BA-10

BA-10
Country	Soviet Union
Type	Armored car
Produced	1938-1941
Built	3311

The BA-10 (Russian: Broneavtomobil 10) was an armored car developed in the Soviet Union in 1938 and produced through 1941. It was the most produced Soviet pre-1941 heavy armored car – 3311 were built in three versions. These versions were the BA-10, the BA-10M (improved version with new radio), and the BA-10ZhD (equipped for dual railway/road use). The basic BA-10 design was developed from the BA-3 and BA-6 heavy armored cars. It had an improved GAZ-AAA chassis and improved armor (up to 15mm at front and turret). It was intended that the BA-10 would be replaced in 1941 by the BA-11 with diesel engine and more sophisticated armor design, but the outbreak of war prevented BA-11 production. The BA-10 was in Red Army service until 1945. Significant numbers of captured BA-10s were used by Finland (at least 24), Germany and other Axis powers in Europe.

Source: BA-10 on Wikipedia

Broneavtomobil BA-10 Walk Around
Photographer	Unknow
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	14

BA-10 Broneavtomobil 2

BA-10 Broneavtomobil 1

BA-10 Broneavtomobil 4

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BA-10 Broneavtomobil 6

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BA-10 Broneavtomobil 8

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BA-10 Broneavtomobil 9

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The Evolution of the Heavy Armored Car

The BA-10 was the most produced Soviet heavy armored car of the pre-WWII era. Developed in 1938 at the Izhorsky Plant, it was an improvement over the earlier BA-3 and BA-6 models. By mounting the turret and 45mm gun of a T-26 or BT-5 tank onto a reinforced 6×4 GAZ-AAA truck chassis, the Soviets created a vehicle that possessed the firepower of a light tank but with the operational mobility of a wheeled vehicle. It was the backbone of Soviet motorized units during the invasion of Poland, the Winter War, and the early stages of Operation Barbarossa.

Attribute	Technical Specification (BA-10M)
Role	Heavy Armored Car / Reconnaissance
Crew	4 (Commander/Gunner, Loader, Driver, Hull Gunner)
Main Armament	45 mm 20-K tank gun (49 rounds)
Secondary Armament	2 × 7.62 mm DT machine guns (Coaxial and Hull)
Armor Thickness	10 mm to 15 mm (Frontal)
Chassis	Modified GAZ-AAA 6×4 truck
Powerplant	GAZ-M1 4-cylinder petrol (50 hp)
Max Road Speed	52 km/h (approx. 32 mph)
Operational Range	260–300 km (Roads)

Design Features and Off-Road Solutions

The “Overall” Tracks: To compensate for poor off-road performance on soft ground, the BA-10 carried a pair of “Overall” auxiliary tracks stowed over the rear fenders. These could be fitted over the dual rear wheels in about 10 minutes, effectively turning the vehicle into a temporary half-track.
Step-Down Reduction Gear: The BA-10 utilized a specialized 4-speed transmission with a reduction gear, allowing it to crawl through difficult terrain that would stall a standard truck.
Sloped Armor: Unlike earlier boxy designs, the BA-10 featured significantly sloped armor plates on the front and sides, which improved the effective thickness and helped deflect small-arms fire and shell splinters.
Spare Wheels as Rollers: The two spare wheels were mounted on the sides of the hull in a way that allowed them to rotate freely. This helped prevent the vehicle from “high-centering” or bottoming out when crossing trenches or steep crests.

Operational History

Khalkhin Gol (1939): The BA-10 proved highly effective against Japanese armor. Its 45mm gun could easily penetrate Japanese Type 95 light tanks at ranges where the Japanese guns could not retaliate.
The 1941 Catastrophe: Thousands were lost during the German invasion. While its gun remained lethal, its thin armor and high silhouette made it a “glass cannon.” It was easily destroyed by German 3.7cm PaK 36 anti-tank guns.
German Use (Beutepanzer): The Wehrmacht captured hundreds of BA-10s, redesignating them as the Pz.Sp.Wg. 203(r). They were widely used for anti-partisan duties in the rear areas and by the Waffen-SS.
Final Years: By 1942, production shifted toward the smaller, 4×4 BA-64. The surviving BA-10s were relegated to second-line units, training, or had their turrets removed to serve as armored personnel carriers or tractors.