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BA-3 & BA-6 Heavy Armored Car

BA-6 Armored Car

Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by:	BA-3: Russia BA-6: Russia, Germany and Turkey (with very small numbers serving with Afghanistan, China & Mongolia)
First Produced/Service Dates:	BA-3: 1934-1935 (160 Vehicles) BA-6: 1935-1939 (386 Vehicles)
Manufactured by:	Izhorskiy Zavod (Some BA-6 hulls may have been built by Vyska Zavod)
Crew:	4
Armament:	Main: (1) 45mm M-1932 Cannon; Co-Axial: (1) 7.62mm DT Machine Gun; Hull: (1) 7.62mm DT MG
Engine:	4 Cylinder Petrol (GAZ-AA 40 hp)
Miscellaneous Info:	The BA-3 and BA-6 armored cars have been combined into one vehicle index due to their similarity; specifically their almost identical outward appearance. The BA-3 succeeded the BA-I armored car in production and was thought to have been built on the GAZ-AAA truck chassis.  However, some Russian sources state the BA-3 was actually built on the Ford-Timken Truck Chassis, like its predecessor.  After being in production for only a short period, the BA-3 was soon followed by the BA-6 armored car; which was definitely built on the GAZ-AAA chassis.  The BA-6 was essentially an improved version of the BA-3, incorporating the following major changes: additional hull armor, strengthened suspension, and upgraded transmission.  Even with these substantial improvements, the BA-6 weighed LESS than the BA-3 and was thusly more capable. The BA-6M, an improved version of the BA-6, was then produced in 1936 but it seems only one was built.  Although the BA-6M was almost a footnote in history, its design directly led to the development of the more capable BA-10A Heavy Armored Car in 1938.  Even though the BA-6 was replaced by the BA-10A in the late 1930's, it was still in service well into the middle of World War Two (1943-1944) and was used by both Soviet and German forces. In fact, the Germans captured so many BA-6, BA-10A & BA-10M's that they created an official designation for them: the Panzerspahwagen BA-203(r). As the BA-3 and BA-6 vehicles are almost identical in appearance, there are only a few ways of differentiating between the two types; and the cues are sometimes hard to discern.  One visual difference between the two types is that the BA-6 is fitted with a front "scuttle" under the radiator which improves airfrow into the engine for cooling purposes.  The BA-3 does not have the scuttle.  A second visual difference between the two types is that in most cases the BA-3s were fitted with a door on right side of the hull rear and the BA-6's were not.  However, you must note that some very early production BA-6 vehicles were also fitted with the rear door. The only official sub-variant of either the BA-3 or BA-6 armored car was the BA-6 ZhD Rail Scout Car. The ZhD was equipped with normal road wheels as well as flanged rail wheels.  These two wheel sets could be exchanged when needed so the vehicle could switch between running on the roads and the rails.  Finally, although not an official variant of either the BA-3 or BA-6, the Spanish based their Chevrolet M1937 armored car on the general design of the Soviet vehicles.
Data Sheet Available:	None Available

Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
BA-3 Heavy Armored Car Photo	Public Domain
BA-6 Heavy Armored Car Photos	Erik Ahlstrom - Sweden

References Available

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Model Photos