| Count Belisarius | 09 Nov 2011 5:31 a.m. PST |
I've got a few GHQ BTR-50s (code W21). There appears to be a small hole center read between the hatches and an MG supplied to fit in it. Doesn't appear to be shown in the GHQ site pic either. I've google a few images and a I can't find one with this setup? Was it standard? Cheers Andy |
| Dances with Clydesdales | 09 Nov 2011 7:53 a.m. PST |
At one time those were packaged with SPG-9 recoiless rifles, and 82mm mortars to mount in the holes on those castings. I don't recall ever seeing a MG mounted there. |
| Count Belisarius | 09 Nov 2011 1:12 p.m. PST |
The model comes with what looks like a tripod mounted MG that sits right in the middle of the rear compartment area. I assume to be used when the hatches are open in support of the deploying troops? Just trying to decide whether to stick it on or fill the hole! Andy |
| thatguy96 | 09 Nov 2011 1:48 p.m. PST |
Are you sure its not a recoilless rifle? Can you take a picture? Like this:
That's an Egyptian OT-62B in the picture, but the setup would've been the same for the BTR-50PK. The BTR-50 series could also be fitted with a DShk MG up front too. |
| Dances with Clydesdales | 09 Nov 2011 2:50 p.m. PST |
Seems this was hashed out in the past on TMP. Maybe this will be usefull. TMP link |
| Count Belisarius | 09 Nov 2011 3:38 p.m. PST |
Ahhh.. I was sure I'd done a search for btr-50 and nothing came up. That's a useful thread. Thanks. It's likely the GHQ models I have are old stock as they were 'spare' from someones collection. I thought I'd post the pics anyway:
I don't think there is conclusive evidence for this particular setup. I've not turned anything up online. Though you would like to think there was some evidence for GHQ to have produced it! The reference to being aimed at Arab-Israeli Wars may be useful given captured use/modding by Israel? Still can't decide… :) Andy |
| Aapsych20 | 09 Nov 2011 4:57 p.m. PST |
The putative "machine gun" is in fact a rearward pointed SPG-9 (which comes standard in the GHQ BTR-50 package) with most of its barrel missing and the remaining back end bit appearing to resemble a water cooled Maxim (similar to the Vickers or M1917 Browning) machine gun pointed forward. By the time of the introduction of the BTR-50, the Maxim was almost, if not completely, extinct in frontline service, and its replacement, the SG-43/SG-M air cooled machine gun was fired from the BTR-50's troop compartment using a pintle mount. I am also unaware of any Maxim tripod mountings in Soviet service, though the SPG-9, as the photo above amply demonstrates, was almost ubiquitously mounted on the wheeled tripod combination carriage. |
| Dances with Clydesdales | 09 Nov 2011 4:59 p.m. PST |
That's exactly what was supplied with mine, except yours is facing rear with the gun barrel cut or broken off. It originally was a bit longer. I have 10 of these I mainly used for AIW. I ended up using 2 with SPG-9 RR and 2 with 82mm mortar, the other 6, I use as regular infantry carriers. The extra weapons I used with some infantry for weapons stands. I think you have an older pack as do I. I bought mine sometime in the 1980's. |
| Count Belisarius | 09 Nov 2011 11:23 p.m. PST |
That's excellent info, thanks. Given the 'gun' may have been truncated anyway I think I'll just fill the hole and use them as is… Thanks again Andy |
