Six Wheels On My Wagon

Chema Cabrero builds Hobbybosss BA-6. [I had hoped to include this in last months issue, but production schedules meant I had to hold it over ed.]

Produced between 1936 and 1938, and as we saw last month, the Soviet medium armoured car BA-6 (Broneavtomobil 3) was a modification of the earlier BA-3. Both were based on the BA-1, the most significant difference being an improved turret (similar to the one fitted to the T-26M and BT-5 tanks). A major problem with the BA-3 had been the lack of mobility; due to its weight, the vehicle was limited to travelling on roads or hard ground. The partial solution was to carry auxiliary tracks that could be fitted over the rear tandem wheels, essentially converting the vehicle into a half-track. Perhaps a more important improvement, the BA-6 was fitted with GK tyres, filled with sponge rubber, and thus less vulnerable to small-arms fire. Inevitably, however, this resulted in reduced speed and range of the vehicle.

Both the BA-3 and BA-6 saw action in the Spanish Civil War, against the Japanese in the Battle of Khalkhyn Gol, in the Finnish Winter War, and against the Germans in the early stages of the Eastern Front conflict. Rapidly being outclassed by enemy weapons, the vehicles were replaced by the BA-10, which had an improved chassis and greater armour protection. In fact, it was intended that this too would be upgraded with a more-efficient diesel engine and more-sophisticated armour design. Earmarked as the BA-11, production was halted, due to priority now being given to tank construction.

The Model