6 SOVIET PL-43 ARMORED CAR WITH T-34 TURRET (1941)

The PL-43 is a Soviet, self-propelled armored draisine from the Second World War. Serial production probably started at the end of 1942 and continued until the end of hostilities. About 80 draisines of this type were created in its course. The armament consisted of a 76mm cannon in a rotating turret and three 7.62mm DT machineguns. The crew consisted of 6-8 people. The PL-43 draisine was designed primarily to perform patrol missions, but also to support one's own land forces. Its development was closely related to the experiences of the first months of the German-Soviet war (1941-1945), which translated into the creation of a new type of armored train, type BP-43. This train consisted of at least four PL-43 draisines each time. The PL-43 type draisine had relatively thick armor, up to 60 mm. It is worth adding that the main armament was placed in the same turret as was mounted on the T-34/76 tanks. Draisines of this type took an active part in the German-Soviet war.