ArtistsRifles Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Anybody on here into the ex-Soviet/Warsaw Pact vehicles at all?? (No Jack - I'm not thinking about a WW2 era Josef Stalin-2!) Reason for asking is I'm developing an unhealthy curiosity about BMP-1 and -2's. From dim and disant memories I think they were diesel engined - but were they multi-fule like the Zils etc?? And were there track-pads available for them to be road useable?? Are spares a real issue with the importers we have here?? In short I guess - are they a feasable project or one to steer clear of?? Thoughts anybody??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 I am sure that the Zil's are petrol.....well my mates is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Hello old bean i have a 1(BR) Corps Intelligence Training Directive titled "THREAT" recognition guide from 1988 for a SEA its yours, only 66 pages but covers tanks, APC, recce, artillery, air defence, engineers, aircraft on so on :-D this is from the web BMP-1 general characteristics Powerplant: 1 x type UTD-20 6-cylinder inline water-cooled diesel with an output of 300 hp @ 2,000 rpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 BMP-1 general characteristics Powerplant: 1 x type UTD-20 6-cylinder inline water-cooled diesel Richard , The engine in a BMP-1 is in fact a V-6 configuration, of 120 degs. Neil, The tracks are of the old dead type, all steel. They are not of the rubber pad type, at least not the one I had connections with, and are very aggresive towards tarmac surfaces. When at REME workshops, we had one come in around 89-90, it was running hence seeing what it done to the road! There were engine problems, and the engine was removed and stripped, I can tell you that was a work of art, requiring special tools to be made. Parts would be a huge problem. Also, it is over 9.6 feet wide. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted January 21, 2007 Author Share Posted January 21, 2007 Thanks Richard - I think thats put the black cap on that one :-( Width and tracks - can work with those but special tools with nor diagrams available is a no-no. Ah well - back to the hunting I guess..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Neil dont give up hope try talking to these people http://www.foreningenp5.com/en/index.shtml based in Sweden they own a BMP you never know diagrams and parts they might have a lead or 2 :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 here you go parts and drawings http://www.normi.nl/russian_tanks.htm and they are EU based :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Width and tracks - can work with those but special tools with nor diagrams available is a no-no. Neil, If the width, plus steel tracks do not worry you, then don't be put off by the special tools, they were to strip the engine, most engines need some sort of specialised kit. Manuals...well, I once came across a Russian manual for a T34 tank, and being an engineer, pictures spoke a 1,000 words, sure there would be manuals around as they were exported as well. Try contacting Richard Moore at http://www.russiantrucks.co.uk I know a truck driver who has recently transported some Russian trucks back from the Czech for him and it seems that Richardhas good contacts over there for all this kit. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted January 21, 2007 Author Share Posted January 21, 2007 Thanks both Richards :-) :-) Unhealthy curiosity re-engaged.... Basically I have a fancy for something with tracks to go with the Stalwart and vintage Saabs I already have (hows that for a disparity!!) - anything I can fit and is WW2 era is mega bucks thus far. Rather fancy the idea of a Samaritan - but there exists concern I'm not likely to fit in that either, and there are plenty of 432's around. Me being the awkward wotsit that I am - I'd like something a bit different. I've had a nose on Richard Moores website - also on http://www.tanksforsale.co.uk - prices aren't too bad (£13K - £16.5K) although might have to consider the shared ownership route depending on prices when I'm ready to go though. Interestingly Richard Moore can retro fit the tracks with rubber pads for road use for another £8K - at nigh on 9' wide though I'm not sure the road would be the best place for one of these other than on a low-loader?? This looks - and sounds - interesting: http://www.russiantruck.co.uk/movies/bvp.avi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Grosvenor Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Hi Neil, while I love the rugged simplicity of Soviet stuff , spares are the biggest problem. When I had my ZIL, quite often I had to end up getting bit's specially made for it in this country. I have to say I haven't been over to Richard Moores for ages ( he's only 10miles away ) ,I haven't need to since selling the ZIL, so he maybe able to get bit's easier now than he used to. One other point I would make about Soviet stuff is they are quite cramped. I'm about 6ft and not that fat ( well, I don't think at all fat ! ) but I only just got comfy in the ZIL. I know someone who has some experience driving quite a few Soviet tanks and while she is tall she is very slim and she found them very uncomfortable. Apparently, you need to be about 5ft tall with 4ft arms to truly fit a Soviet tank. Saying that, I would have another Soviet MV in a flash. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted January 22, 2007 Author Share Posted January 22, 2007 Thanks Richard. According to the other Richards web site spares aren't a problem these days. How much of that is fact and how much advertising license remains to be seen :-) It's the simplicity and the general odd-ballness that appeals to me - the Soviets had some strange yet effective answers to problems!! Take the location of the fuel cells for the BMP-1 - apparently in the rear doors!! Other plus point with the other Richards ones are he's got hold of a batch that had just been fully refurbished by the Czech army (ISTC a figure of 225,000 Euros/vehicle being mentioned). Should mean that spare requirements ought to be minimal for the likely lifetime of ownership?? Not sure I fancy another £8K for rubber track pads being fitted but it all depends on whether it goes the owned or shared ownership route.... Dimensionally speaking - I'm also dead on the 6'0 mark but carrying way too much weight which is slowly coming off, mainly for health reasons - I'd hope that by the time June comes around I'll be a bit thinner than I am now :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 Neil, I don't think the vehicles on the website are actually purchased untill you order one. I know someone who is in the process of buying a T55 ARV who went over there and picked which one he wanted. You buy from the Czech government, the dealer just brokers the deal. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FV601 (R.I.P.) Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 Looks at Neil and chuckles And which June are we talking about mate? :roll: I'm supposedly in for surgery in March for my medical weight gain and they dont see me starting to lose the weight until at least mid June. As much as its a pain in the A being big and trying to fit in armour it can be done, even with my bulk I can get in and out of a Scorp (only if it doesnt have the drivers periscope fitted mind) That aside though, Soviet armour does appear to have some room in the driving position at least. Why not go for something like this http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/Daemon1/b.jpg[/img] Would probably be a better bet and would keep SWMBO happy as it doesn't come with a gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 oh oh where is that...........how much and would my wife notice it hidden in the garden behind the shed :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 That is an MTLB, it was at C&C. They have now restored it and I think it is back on milweb again. They also took it to Beltring last year. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FV601 (R.I.P.) Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 Need to speak with Carl at C&C as he had that up for sale last year. Not sure if he still has it but it will fit behind the garden shed ................or is that barn? can never seem to get those two right :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 with my wife i never get anything right :rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FV601 (R.I.P.) Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 with my wife i never get anything right :rofl: Easy answer to that one Richard Buy a bigger shed :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 :whistle: or change the wife....now wheres that catalogue :rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FV601 (R.I.P.) Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 Did'nt know they did a "Classes Guide for used spouses" :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 a course on spouses would be handy let alone ex spouses :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 I like the 2SI SP gun (I think Bob Fleming was importing them at some time)My only experience is clambering over one at Duxford. It had more things to hit your elbows and knees on than anything I recall and Lord knows how anyone over 5ft 5 and 11 stone could fit in the sucker - but someone always did. A Big Fred mortar locating radar mounted on an MTLB is also very impressive. The vehicle that intrigued me the most was the PT76 amphibious tank - which I've only seen running once (I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted January 22, 2007 Author Share Posted January 22, 2007 Actually - in the interests of spousal harmony - and my continued well-being - I was thinking along the lines of an engineers version of the BMP. :-) Or even the BTR-50/OT-62 recovery unit. Info received to date is that one or two are held in the UK but they can and will source specific requirements from their overseas suppliers. Gonna be June this year John - might not have lost enough weight by then but some will have to have gone - else little Maud will be serving as a hearse according to the MO. 21 stone at 50 years is BAD news for the heart..... Good news is that the scales in the gym at work today gave a reading below 21 st for the first time - back in Sept when I started they showed "overload" as their upper limit was 22 stone!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardrosser Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 Neil thats good news on the weight side - remember you can't be that unfit after all the walking we did on the underground outing. must have been a far few miles :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted January 22, 2007 Author Share Posted January 22, 2007 Getting there Richard - slowly but surely it's coming off.... :-) :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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