Stalin Line has built a fully operational replica of the BA-64, the most widely produced Soviet armoured car, armed with a single DT machine gun. The vehicle had a crew of just two: the commander and driver. The BA-64 built at the complex already takes part in historical reenactments depicting the second period of the Great Patriotic War.
Dmitry Dmitrievich Sholokhov’s Battle in a BA-64
The BA-64 was developed in late 1941 on the chassis of the GAZ-64 four-wheel-drive passenger car. A total of 9,069 BA-64 armoured cars, featuring various designs and armaments, were produced between April 1942 and early 1946.
As assistant chief of staff of the 158th Independent Tank Regiment, Senior Lieutenant Dmitry Sholokhov carried out reconnaissance missions near Stalingrad in a BA-64 armoured car from 20 to 27 November 1942. Near the hamlet of Verbovsky, Dmitry acted boldly and decisively, killing up to 100 German troops with machine-gun fire. He also managed to capture an enemy convoy of 50 vehicles carrying food, uniforms and ammunition and bring it back to his unit. Along with the vehicles, 107 people – drivers and soldiers escorting the cargo – were taken prisoner. On 11 December 1942, Dmitry Sholokhov was awarded the Order of the Red Star for his exemplary performance of this combat mission.
Earlier that same year, Dmitry Sholokhov’s name had already become famous throughout the country. On 30 June, near the village of Nesternoye, a KV-1 tank commanded by Dmitry knocked out 24 German tanks in a three-hour battle. Later that day, after replenishing his ammunition, Sholokhov was sent to the village of Volchya Alexandrovka, where he destroyed another tank, ten lorries and up to 100 enemy soldiers. For this feat, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin.
BA-64s were used for reconnaissance and infantry support until the very end of the war. They also served with the army of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea during the Korean War of 1950–1953.
Stages in the construction of the fully operational BA-64 replica.
Painting the completed components, turret and hull of the BA-64
Construction of the BA-64 is nearing completion, and Alexander Metla checks the operation of the rotating turret.
A visor and a hatch above the fuel-filler neck were fitted to the BA-64, and a funnel was made for refuelling. A mount for firing the machine gun at aerial targets was installed in the turret.
Elevating the machine gun on its mount.
Mountings for a saw, shovel and axe were fitted to the BA-64. The rotating column was connected to the machine-gun turret.
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The machine-gun turret was completed and installed on the BA-64.
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Installing the rotating column used by the commander to traverse the machine-gun turret.
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Manufacturing and mounting the crowbar, jack, pistol firing ports, mudguards and engine armour on the hull.
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Refining the turret’s rotating column, securing the commander’s seat to it, and manufacturing and installing the hatch doors.
Manufacturing hinges for the hatches and stops for the rotating turret.
A seat was fitted inside the BA-64, and the steering column and instrument panel were secured. Alexander Metla tried out the driver’s position.
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A machine-gun turret was made for the BA-64, an opening for its turret ring was cut into the roof, and mudguards were fitted above the wheels.
Construction of the BA-64’s upper hull sides and roof
Construction of the BA-64’s lower hull sides
A GAZ-69 four-wheel-drive vehicle was used to build the BA-64 at Stalin Line.
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