Soviet - FAI-M Armored Car

The Soviet FAI-M Armoured Car was an improved version of the earlier FAI, introduced in 1938 to address its shortcomings in mobility and durability. Unlike the original, which was built on the GAZ-A passenger car chassis, the FAI-M was mounted on the sturdier GAZ-M1 car chassis, giving it better suspension, greater reliability, and slightly improved off-road capability. Armour protection remained light, up to 6mm, sufficient only against small arms fire, and it was armed with the same 7.62mm DT machine gun in a small rotating turret. Powered by a 4-cylinder petrol engine, it could reach speeds of about 80 km/h (50 mph) on roads, maintaining the excellent road mobility of its predecessor. Around 370 units were produced, and they were used mainly for reconnaissance, patrol, and communications roles. The FAI-M saw limited combat during the early stages of the German invasion in 1941, but by then it was obsolete and highly vulnerable to even light enemy weapons. Despite its limitations, the FAI-M represented a transitional step in Soviet armoured car development, bridging the gap between early light designs and more advanced vehicles like the BA-20.

Multi part resin model.

Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.