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Have you got T-55 manuals in other languages? I've found translating sections of them helpfull when I've been working on my BRDM-2. The pharses can be interesting afterwards, but you get the point... I had a hard copy manual for my BRDM which I scanned with an OCR and then cut and paste the sections I wanted into yahoo Bable fish. I also found this useful when I came across Czech and Polish online manuals. - I'll see if I can find the links to these sites, maybe they have something on the T-55 too

Hi Tim, Can wheeled armour amphib vehicles qualify for swimming (such as BRDM-2s)? I read online that the lake will be dredged - will this be the case in time for the show? And what is the depth of the water?

I ran my BRDM down to War and Peace from Oxford local during the heat of the day on the Saturday (around 30 C in places) and had no end of engine overheating problems. First I was trying to run in a convoy of other MVs which was doing around 40 mph (which as it turns out the BRDM really does not like, its too fast to run 3rd gear for long and too slow for for the cooling fans to be effective in 4th gear - seeing that the cooling fans are direct drive. Second, I went for some cheap supermarket fuel. As we drove down at first it was fine, but as things got hotter, the BRDM began to loose power - almost like it was being starved of fuel. We toyed with the fuel mixture on the engine to increase the fuel going into the engine and this seemed to make the eninge run better, but we had to drive with all the engine hatches open to ensure a good air flow ( we even had the interior hatches open which turned the crew compartment into a wind tunnel) and drive a bit faster (having broken off from the convoy). However, on the way back (and following the advice of some of the other forum members) we drove at night when it was cooler (still around 20 C tho) and added Redex lead fuel addivitive to the engine. After that the engine ran great back with no problems, I only had to pull over when I noticed the transfer case and gear box getting too hot and I needed sleep (my co-driver was already asleep by this point). But definitely adding something to the fuel to reduce it vaporising helps, I'm not so sure on using parafin (was even recommended by a guy selling some at War Peace Revival that adding parafin may not be the best idea), but that lead additive certainly did the trick

I have thought about this too with my BRDM. Even considered doing an LPG conversion. However, I would say the original V8 will be fine. One of my freinds who used to serve with these in the Polish army and I played around with settings on the carb a bit and mangaed to increase the average MPG. Before we did that my mpg was around 7.5 mpg when I commuted to work (a 24 mile round trip); afterwards I'm getting 11.5 mpg. Also the engine is not so sluggish when it gets up some speed as I get between 45mph and 73mph when I'm cruising on the motorway (hill dependant). It also just helps to drive the vehicle around on a regular basis (took about 2 years after it coming out of stores before it ran propperly).

Looks Great! I'm glad to see its gone to a very good home

Indeed welcome to the club! It's great to see other BRDM owners out there Everything BRDMdriver has said is quite true, the hydrualic deficiencies with the clutch down or out of gear are quite annoying. Speaking to a freind of a freind who use to drive BRDMs back in the Polish army; mentioned that the reason this is done is to disable the front steering when the vehicle is swimming, otherwise under certain conditions could cause the vehicle to capsize. However, there are ways around it, For example if trying to manouver in a tight spot - put the transfer case into neutral (moving the Hi/Lo range lever into the middle position), select first gear and release the clutch, you won't go any where but you will get power steering when stantionary. For oils and what to use, check out the manual in russian truck forum, its got a section on wesstern alternative oils in the back. But we've found that the oils it recommends are really more for winter use and therefore you may want to use slightly thicker oils. I've certainly found that in my BRDM as the transfer case overheats, it has the correct level of oil in it, but it's just too thin. Anyway, look forward to hearing from you when she arrives!

Hey Buddy! That looks absolutely amazing! Well done! Would be awesome to see it again!

Lol! Love it! Those look good together, but I can't help noticing that the BRDM Targeting module is pointing straight at the Scorpion

There's a couple of things I would of some differently if I were to buy a BRDM again. First I would want to see the vehicle through in person and not rely upon an in between. Secondly I would want to confirm the equipment and parts included in the sale. Otherwise it is important to confirm everyting you want out of the deal in a contract. Consider if you want to have the vehicle serviced and registered on the roads or want to have the vehicle repainted. As it is I love my BRDM and think its simply an awesome vehicle

Pm'd you Richard, thanks. I know what you mean about bending yourself into different shapes to work on anything, fortunately I'm kind of short. But I still remember having to hang upside down with one leg over the drive shaft to fit it. I'd agree with starting an owners club of sorts and try to get some buying power with stv. I've been trying to find a day time commanders periscope for ages. I've not really had any problems with my fuel pump, the only thing I get is a fuel vapour lock on the engine when it over heats. Well Richard, if you do need a hand repairing that motor, I can certainly help you. Wouldn't also mind seeing that museum some time. Thanks Ian

Hi BRDM Driver, It's an early model BRDM-2rch, dated 1971. But it runs really well (It even drove off the transporter when it arrived into the UK before having any work done on it). So if you have an early version English translation manual then I'd greatly appreciate seeing a copy of that! I have one hard copy manual and 3 different digital versions of BRDM manuals (however, they are all in Russian). How is it owning a BRDM-3? I've always wondered how the hydraulics worked around the missile launching platform, is it powered off the same loop as the steering and duck board/shutter? How do you open the louvres currently? I know from experience that if they aren't opened, then the engine over heats and shuts down within half an hour and you're left stranded in the middle of a busy roundabout in central Cambridge :embarrassed: I've not had many problems with mine. Broke a drive shaft universal joint at the gear box a few months ago when I took it out for a forum meet with the russiantruck guys at an off road track. When the drive shaft snapped it also took out the hand throttle and choke cables (which I'm still trying to replace), but it only took me around an hour to refit a new drive shaft. The BRDM has been surprisingly easy to work on. The only thing that concerns me is that I keep finding Greek beer bottle caps in the bottom of the vehicle?? I need to repair one of the drain holes in the vehicle before I take it into the water, plus I'm not too sure how to operate the seacock at the rear of the cabin. Have you taken yours swimming yet? Oh, I don't know about you but I've found that if I'm driving long distance on the roads and averaging 60-80kph, I have to stop after an hour to let the engine cool down.

Hello All! I thought I should join the ranks on the forum as I'm starting to work further into my BRDM-2 and could use some advise as I progress. I bought my BRDM-2 over a year ago and I love it! It's registered on the roads, very reliable, and I seem to average 7.5 mpg :-) It's the nuclear, biological, chemical reconnaissance variant. However, I've been reworking a lot of the electronics (currently a TKN-1 night vision periscope is giving me a bit of hassle so if anyone has any experience on those I'd appreciate it). Anyway, I look forward to meeting everyone and taking part in some rallies