The Soviet BA-10 were used in large numbers throughout WW2. The Finnish Army knew the BA-10 and BA-10M armoured cars as BAF C armoured cars.

This was the most common heavy armoured car type captured by the Finnish Army from the Soviets and also the most common heavy armoured car in Finnish use during World War 2.

Most of these were captured during the Winter War and first year of the Continuation War. The Finnish Army captured up to 25 of the armoured cars and turned them on their previous owners as soon as they could make them serviceable.

The Finnish Army noted the BAF C as the most advanced version of Soviet armoured cars, but it’s all terrain mobility was still considered poor and engine too weak for the vehicle.

By 1943 the original 52-horsepower GAZ-M1 engines of all BAF C armoured cars in Finnish use were replaced with new 95-horsepower Ford V8 engines.

Although Bolt Action rules still consider them captured vehicles with the unreliable rule, by 1943 they should be considered a Finnish conversion with full maintenance support.

Nowadays the Finnish Armour Museum in Parola has the only remaining armoured car of this type used by Finnish Army – Ps.27-12. This is the one in the video which was on display for the 75th anniversary of Finnish Armour.

BA-10 supporting a Jaakarii infantry squad.

The Rubicon kit went together very well and was a pleasure to put together. I chose the kit option with the rear tracks that was fitted during winter for moving in the snow and mud.

I have been asked how I painted the “Sturmi” that I posted about yesterday. The method is very simple as is most of my painting. I do not have an air brush so for the BA-10 I used spray can paints.

First I sprayed it with Tamiya TS3 dark green and then lightly with TS28 a slightly lighter green.

I then used TS3 sand.

As this is for the “Winter War” I then sprayed it with a cheap flat white undercoat to represent the white paint hastily applied in the field. You don’t need to worry about how much of each paint as this averages out over a number of vehicles.

At this stage I glue most of my vehicles on a suitable sized base. In order to avoid “bleed through” with the white snow flocking I sprayed the base flat white first.

The next step is to apply a red/brown wash liberally over the whole vehicle.

Pick out the “fiddly bits” and apply a light white dry brush and the vehicle is Finnish!

For those who want to see the rest of the army it can be found here.

“Sisu” is a unique Finnish concept. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage. The British would call it “Stiff Upper Lip” and in Oz we would say being “Cool as a Cucumber”!