BT-43

BT-43
Type Armored personnel carrier
Place of origin Finland Finland
Service history
In service 1943 - ?
Used by Finland Finland
Wars World War II
Production history
Produced 1943
Number built 1
Specifications
Weight 11 tons
Crew 2 - 10
Main
armament
 none
Operational
range
 155 km
Speed 53 km/h

The BT-43 was a Finnish armored personnel carrier prototype, designed during the Second World War. It was developed from the Soviet-made BT-7 tank, which had been captured in large quantities during the Winter War and early Continuation War.

History

In May 1943, a request was made for an armored personnel carrier capable of carrying 20 men. It was decided to convert some BT series into BT-43 carriers. The prototype was not a great success and no further development took place. The BT-43 appeared clumsy and with a high profile, it didn't look a bit like a standard armored personnel carrier. The turret was removed, and a wooden platform was located on the modified hull. The result was more suited for the role of an armored supply carrier. It was not considered a front line type vehicle.

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