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USSR - Armoured Cars BA-64 Variants |
BA-64E
The success of the German APC's forced the Soviets to develop a transport variant of the BA-64.
The BA-64E armored personal carrier was an open top BA-64. On October 22, 1942, the first test were produced. There was a rear hull door and the roof remained only over the driver. The new 55-litres fuel tank was relocated to the left side and put under the bench. New vehicles were to be armed with the 7.62 mm Degtyarev's machine-gun.
Further work was delayed until the March 1943. At that time the second variant was built. It received the BA-64E designation. The short trials revealed the main disadvantage: it was difficult to leave the vehicle.
In mid-March, the third variant of the BA-64E was built. It had better crew (6 men) layout. By the 3rd April, the fourth variant was built. It was based on BA-64B. The sides were higher and the pair embrasures were made on each side. The DT was removed though armament of the BA-64E was discussed for a quite long time and attempts to arm the BA-64E with the light 37 mm ChK-M-1 gu were made.
By the end 1943, GAZ manufactured three BA-64E and sent them to the regular army for trials. Two vehicles were sent to the 3rd Guards Tank Army, and one BA-64E - to the 7'th Mechanized Corps. Both units returned a negative response: too cramped, too uncomfortable. Using their response, GAZ produced another three APC's. Each would carry 4 infantrymen.
He chose one of them and offered to install the powerful radio 12-RTM. As the result, the new staff vehicle has been created. After the minor improvements that vehicle was showed to a special commission of the Tank Forces of the Red Army. In some literature, that vehicles named BASh-64 ("Sh" means "shtabnaya" - staff). Despite of positive responses, the modification was not accepted for service due to the end of the war.
The BA-64E armored personal carrier was an open top BA-64. On October 22, 1942, the first test were produced. There was a rear hull door and the roof remained only over the driver. The new 55-litres fuel tank was relocated to the left side and put under the bench. New vehicles were to be armed with the 7.62 mm Degtyarev's machine-gun.
Further work was delayed until the March 1943. At that time the second variant was built. It received the BA-64E designation. The short trials revealed the main disadvantage: it was difficult to leave the vehicle.
In mid-March, the third variant of the BA-64E was built. It had better crew (6 men) layout. By the 3rd April, the fourth variant was built. It was based on BA-64B. The sides were higher and the pair embrasures were made on each side. The DT was removed though armament of the BA-64E was discussed for a quite long time and attempts to arm the BA-64E with the light 37 mm ChK-M-1 gu were made.
By the end 1943, GAZ manufactured three BA-64E and sent them to the regular army for trials. Two vehicles were sent to the 3rd Guards Tank Army, and one BA-64E - to the 7'th Mechanized Corps. Both units returned a negative response: too cramped, too uncomfortable. Using their response, GAZ produced another three APC's. Each would carry 4 infantrymen.
He chose one of them and offered to install the powerful radio 12-RTM. As the result, the new staff vehicle has been created. After the minor improvements that vehicle was showed to a special commission of the Tank Forces of the Red Army. In some literature, that vehicles named BASh-64 ("Sh" means "shtabnaya" - staff). Despite of positive responses, the modification was not accepted for service due to the end of the war.
