BTR-60PA 280122 1/56

Please note this product has a slightly longer dispatch time. It will be dispatched in 2-4 working days.

The Rubicon Models BTR-60 is an eight-wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) developed by the Soviet Union in the late 1950s. It was designed to replace earlier APCs like the BTR-152 and BTR-40, offering improved protection and mobility for infantry units.

Development and Combat History
Origins: Developed in response to the Soviet Army's need for a new APC suitable for motor rifle divisions, the BTR-60 was introduced in 1961. It featured an open-roofed crew and troop compartment initially, which was later upgraded to the BTR-60PA with an armoured roof in 1963.

Evolution: The BTR-60PB variant, introduced in response to advancements like the German HS.30 APC armed with a 20mm cannon, featured the BPU-1 turret with a KPVT 14.5mm heavy machine gun and a PKT 7.62mm tank machine gun. This variant provided enhanced firepower and improved sighting systems.

Production: Approximately 25,000 units were produced in the Soviet Union between 1960 and 1976, with an additional 1,878 units produced in Romania from 1970 to 1990.

Product Highlights
Build Options: Allows modelers to construct either a BTR-60PA or BTR-60PB variant of the APC.

Detailing: Features multi-slide mould hulls for easier assembly, detailed wheel suspension with rubber tyres, and options for most hatches to be assembled open or closed.

Parts: Includes 133 pieces across 2 sprues, 3 slide mould parts, and 8 rubber tyres, ensuring comprehensive detailing and realism.

Soviet Crew: Comes with figures equipped with a PKB machine gun, enhancing the diorama possibilities and historical accuracy.

Scale and Modeling Compatibility
Scale: Designed in 1/56 scale (28mm), making it suitable for tabletop wargaming and diorama displays alongside other miniature figures and vehicles.
Educational and Collectible Value
Historical Significance: Provides insight into Soviet military vehicle development during the Cold War era, showcasing the evolution from open-roofed to armoured APC configurations.

Modeling Detail: Offers high-quality moulding and detailing, appealing to both hobbyists and collectors interested in military history and Soviet-era vehicles.