The BT-42 first appeared in February 1943. Its design was based on two features, the availability of captured Soviet BT-7 tanks and 114mm British howitzers donated during the Winter War. The 114mm was a standard howitzer dating from 1918 and was not well suited for tank use. BT-42s were first used at river Svir in 1943 buy eventually withdrawn from service during Summer 1944.