BIG BOYZ TOYZ
TECH SPECS
Design
Externally the BRDM-2 was designed with a
box-like hull and boat-like bow to improve its
amphibious capabilities. It was designed with
a crew of four in mind (a driver, co-driver,
commander and gunner). There are two pairs
of chain-driven belly wheels which allowed
trench crossing when lowered by the driver.
An early centralised tyre pressure regulation
system was also fitted to help when crossing
various types of terrain. This can be used
to adjust the tyre pressures in all four tires
at once or individually to suit the terrain as
required. The engine (a GAZ-41, 140hp V8
petrol) is situated at the rear and separated
from the crew compartment by an armoured
barrier. An NBC filter system was fitted too.
The armour on the vehicle itself is
composed of welded steel, with a maximum
thickness of 14mm, that protects fully from
small arm fire and small shell fragments.
However it cannot withstand hits from .50
calibre rounds or larger armaments. As with
all wheeled vehicles of this vintage the tyres
are not protected and, while vulnerable to
punctures from small arms fire, the tyre
pressure regulation system could keep a
tyre inflated for up to a maximum of seven
rounds! There is also a winch mounted
internally with a 30m cable and a four-tonne
capacity. This winch was designed for use for
self-recovery when stuck in difficult terrain.
The engine also supplies power to a
circular water jet, which is equipped with a
four-bladed propeller at the rear of the hull.
This is covered by an armoured shutter while
on land which needs to be removed before
entering the water (and doubles up as extra
frontal protection when on land). The water
jet allowed a speed of 10km/h for up to 19
hours. There is a trim-board stowed under
the nose of the hull which again has to be
erected before entering the water.
For the driver and commander, who
are both seated at the front of the crew
compartment, a (supposedly) bulletproof
windscreen was provided for protection.
There are two armoured shutters which
could be lowered over the windscreen when
going into combat. When in the open position
these shutters also protected them from
being blinded by sunlight, snow or rain. For
more surround vision they could use their
periscopes, which could also be swapped
out for night vision scopes when required. To
that end, the BRDM-2 is also fitted with an IR
(infrared) spotlight and four IR driving lights.
The turret (BPU-1) was originally designed
for the BRDM-2, but this design was also
widely used in other later Soviet vehicles.
It is unusual in its design as there is no top
hatch. The turret allowed the two weapons
systems (a 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine
gun and a coaxial mounted 7.62mm PKT)
to elevate between -5 to +30 degrees. F