BA-11 at Stalin Line

On 22 February 2020, work began at Stalin Line on the construction of a fully operational replica of the Soviet BA-11 heavy armoured car, armed with a 45 mm gun and two DT machine guns.

Following successful road trials, the BA-11 was dismantled and sandblasted to remove rust before being primed and painted. On 31 August 2020, after a radio set and ball mount for a DT machine gun had been installed, work on the armoured car was completed.

 

20 July 2020. Following installation of the gun, work began on the details.
 
Construction of the armoured mantlet for the gun and turret. The BA-11 is fitted with a genuine 45 mm gun.
 
Manufacture of hinges for the hatches and doors.
 
Manufacture of special edging around the hatch and door openings.
 
The mudguard above the right wheel was completed, a spare wheel was added and the radiator was protected with armour.
 
Armouring the engine compartment and installing the radiator.
 
Interior of the armoured car.
 
A turret ring was then constructed on the vehicle's hull, followed by the superstructure with rounded armour-plate corners.
 

The ZiL chassis was shortened, the original but shorter propeller shaft was fitted, and the wheels were replaced. The team then began armouring the rear of the hull and the rear wheels.

 

This is an exceptionally rare vehicle: only 17 BA-11s were produced. The replica is being built on the chassis of a ZiL-157 lorry.