URAL 4320 Broom

A field modification made by Александр Михайлович Метла (Alexander Mikhailovich Metla, “Metla” is “broom” in Russian) for the Soviet VDV airborne forces in Afghanistan in 1987 to protect convoys moving through valleys and ravines which were exposed to attacks by Mujahideen rebels.  The modification mounted a section of a BRDM-2 armored car with the turret mounting a 14.5 mm KPVT heavy MG and a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT MG on the rear bed of an Ural 4320 6×6 truck and armor plates were added to the truck cab.  On top of the turret was mounted a UB-32-57 rocket pod which was elevated with the KPVT MG by a bracket attached to its gun mount. The UB-32 is a 57mm, reusable, 32-salvo rocket pod developed by the Soviets in the 1970s for aerial use which fired S-5 rockets with a variety of warheads, including HEAT anti-armor (S-5K), HE fragmentation (S-5M/MO), smoke, and incendiary.  The rockets proved to be more effective in firing at the high edges of the valleys and ravines than the machine guns.

The Russian Airborne Troops or VDV (from “Vozdushno-desantnye voyska Rossii”,  Air-landing Forces) was a military branch of the USSR (today the Russian Federation).  The 103rd Guards Airborne Division, 345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment and the 56th Air Assault Brigade fought in the Soviet–Afghan War (December 1979 to February 1989).

This Broom belonged to the 345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment which was based in Bagram (its 2nd Battalion in Bamian, and later Anab),  Afghanistan.  This photo was taken sometime between April 1987 and July 1988.   Note the tire pattern and the cover over the hood (bonnet) and front grill.

1/48 Resources

Aires Hobby Models:   480 008 1/48 UB-32 Soviet rocket launchers

Gaso.line:   GAS50126K 1/48 BRDM-2 Soviet Scout Car

Kittyhawk Models:    KH80158  1/48 Ural 4320 w/Russian Bomb Loading Trolley