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Soviet Union's BA-20 armored car:
BA-20 |
BA-20 |
BA-20 |
BA-20 Sh.d |
BA-20M |
BA-20V |
BA-20V |
Design
Development of the BA-20 started in 1934 at the GAZ factory.2
There was an escape hatch installed in the floor of the BA-20 which was a first for a Soviet armored car.2
Crew
The driver of the BA-20's vision block had bullet proof glass.2
Chassis
The GAZ M1 chassis was used for the BA-20.2 The chassis was modified to handle the weight of the BA-20.2 The rear axle was new and the suspension was improved.2 A new differential was installed as well.2
Wheels
The wheels were bullet proof.2
Prototype
The BA-20 prototype went under trials in 1935.2
Production
Full production of the BA-20 started in 1935.2
The chassis of the BA-20 (a GAM M1 chassis) was produced at the Novgorod factory.2 The body, and final assembly, was built at Vyksinskiy.2
- BA-20: 4,800
Variants
- BA-20:
- BA-20M: All welded. Aerial on left side of hull. Thicker armor.2 Turret improved.2
- BA-20V: Aerial frame around hull.
- BA-20 Sh.d (Shelesnaya Doroga): Modified to run on railways.
- BA-20 ZhD Drezine: Wheels could be changed to run on rails.2 A tow link could be fitted to the spare wheel holder to allow for a train to tow the BA-20 ZhD.2
Usage
The BA-20's performance cross country was very good and it could handle marshy ground well.2
From 1936 to 1942 the BA-20 was in use.2 The BA-20M was used from 1938 to 1942.2
Khalkhin Gol
The first combat for the BA-20 was against the Japanese at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939.2
Invasion of Poland
BA-20s were used in the invasion of Poland.2
Russian-Finnish War
BA-20s were used against the Finns in the Russian-Finnish war.2 The Finns captured some of the BA-20s used against them.2
German Use
The Germans used many of the BA-20 ZhDs for patrolling the rail lines and anti-partisan duties.2
| BA-20 | BA-20M | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver 21,2 Command version: 32 |
31,2 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 7,168 lb 2.3 tons2, 2.5 tons1 |
5,600 lb |
| Length w/gun | 12' 2.5", 13' 5"2 4.1 m2, 4.31 m1 |
14' 1.5" |
| Length w/o gun | ||
| Height | 6' 4", 7' 6"2 2.13 m1, 2.3 m2 |
7' 1" |
| Width | 5' 6", 5' 9"2 1.75 m1, 1.8 m2 |
5' 9" |
| Ground clearance | ||
| Ground contact length | ||
| Ground pressure | ||
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | ||
| Main | 0.3" MG2 7.62 mm DT MG1 7.62 mm MG2 |
|
| Secondary | ||
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Main | ||
| Secondary | ||
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 62 Front: 61 Side: 61 |
|
| Hull Front, Upper | 10 | |
| Hull Front, Lower | ||
| Hull Sides, Upper | ||
| Hull Sides, Lower | ||
| Hull Rear | ||
| Hull Top | ||
| Hull Bottom | 9 | |
| Turret Front | ||
| Turret Sides | ||
| Turret Rear | ||
| Turret Top | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | GAZ M12 | |
| Cylinders | 42 | |
| Cooling | Water | |
| Net HP | 501,2 | |
| Transmission | ||
| Fuel type | Petrol2 | |
| Octane | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | 360° | |
| Max speed | 47 mph, 56 mph2 85 kph1, 90 kph2 |
55mph |
| Cross country speed | ||
| Road radius | 208 miles, 220 miles2 350 km2 |
212 miles |
| Cross country range | ||
| Turning radius | ||
| Elevation limits | ||
| Fording depth | ||
| Trench crossing | ||
| Vertical Obstacle | ||
| Suspension (Type) | ||
| Wheels each side | ||
| Return rollers each side | ||
| Track length | ||
| Tires | ||
| Track width | ||
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
