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Since I wasn’t allowed to submit this as an official suggestion for this vehicle, due to limited sources and its possible association with a questionable organization, I’d like to share it here instead. I’ve put time, effort, and a sprinkle of my soul into it, and I hope others will still find it interesting. If anyone has additional photos or sources related to this vehicle, please feel free to share them.
T-34T/ZPU-1
Introduction
I would like to suggest a unique T-34-based Hungarian armored recovery vehicle (T-34T) that was spotted in Lebanon, visually distinguished by the addition of a ZPU-1 anti-aircraft turret mounted on its rear platform. While originally built for engineering support roles, this particular vehicle has been field-modified, likely for local urban warfare or air-defense.
Given its unusual configuration and historical relevance, it could serve as a low-tier premium or event vehicle in War Thunder. It would fit plausibly within multiple tech trees: the USSR, due to its origin and design; Israel, considering regional history; Hungary, reflecting its use of T-34T chassis; or even a potential future Arab-oriented faction, given its appearance in Lebanon. This vehicle would bring a fascinating visual and historical presence to the game.
Disclaimer: I fully acknowledge that the Lebanese Civil War was a highly complex and politically sensitive conflict involving numerous factions and organizations, some of which have controversial or questionable histories. In the interest of maintaining political neutrality, this suggestion is framed as a Lebanese vehicle in a broader historical context.
History of T-34s in Lebanon
Spoiler
T-34-85 tanks ended up in the Lebanese Civil War through a variety of indirect transfers, mostly as surplus Soviet equipment that had been previously exported to other Arab nations such as Syria. It was a major operator of the T-34-85 during the post-WW II period, and they often supplied older Soviet-made equipment to allied factions and militias in neighboring conflicts. During the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), the fractured political landscape saw numerous militias and foreign-backed groups receive weapons and vehicles from their respective sponsors. T-34-85s were among the more common armored vehicles available at the time, known for their durability, simplicity, and large numbers in reserve storage. Some tanks likely came from Syrian Arab Army stockpiles, either provided directly to allied militias or abandoned and later captured. Others may have entered Lebanon via Hungary, through a direct contract with the PLO. Steven Zaloga claims Hungary delivered about 60 T-34-85s and T-34Ts to the PLO.
By the time of their use in Lebanon, T-34s were already obsolete by global standards, but they were still useful in an urban combat environment and in support roles, particularly in the rugged terrain of Lebanon and particularly Beirut, where their good gun elevation and mechanical simplicity still held tactical value.
T-34T Armored Recovery Vehicles
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Armored recovery vehicles were developed to support frontline units by retrieving damaged, stuck, or immobilized tanks from the battlefield. These vehicles played a vital logistical role, ensuring that armored formations could maintain momentum even under fire. Some were built on the widely produced and dependable T-34 platform, these ARVs proved both pragmatic and economical for Warsaw Pact nations, including Hungary. With thousands of T-34s in service by the end of World War II and into the Cold War, the chassis was a logical candidate for secondary support roles, as its mobility was still excellent. Stripping the turret reduced weight significantly, allowing the vehicle to focus on recovery tasks rather than combat. Specialized equipment like heavy-duty winches, anchors, and sometimes cranes or bulldozer blades were installed.
Most T-34-based ARVs featured a cover with a hatch where the turret once was. The Hungarian version appears to feature a unique superstructure, perhaps to improve visibility and situational awareness. Anyway, this setup not only lightened the vehicle but created room for tools, spares, and recovery systems. The rear of the vehicle often housed a spade or ground anchor used to stabilize the chassis during towing operations. Front-mounted tractor blades were sometimes added to assist in debris clearing or obstacle removal. However, based on the images Hungarian vehicle in question lacked any sophisticated specialized recovery or engineering equipment beyond the essentials, such as spare parts, fluids, towing cables, and standard tools. The Lebanese example shown in the image appears to have been repurposed more as a combat support vehicle rather than a dedicated engineering or recovery platform.
Crew configurations varied, but typically these vehicles were operated by two or three personnel. One served as the driver, and the others managed the recovery gear. Some versions included a light machine gun for basic self-defense, though the vehicle’s primary function was always armored recovery, and not fighting.
Hungary operated a number of these vehicles in the postwar period, often referred to by the Soviet designation “T-34T,” with “T” indicating “tractor.” The Hungarian People’s Army made use of these turretless T-34s in line with Soviet doctrine, employing them alongside their standard T-34/85 tank units during the 1950s and beyond. Their T-34T vehicles were not uniquely Hungarian in construction but rather part of the broader family of Warsaw Pact support vehicles that followed Soviet designs. Other countries in the bloc developed their own versions of T-34-based ARVs, sometimes incorporating unique national features. For example, Czechoslovakia produced a recovery variant known as the VT-34, while Poland fielded similar vehicles with minor modifications. East Germany, too, operated support vehicles on T-34 (that served until the late 80s) or SU-85 chassis, showing the versatility and longevity of the original T-34 design.
ZPU Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Spoiler
The ZPU (an abbreviation from the Russian term for “anti-aircraft machine-gun mount”) is a family of Soviet-designed anti-aircraft systems developed shortly after World War II. All ZPU systems are based around the powerful 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine gun and were created to provide mobile air defense capabilities for ground forces. These weapons became standard equipment in many countries and have remained in service for decades due to their reliability, simplicity, and firepower. The series includes three main variants: the ZPU-1 (single-barrel), ZPU-2 (twin-barrel), and ZPU-4 (quad-barrel). All versions use the same 14.5 mm ammunition, capable of penetrating light armor and effectively engaging low-flying aircraft and helicopters. The guns have a high cyclic rate of fire, about 600 rounds per minute per barrel, and can be operated using simple optical sights. Effective firing range against air targets is approximately 1.5 kilometers.
The ZPU-1 is the lightest variant, designed for ease of mobility and transport, even in mountainous terrain. It can be broken down into man-portable components, making it ideal for infantry support. The ZPU-2 and ZPU-4, progressively heavier and more powerful, were typically towed by vehicles and mounted on wheeled carriages with stabilizing outriggers for combat deployment. All ZPU mounts allow full 360-degree traverse and nearly vertical elevation, giving them a wide arc of fire. Despite being superseded in Soviet service by newer 23 mm systems, the ZPU series remained widely used across the globe. The ZPU-4, in particular, offered exceptional fire density, making it highly effective in both anti-aircraft and anti-personnel roles.
Throughout the Cold War and well into the 21st century, ZPU guns have been used by over 50 countries. They have seen combat in conflicts such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, Yom Kippur War, Lebanese Civil War, both Gulf Wars, the Syrian and Libyan civil wars, and ongoing fighting in Yemen and Ukraine. Often mounted on technicals (armed pickup trucks), these weapons continue to serve in irregular forces and militias worldwide due to their ruggedness and availability. Today, the ZPU remains a symbol of irregular conflicts: simple, functional, cheap and deadly.
T-34T/ZPU-1 In Detail
Spoiler
The vehicle in question appears to be a combat-adapted variant, optimized for either urban engagements or improvised anti-aircraft duties. The 14.5mm heavy machine gun offers excellent anti-material capabilities, making it well-suited for dense urban environments, while the ZPU-1’s high elevation allows for effective fire against targets positioned in Beirut’s high-rise structures or in the surrounding mountainous terrain. Mounted atop the rear storage bin, the ZPU-1 enjoys full 360-degree traverse, giving it flexibility against a wide range of threats. The T-34T’s hull provides protection against small arms fire and retains a hull-mounted machine gun in the radio operator’s position. The removal of the turret significantly improves its power-to-weight ratio compared to a standard T-34-85, enhancing mobility. However, the gunner remains exposed and vulnerable to return fire. For the purposes of War Thunder, the vehicle would likely feature a four-man crew: driver, gunner, radio operator/co-gunner, and commander, though in practice, the crew may have been reduced to three if not two.
From the image, it’s evident that this T-34 hull is not of Czech origin, unlike many of its Middle Eastern counterparts. It is missing the intercom device below the left rear fuel tank and the improved exhaust pipe armor. Instead, it appears to be based on a Soviet T-34-85 Model 1944, or even 1945 as indicated by the visible rear-mounted smoke canister brackets. Whether Gaijin chooses to preserve the vehicle’s worn, rag-tag appearance or restore it to a more factory-standard configuration, complete with the missing left fuel drum and smoke canisters, is entirely up to them. Notably, the tank is also fitted with T-54-style “spider” road wheels, a postwar feature commonly seen before the widespread adoption of the T-55’s starfish pattern wheels.
Implementation into War Thunder
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War Thunder already features vehicles equipped with a single KPV machine gun for air defense, such as the T-10M and SU-122-54. However, in this context, the vehicle in question would likely be placed at a battle rating of around 2.0, where it would primarily face slow-flying propeller-driven aircraft, the exact type of target the ZPU systems were originally designed to counter. Compared to the BTR-152 with the ZPU-2, this T-34T offers significantly better protection, not just against small arms fire, but also against anti-tank weapons. The original T-34 hull armor remains intact, and unlike the BTR-152, most of the crew is protected under an armored roof, leaving only the gunner exposed. Of course, this vehicle only mounts a single-barrel ZPU-1 for anti-aircraft fire and a hull-mounted machine gun that’s more or less ineffective (that is provided Gaijin will even make it functional). It will be interesting to see how the community reacts to this suggestion, I can already imagine the ZPU gunner being constantly unavailable.
Supporting Gallery
T-34T/ZPU-1 Specifications
Spoiler
Type: Improvised Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) / Fire Support Vehicle
Origin: Hungary (chassis), Soviet Union (armament), Built in Lebanon
Crew:
- 3–4 (Driver, Gunner, Commander, Radio Operator/Gunner)
Chassis:
- Base Vehicle: T-34T (Armored Recovery Vehicle based on T-34-85)
- Hull Origin: Soviet T-34-85 Model 1945
- Modifications:
- Turret removed
- ZPU-1 anti-aircraft gun mounted on rear engine deck
- Retains hull DT machine gun
- Retains armored superstructure over front compartment
- No engineering equipment visible
- Missing the rear left fuel drum
- Missing smoke canisters
Dimensions (approx.):
- Length: 6.68 m (with gun forward)
- Width: 3.00 m
- Combat Weight: ~24.5 tons (weight reduced from original T-34-85 due to turret removal)
Mobility:
- Engine: V-2-34 12-cylinder diesel
- Power Output: 500 hp @ 1800 rpm
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: ~20.4 hp/ton (improved due to turret removal)
- Max Road Speed: ~55-60 km/h
- Operational Range:
- Internal Fuel: ~250–300 km
- With External Drums: Up to 450 km
Protection:
- Hull Armor:
- Front: 45 mm (sloped)
- Sides: 45 mm
- Rear: 40 mm
- Superstructure: Likely thin (~20 mm or less)
- ZPU-1 Gunner: Fully exposed
Armament:
- Primary Gun: ZPU-1 14.5 mm Heavy Machine Gun (mounted rear deck)
- Mount: Manually operated, 360° traverse
- Elevation: -10° to +85°
- Rate of Fire: ~150 rounds/min (practical)
- Ammunition: 14.5×114mm B-32 (AP), BS-41 (API), MDZ (HEI)
- Effective Range:
- Ground: 2000 m
- Air: 1400 m
- Secondary:
- 1x 7.62 mm DT machine gun (radio operator’s position, hull-mounted)
Sources
Spoiler
Zaloga, S., Kinnear, J. (1996). T-34-85 Medium Tank 1944 - 1994. Osprey Publishing . Available at: https://prussia.online/Data/Book/t-/t-34-85-medium-tank-1944-94/Osprey%20NV%20020%20-%20[20c]%20-%20T-34-85%20Medium%20Tank%201944-94.pdf?utm_source
T-34 with ZPU-1 - #20 by Goalkeeper - Cold War - KitMaker Network
Raketen- und Waffentechnischer Dienst (RWD) - Panzerzugmaschine T-34T (ungarische Ausführung)
Март, 2, 2021 - Боевая техника - страннее не бывает — ЖЖ
ZPU-1 Single-Barrel, Towed Anti-Aircraft (AA) Gun System
The following source has factual inaccuracies: T-34-85/파생형 - 나무위키