BA-20
Light armoured car (1936-42) Soviet Union - 1567 built
Based on the FAI-M
By 1934, UMM RKKA expressed the need for a light armoured vehicle, with better driving characteristics than the FAI. This coincided with the end of the production of the GAZ-A original commercial chassis. The task of developing the BA-20, on the chassis of the M-1, was initiated in early 1935 by the Izhorskogo plant design bureau.The chassis choice was motivated by improved performance on rough roads and soft ground. The GAZ-M1 was mass produced from February-March 1936 at the Gorky Automobile Plant. This was a licensed copy of the U.S. Ford V8-40, coupled with the GAZ-M engine, a copy of the Ford BB engine. Izhorsky engineers, to meet the required deadlines, adapted the body of the previous FAI with only a few changes. Location of doors, hatches, vision slits and spare wheel were left unchanged. However, the modified body and heavier chassis increased total weight to 2270 kg. The turret was the same as the FAI, slightly modified with an elevation of -13/+23°.
The first prototypes were ready in May 1936, and arrived in June at the NIBT proving grounds for comprehensive testing. The more powerful engine allowed a higher 95.5 km\h (59 mph) top speed, and range of 704 km (437 mi) on normal road and 558 km (346) off-road, at cruising speed. Off-road capabilities were better than the FAI, verified after a 5000 km (3100 mi) test course in July. According to the commission, only two major drawbacks were found, lack of vision at speeds above 15 km/h (9 mph) and weak armament. Proposals were formulated for a heavy DC (12.7 mm/0.5 in) coupled with an extra light DT machine-gun.
Production
Production was taken over by Vyksa DRO. Already, in July 1936, this plant was producing the BA-20 in parallel with modified FAI-Ms. 33 BA-20s were out by December. In March and April 1937, engineers Miroshin and Suhov developed a new "elevated bulletproof" cone-shaped turret. Of the same thickness, the increased slope made it better at deflecting bullets. However the factory was not able to deliver the ordered 300 armoured vehicles in time. The absence of the new conical turrets added delays. By October 1st, only 15 vehicles with the new turret had been delivered, the others being fitted with older turrets. There was also a shortage of bullet-proof type HA tires, produced by the "Red Triangle" factory of Yaroslavl and rubber-asbestos plant. By the end of 1937, 252 had been delivered, including 102 with the new turrets and radio horseshoe antennae. Only in the fall of 1938 did the final version come, with additional reinforcements on the front frame and rear axle springs, increased front hull and turret armor protection, and the latest DT machine gun. The upgraded chassis received the designation GAZ-MS and the model BA-20M.Modifications
The chassis and hull increase in weight (2320 kg) dictated changes on the body, leading to a decreased height and new sloped armor plates. The Spanish experience dictated the replacement of the fixed antennae by the new whip model mounted on the starboard side. The ABTU ordered, in 1939, to begin production of an upgraded version, designated BA-20M. It was produced, for a time, in parallel with the regular BA-20 (with a cylindrical tower). Only 161 were out by the end of 1939. In 1940, this figure rose to 253, with rail running kits. In July 1940, 295 vehicles had been delivered, including 44 radio-equipped, and 6 rail-modified BA-20M and 54 regular BA-20Ms. The factory also lacked ball gun mantlets, GK bulletproof tires, radios and antennas.Many BA-20s were sent to the front with conventional pneumatic tires, no radios and an incomplete set of spare parts. The production was discontinued until March 1942 and stopped on May, 16. Additional parts and chassis allowed for an extra batch completed afterwards. The total production, including modifications and conversions issued from 1936 to 1942 reached an estimated 1567 units (but 4800 for wwiivehicles).
Variants
The rail kit BA-20 Zhd : The kit was first studied in 1937. It consisted of a jack, additional steel cable ties for rail fixations, and presented at the beginning of 1938. It was found compatible with the FAI kit, and adopted for serial production. The increased weight of 2,780 kg reduced the top speed to 50 km\h (31 mph), but in 1939 these were placed on a separate conveyor. Most of the BA-20zhd were used for patrol, communication and intelligence, and some became part of the Red Army and NKVD armoured trains.Active service
Entering service in late 1937, the BA-20 became the main type of light armoured vehicle of the Red Army. First of all, these equipped motorized armoured reconnaissance brigades and mechanized corps, gradually replacing the FAIs. No BA-20s were sent in Spain. Their baptism of fire came in mid-1939, at Khalkhin Gol. The 57th Special Corps, with 173 FAIs and BA-20s, was stationed to protect the border with Manchuria, in the 7th, 8th and 9th IBRD. These were widely used for short-range reconnaissance, resupply and communication. On August 23, two companies of BT-7s supported by BA-20s armoured cars destroyed Japanese fuel and ammunition dumps, then defeated an IJN Cavalry Regiment, and shot down two Japanese aircraft which landed near. Losses in May-September 1939 amounted to 17 armoured cars.During the Winter War, on November 30, the 7th and 14th Army had 53 machines of this type, the 9th Army only 2, and in 8th Army, 32. A few weeks later 25 more arrived with the 34th Mechanized Brigade. Later on, at least 71 BA-20/20Ms sent as replacements to cover the combat losses. According to Soviet data losses amounted to 31 (3 by artillery fire and 28 left behind), mostly in the Karelian area.
As of June 1, 1941, some 1,424 BA-20s of all types (968 with radio) were registered in service. Most were concentrated in the Baltic, Western and Kiev Military Districts. On 23 August 1941, new tank brigades counted two light BA-20 and three BA-20M formations for recce missions. By the beginning of the Battle of Stalingrad their numbers had dwindled significantly. On the Trans-Baikal Front, on September 20, 1942, 86 light armoured vehicles (including 12 FAI/FAI-M) still served actively. Captured BA-20s were largely used by Finland (more than 30 light armoured vehicles in different conditions, including 9 BA-20s). German machines were used for intelligence purposes, and as police cars, and very few saw service with their Romanian allies.
BA-20 specifications |
|
| Dimensions (L-w-h) | 3.75 x 2 x 2.2 m (12.3x6.56x7.21 ft) |
| Total weight, battle ready | 5.14 tons |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) |
| Propulsion | 4-cyl petrol GAZ MM, 50 bhp (40 kW) |
| Speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
| Range (road/off road) | 300 km (180 mi) |
| Armament | 1 x DT 7.65 mm (0.3 in) machine-gun |
| Armor | 6 to 15 mm (0.24-0.59 in) |
| Total production | 1567 |
Reconnaissance vehicle of the 56th Tank Brigade, autumn 1941
Reconnaissance vehicle of the 54th tank Brigade, autumn 1941
BA-20RK of the the 135th Tank Brigade, summer 1941
BA-20M attached to the 20th Brigade, November 1941.
German Schienenpanzerwagen PzSp Wg202(r) in winter camouflage
Finnish BA-20, one of the nine captured and used in combat.
Possible appearance of a Chinese BA-20M.
Vehicle of the Feldgendarmerie in Russia, summer of 1944.
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