BTR-50P

   The design of the BTR-50P can be tracked back to the early 1950s. It has been in service so long, but it is still used as a general or special purpose carrier for systems ant other applications rather than the armored personnel carrier with some countries. However this vehicle has a considerable troop carrying capacity of 20 fully-equipped troops.

   The BTR-50P is based on the chassis of the PT-76 amphibious light tank and, as an APC, seats the passengers along benches in an area behind the fully protected crew compartment, with the only armament carried being a pintle-mounted 7.62-mm machine gun.

   The troop compartment is open with troops having to enter and leave over foe sides - the only protection against the elements is a canvas cover. On the BTR-50PK the troop compartment is fully enclosed the troops entering and leaving through roof hatches. At one time ramps were provided to allow light artillery pieces to be loaded onto, and fired from the rear hull decking but later models (BTR-50PA) lack this facility.

   There have been many BTR-50P variants, including command, mine-clearing, repair and recovery vehicle, vehicles of various other types.

   A command vehicle is known as the BTR-50PU. The Chinese also produced a copy known as the Type 77 while the former Czechoslovakia produced a modified version known as the OT-62.

   The BTR-50P series was widely exported and remains in service with many nations, so many in fact that an Israeli concern saw fit to market an updating package which included a new diesel power pack - Israeli has been one of the many nation utilizing the BTR-50P.

   With many user nations the BTR-50P and it's variants are no longer employed as front line armored personnel carriers, but are instead retained as front line supply and fuel carriers or have been converted to technical support vehicles to keep other vehicle types running.