Combat vehicles / Reconnaissance / BA-64
BA-64
General Facts
- TYPE
Reconnaissance vehicle - ORIGIN
USSR - NICKNAMES
Bobik (Russian service nickname) - DESIGNED
1941 - 1942 - DESIGNER
GAZ - PRODUCTION
1942 - 1943 (BA-64)
1943 - 1946 (BA-64B) - PRODUCERS
USSR - GAZ - QUANTITY
A total of 3.901 BA-64 and 5.209 BA-64B produced. - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Low production costs
Good mobility for WW2 standards
Operated under armor protection
Limited firepower
Stability issues
Introduction
The BA-64 is a small World War 2 era reconnaissance vehicle. It was developed for Soviet forces to support infantry and provide reconnaissance. Compared to other Soviet armored cars the BA-64 was smaller, less costly and highly mobile, although it lacked firepower.
Layout
The original BA-64 was based on the GAZ-61 jeep, the later BA-64B is based on the GAZ-67B chassis. The BA-64 features a monocoque armored hull that protects the engine bay and crew compartment. The crew is reduced to a driver and a gunner. A small armored one man turret is fitted on top, allowing the single machine gun to be fired under armor protection.
Firepower
The vast majority of BA-64 are fitted with a single 7.62mm DT machine gun in a one man turret. The machine gun has a high elevation angle for anti-aircraft use. The 7.62mm DT is of little use against aircraft but the elevation proved very useful in urban combat. The BA-64D variant was armed with a 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun, making it much more effective against infantry, light armored vehicles and aircraft.
Protection
The 12mm steel monocoque hull and turret armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. The sloped armor results in a good weight vs protection ratio. The wheels are easily punctured by small arms fire, reducing mobility significantly. An NBC system and smoke grenade dischargers are both lacking.
Mobility
The 4x4 chassis provides a reasonable cross county ability and good performance on roads. The 50 hp gasoline engine allows for a maximum road speed of 80 km/h. The original BA-64 was top heavy and easily turned over in rough terrain. This problem was solved in the improved BA-64B.
Users
The BA-64 was widely used by Soviet forces during World War 2. It was used for a short period after World War 2, but was soon replaced by the BRDM-1 and other vehicles. The BA-64 was exported to several nations with good ties to the USSR. Nowadays it only remains in service in North Korea.
BA-64
Production models:
BA-64: Original production version based on GAZ-61 jeep chassis. Produced from 1942 - 1943.
BASh-64: Command version with rearranged rear compartment.
BA-64B: Improved BA-64 based on GAZ-67B jeep chassis. Produced from 1943 to 1946.
BA-64D: BA-64B with redesigned turret to house the more powerful 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun. Introduced in 1944 and also known as BA-64DShK.
Prototype models:
BA-64D: Armored personnel carrier for transport assault troops on the battlefield.
BA-64ZhD: Railroad version with train wheels mounted at the front and rear.
BA-64SKh: Snow mobile with tracks rear and skis at the front.
Type | Reconnaissance vehicle |
---|---|
Crew | 2 (driver, gunner) |
Length | 3.67 m |
Width | 1.69 m |
Height | 1.89 m |
Ground clearance | 0.21 m |
Weight | 2.45 t combat load |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Wheeled chassis, 4x4 |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | GAZ M1 4-cylinder, 54 hp |
Power ratio | 21.3 hp/t |
---|---|
Transmission | Manual, 4 forward, 1 reverse |
Speed | 80 km/h on road |
Fuel | 110 L |
Range | 560 km on road, 300 km cross country |
Wall | ? |
Trench | ? |
Gradient | 30% gradient |
Fording | 0.9 m |
Armor | Steel |
NBC equipment | No |
Night vision | No |
---|---|
Smoke | No |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 7.62mm DT machine gun |
Weapon1 | 7.62mm DT machine gun in turret 1.070 rounds manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon2 | - |
Weapon3 | - |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |
Type | Reconnaissance vehicle |
---|---|
Crew | 2 (driver, gunner) |
Length | 3.67 m |
Width | 1.52 m |
Height | 1.88 m |
Ground clearance | 0.21 m |
Weight | 3.36 t combat load |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Wheeled chassis, 4x4 |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | GAZ MM 4-cylinder, 54 hp |
Power ratio | 22.9 hp/t |
---|---|
Transmission | Manual, 4 forward, 1 reverse |
Speed | 80 km/h on road |
Fuel | 110 L |
Range | 560 km on road, 300 km cross country |
Wall | ? |
Trench | ? |
Gradient | ? |
Fording | 0.9 m |
Armor | Steel |
NBC equipment | No |
Night vision | No |
---|---|
Smoke | No |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 7.62mm DT machine gun |
Weapon1 | 7.62mm DT machine gun in turret 1.260 rounds manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon2 | - |
Weapon3 | - |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |