Fact File: the BTR-50
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 1:03 am
A common APC in Cat III units...
The BTR-50 in World War III
Encountered most often in many Soviet, as well as some Cuban and Nicaraguan Cat III or equivalent units, the BTR-50 series of APCs saw extensive war service. Though definitely obsolete on the outbreak of hostilities in 1985, the BTR-50 was still a capable vehicle under certain circumstances. Due to its being based on the PT-76 amphibious tank, the vehicle was valued by Cuban forces in the Louisiana swamp and bayou country.
Variants:
BTR-50P: Initial production version in 1952. Open troop compartment, pintle mount for a7.62-mm SGMB machine gun. Some vehicles had ramps to enable a ZIS-2 (57-mm), ZIS-3 (76-mm) or D-44 (85-mm) antitank gun to be loaded and fired from the engine decks. The muzzle was over the open personnel compartment, exposing the passengers to concussion and fumes. Feature deleted from later models.
BTR-50 artillery portee vehicle: Often carried a ZIS-2 57-mm gun. Two prototypes of AA vehicles built, but not authorized for production.
BTR-50 Forward Air Control Vehicle: Superstructure on top of the first, with additional radios and antennae.
BTR-50P NBC Reconnaissance Vehicles; Superstructure on top of the first, with NBC detection equipment installed. (Succeeded by BRDM-2rkh)
BTR-50PA: As P, but with pintle mount for KPV 14.5-mm machine gun at the front of the troop compartment.
BTR-50PA: Some modified with pintle mount for KPV on top of commander's cupola.
BTR-50PK: Version with armored roof and roof hatches for troop ingress/egress. NBC system fitted, pintle mount for SGMB machine gun. Some with longer noses used by Soviet Naval Infantry.
UR-67/MTK: Combat Engineer version with rocket towing line charge for clearing minefields, similar to U.S and Allied MCLIC.
BTR-50PU: Unarmed command vehicle used by battalion, regimental, and divisional commanders. Crew of 10 (commander, three staff officers, four radio operators, vehicle commander and driver), radios, field telephone exchange, collapsable mast and antennae.
BTR-50PU-2: modernized version with more modern radios and portable generator. Many PU versions upgraded.
BTR-50PUM: Upgraded version of PU-2 with newer radios and a square antenna storage box added.
BTR-50PUM-1. Final command version with newer radios, and a crew of 8.
OT-62: BTR-50 version developed by Polish and Czech Armies with some modifications, namely, troop hatches on sides instead of roof, more powerful engine, and two projecting bays on the forward superstructure instead of one. Command, recovery, and armored ambulance versions developed by both Poland and Czechoslovakia. Some Polish versions fitted with turret for 14.5-mm and 7.62-mm machine guns. Some Czech versions could also carry the 82-mm T-21 recoilless rifle.
SPW-50: East German Designation for BTR-50. Some versions developed by East Germans include air defense command, recovery, artillery command, and combat engineer mine-clearing variants.
Users:
Soviet Union: Commonly found in Cat III and some Mobilization-only units-usually in the motor-rifle regiment of M-O tank divisions. Command vehicles used by unit commanders at many levels (Cat I, II, and III)
Cuba: Used in Cat III equivalent mechanized units retained on the island for internal security and home defense. Command vehicles used as per the Soviets at all levels.
Czechoslovakia: OT-62 specialized versions used in North America. APC version in 1989.
East Germany: Some specialized versions served in North America, but basic APC version only saw service in 1989 campaign.
Mexico: Supplied from Soviet stocks. Some used in first-line units in 1987-89, while others used by Mexican Army units charged with suppressing “Counterrevolutionary Activity”. Some still in service despite Baja War losses.
Nicaragua: Used in the mechanized battalion of some tank regiments. All destroyed or scrapped after Anti-Sandinista Coup in 1995.
Poland: Specialized versions in North America, APCs used in 1989.
Captured Vehicles:
American, British, and Canadian Intelligence services were very familiar with the vehicle, having had captured specimens from the Middle East and in Vietnam. Some used as “hack” vehicles by capturing units before spares ran out.Some, re-engined with Detroit Diesel engines, used as OPFOR training vehicles. Most captured specimens either passed to museums or used on target ranges. Some that fell into Resistance hands now in private collections.
The BTR-50 in World War III
Encountered most often in many Soviet, as well as some Cuban and Nicaraguan Cat III or equivalent units, the BTR-50 series of APCs saw extensive war service. Though definitely obsolete on the outbreak of hostilities in 1985, the BTR-50 was still a capable vehicle under certain circumstances. Due to its being based on the PT-76 amphibious tank, the vehicle was valued by Cuban forces in the Louisiana swamp and bayou country.
Variants:
BTR-50P: Initial production version in 1952. Open troop compartment, pintle mount for a7.62-mm SGMB machine gun. Some vehicles had ramps to enable a ZIS-2 (57-mm), ZIS-3 (76-mm) or D-44 (85-mm) antitank gun to be loaded and fired from the engine decks. The muzzle was over the open personnel compartment, exposing the passengers to concussion and fumes. Feature deleted from later models.
BTR-50 artillery portee vehicle: Often carried a ZIS-2 57-mm gun. Two prototypes of AA vehicles built, but not authorized for production.
BTR-50 Forward Air Control Vehicle: Superstructure on top of the first, with additional radios and antennae.
BTR-50P NBC Reconnaissance Vehicles; Superstructure on top of the first, with NBC detection equipment installed. (Succeeded by BRDM-2rkh)
BTR-50PA: As P, but with pintle mount for KPV 14.5-mm machine gun at the front of the troop compartment.
BTR-50PA: Some modified with pintle mount for KPV on top of commander's cupola.
BTR-50PK: Version with armored roof and roof hatches for troop ingress/egress. NBC system fitted, pintle mount for SGMB machine gun. Some with longer noses used by Soviet Naval Infantry.
UR-67/MTK: Combat Engineer version with rocket towing line charge for clearing minefields, similar to U.S and Allied MCLIC.
BTR-50PU: Unarmed command vehicle used by battalion, regimental, and divisional commanders. Crew of 10 (commander, three staff officers, four radio operators, vehicle commander and driver), radios, field telephone exchange, collapsable mast and antennae.
BTR-50PU-2: modernized version with more modern radios and portable generator. Many PU versions upgraded.
BTR-50PUM: Upgraded version of PU-2 with newer radios and a square antenna storage box added.
BTR-50PUM-1. Final command version with newer radios, and a crew of 8.
OT-62: BTR-50 version developed by Polish and Czech Armies with some modifications, namely, troop hatches on sides instead of roof, more powerful engine, and two projecting bays on the forward superstructure instead of one. Command, recovery, and armored ambulance versions developed by both Poland and Czechoslovakia. Some Polish versions fitted with turret for 14.5-mm and 7.62-mm machine guns. Some Czech versions could also carry the 82-mm T-21 recoilless rifle.
SPW-50: East German Designation for BTR-50. Some versions developed by East Germans include air defense command, recovery, artillery command, and combat engineer mine-clearing variants.
Users:
Soviet Union: Commonly found in Cat III and some Mobilization-only units-usually in the motor-rifle regiment of M-O tank divisions. Command vehicles used by unit commanders at many levels (Cat I, II, and III)
Cuba: Used in Cat III equivalent mechanized units retained on the island for internal security and home defense. Command vehicles used as per the Soviets at all levels.
Czechoslovakia: OT-62 specialized versions used in North America. APC version in 1989.
East Germany: Some specialized versions served in North America, but basic APC version only saw service in 1989 campaign.
Mexico: Supplied from Soviet stocks. Some used in first-line units in 1987-89, while others used by Mexican Army units charged with suppressing “Counterrevolutionary Activity”. Some still in service despite Baja War losses.
Nicaragua: Used in the mechanized battalion of some tank regiments. All destroyed or scrapped after Anti-Sandinista Coup in 1995.
Poland: Specialized versions in North America, APCs used in 1989.
Captured Vehicles:
American, British, and Canadian Intelligence services were very familiar with the vehicle, having had captured specimens from the Middle East and in Vietnam. Some used as “hack” vehicles by capturing units before spares ran out.Some, re-engined with Detroit Diesel engines, used as OPFOR training vehicles. Most captured specimens either passed to museums or used on target ranges. Some that fell into Resistance hands now in private collections.