Maquette 1/35
BA-20 PzSpWg.202(r) Light Armored Car

Background

The GAZ design bureau developed the BA-20 light armored car on the GAZ-M1 car chassis in 1936. This vehicle remained in production until 1941. The main armament was based on the 7.62mm machine gun. One unique capability designed into the vehicle was the option to replace the wheels with flanged wheels to enable the BA-20 to operate over the rail infrastructure.

The Kit

The kit is molded in three different colors, one on each of the three trees used in this kit. The armored vehicle body, turret, etc., is molded in medium gray styrene. The tree containing the GAZ-M1 chassis, engine, suspension, etc., is molded in white. The third tree, molded in light gray styrene, contains the railbed base, rails, and flanged wheels.

This kit comes complete with an interior and engine compartment, so superdetailing this project will be a snap. You have the option of building this armored car on its road wheels or on its flanged railroad wheels. The railroad base is a nice addition.

The instructions provide painting and markings for two vehicles. One is a standard Soviet Army example painted in 4B0 Green, whilst the other represents a captured vehicle painted in winter camo and sporting a set of German crosses.

Conclusions

This is an interesting addition to your scale battlefield. If you are a modeler of the war on rails, this is definitely a must-have kit!. You can find this kit at Squadron Mail Order.

My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!