soviet PT-76 on display with desert camo. While it might be counter-intuitive, there are many countries in largely arid environments that used the PT-76 including Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Image: NARA
A PT-76 reconnaissance tank leads Polish Army armored vehicles during a Millennium of the Polish State parade in July 1966. Image: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe
