Dear Readers! This is the third part of the review devoted to the civilian versions of the BRDM-2. The first parts are here:
Second life of the BRDM. Scouts in civilian life. Part one; Second life of the BRDM. Scouts in civilian life. Part two.
As I promised, in this article I will post a description of Oleg Makarov's second car.
Second car: S. O. V. A. is a super hunting amphibious off-road vehicle. This specialized SUV is designed for hunters. A 3-meter retractable observation tower with a rotating seat allows you to contemplate the vastness from a height of 5.5 meters from the ground. If necessary, the tower is transformed into a davit-beam with a winch with a lifting capacity of 3 tons for lowering and lifting from / to the trunk of a boat or ATV.
I sit high - I look far away!
Mainay little by little!
Side hinged doors are made of armor plates, each has two windows 30x30 cm (bulletproof glass 20 mm) and regular loopholes are embedded. Thanks to four hydraulic shock absorbers and a comfortable revolving handle, the two-hundred-kilogram doors can be opened with a light movement of the hand and locked in the upper position. This makes it possible for a hunter with a weapon to get in and out of the car quickly and comfortably, which is especially important in winter hunting.
The driver's seat is separated from the passenger compartment by sliding doors. The floor hidden drawers are sheathed in corrugated aluminum. The central place is occupied by two leather sofas, freely transforming into a sleeping place. If necessary, the sofas can be easily dismantled, turning the center of the cabin into a cargo platform. With the help of rollers installed on the base of the sofas, they can be freely pushed to the sides and reached the transmission. And also, if you free the center of the cabin, the hunters are conveniently positioned in the “standing” position for shooting through the two upper hatches.
On the sides along the sofas, horizontal handrails are welded to which containers are attached: when hunting, they are used to store ammunition, optics, etc. During parking or a long journey, a standard Panasonic video and audio center is attached to the handrails. There is a pull-out table in front of each sofa. The cabin capacity is the same as that of the U. M. K. A.
The owl calls Hammer (military) for a test sparring. If Hammer wins, the armored car is a gift!
OWL. - explanations of Oleg Makarov. Taking into account the preservation of the original aerodynamic forms, this is a maneuverable and fast jeep, which is not afraid of any off-road conditions. Without much effort, he will deliver to the place where the gaze points. Will replace the boat and cutter.
To increase the internal space, the roof was raised by 50 cm, in which the armor covers removed from the BTR-60 were installed, which in the open position serve as a backrest when firing or observing in a standing position.
Side hinged doors (weighing about 200 kg) are made of armor plates, each has 2 windows measuring 30x30 cm. The doors are equipped with bulletproof glasses 20 mm thick. and regular loopholes from the BRDM-2. On the inside of the handle there are special locks for fixing. Thanks to four hydraulic shock absorbers and a comfortable revolving handle, 200 kg doors open with a light movement of the hand and automatically lock in the uppermost position. Such spacious doors make it possible for a hunter with a weapon to quickly and conveniently embark / disembark from the car, which is especially important in winter hunting.
In addition to hinged doors and additional hatches in the roof of the cabin, the driver's hatches are kept in the driver's compartment. Additionally, on the sides of the vehicle, there are armored landing hatches from the BTR-60 with built-in bulletproof glass 20 mm thick. The cockpit with the driver's seat is separated from the passenger compartment by sliding doors covered with leather and with tinted windows.
The central place is occupied by 2 leather sofas, freely transforming into a sleeping place (2m x 2, 30m). If necessary, the sofas can be easily dismantled, turning the center of the cabin into a cargo platform. With the help of the rollers installed at the base of the sofas, we can freely move them to the sides and get unhindered access to the transmission. So, freeing up space in the center of the cabin, we provide a convenient location for hunters in the “standing” position: for observation or shooting through the 2 upper hatches.
Installed floor hidden lockers (boxes) are sheathed with corrugated aluminum, the total volume of which is 3 cubic meters. m. Different sizes of lockers (boxes) make it possible, without cluttering up the interior, to fold belongings in size and purpose of their use. The salon has 3 additional drawers, which are lined from the inside with isoprene and carpet. This is a safe for 4 carbines, a box for storing ammunition and a box for kitchen utensils located under the galley.
Comfortable multifunctional horizontal handrails are welded along the sides along the sofas, to which hinged containers are attached: during the hunt, they are used to store ammunition, optics, etc. During parking or a long journey, a standard Panasonic video and audio center is attached to the handrails. Opposite each sofa there is a pull-out comfortable table. The salon is designed for comfortable movement of 4 hunters, taking into account winter clothes and with personal weapons. The full load is designed for 6-8 people, excluding the driver and navigator.
The vehicle is equipped with a 2nd generation tank night vision device for the driver, an infrared searchlight "LUNA", an illuminator with a built-in 6-fold periscope (control from the passenger compartment), tank headlights of low and high beam (with a blackout device) on the nose and on stern. On the model S. O. V. A. installed an additional "chandelier" of 4 halogen spotlights. Rear view camera in an anti-vandal sealed case with armored glass.
SECRET OPTION.
A hunting toast should be short, like a bullet, like a shot.
Otherwise, there will be no time for rest."
General Ivolgin. Film "Peculiarities of the National Hunt"
On the conveyor S. O. V. A. on the sides are imitations of tank smoke grenade launchers "TUCHA" in the amount of four pieces for storing … 4 bottles of beer! In a metal tube lined with alufom from the inside, a bottle of beer fits comfortably, or maybe even something stronger!
When we go with a breeze, the containers-grenade launchers are blown, and the beer is cooled. Well, at least not that hot. And he arrived at the place, leaned out of the hatch - and then a bottle of beer at hand! As the well-known Kuzmich said: “I am not an enemy to my health! I know how to have a rest in culture!"
The author of the artistic description: Ivan EVDOKIMOV.
Technical details and photos: Oleg MAKAROV.
