Soviet Union's BA-6 armored cars
Design
The BA-6 armored car was the replacement for the BA-3.1 The BA-6 was 2,205 lb / 1,000 kg lighter and the suspension was stronger.1
The BA-6 body was constructed from riveted and welded construction on a shortened GAZ AAA chassis.1
Rear Wheels
A track could be placed over the rear sets of dual wheels which would turn it into a form of a half track.1 This allowed for the BA-6 to have better cross country abilities.1
Turret
The BA-6 shared the same turret as the T-26 light tank.1
Production
- BA-6: 3661
- BA-6M: 201
- Total: 3861
Variants
- BA-6: Developed in 1935.1
- BA-6 Railway Model: Had hydraulic jacks mounted in the front and rear that would lift the vehicle so that railway wheels could be installed.1 The wheels would be installed over the tires.1 Took 30 minutes to switch wheel modes.1
- BA-6M: Developed in 1936.1 The engine used was the GAZ M1.1 Turret was all welded.1 Only 50 rounds carried.1 There was a 71-TK-1 radio.1
Usage
Spanish Civil War
The BA-6 was first used in combat during the Spanish Civil War.1
Russian-Chinese Border
Many of the BA-6s were stationed on the Russian-Chinese border and used against the Japanese.1
By 1945 none were still in service.1
| BA-6 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 41 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 5 tons1 5,080 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 16' 1"1 4.9 m1 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 7' 9"1 2.36 m1 |
| Width | 6' 9"1 2.07 m1 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 45 mm M-19321 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 1: 0.3" DT MG1 1: 7.62 mm DT MG1 |
| MG - coaxial | 1: 0.3" MG1 1: 7.62 mm MG1 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 601 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 91 |
| Hull Front, Upper | |
| Hull Front, Lower | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | |
| Hull Rear | |
| Hull Top | |
| Hull Bottom | |
| Turret Front | |
| Turret Sides | |
| Turret Rear | |
| Turret Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | GAZ AA1 |
| Cylinders | 41 |
| Net HP | 401 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | Petrol1 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | |
| Max speed | 27 mph1 43 kph1 |
| Cross country speed | |
| Road radius | |
| Cross country range | 124 miles1 200 km1 |
| 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:
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
