- Yes!
- No!
M8 (20/1) “Brko”
History and Description
On April 18, 1993, near the village of Košćan during one of the battles of the Bosnian war, Bosniak forces destroyed a Serbian BVP M-80A IFV. Despite Serbian efforts to stop them, Bosniak soldiers managed to salvage parts from the destroyed vehicle for seven nights in a row. They removed the 20/1 turret, turret ring, 20 mm autocannon, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, optics, ammunition, and electronics. In the meantime, Bosniaks also got their hands on an American M8 light armored car, which had previously been used as a range target on Pazarić training grounds near Sarajevo. The armored car was cut in half, and a complete reconstruction was carried out. The vehicle hull was extended by about 40 cm and received a new 150 kW FAMOS 2F 219A diesel engine taken from a bus. The old turret with a 37 mm gun was removed and the 20/1 turret with a 20 mm autocannon was put in its place. The rails for 9M14 Malyutka missiles were removed as the missiles were scarce and also unsuitable for mountainous terrain. After the mechanics installed all the necessary electrical equipment, the hybrid vehicle was put into service. It was nicknamed in memory of Enver Murtić, also known as Brko, who died during the war. The armored car first saw action in Košćan and later served in battles near Hadžići, Bjelašnica, and Treskavica. After the war, the vehicle was destroyed as a range target on military training grounds in Glamoč by the then-newly formed Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Specifications
- Essentials
- Length; 5.5 m
- Width; 2.5 m
- Height; 2.4 m
- Mass; ca. 8.5 t
- Crew; 3
- Six-wheel drive (6x6)
- Protection
- Armor;
- Front; 19 mm
- Sides; 9 mm
- Rear; 5 mm
- Turret: 14 mm
- APS; N/A
- ERA; N/A
- Smoke; N/A
- Armor;
- Mobility
- Engine; FAMOS 2F 219A, 200 hp
- Power/weight; 23.5 hp/t
- Transmission; manual, 8+2 gears
- Top speed; 90 kph
- Amphibious; No
- Firepower
- Main;
- M55 20 mm autocannon
- Stabilizer; No
- Night vision device; Yes
- Vertical guidance; -5° / 65°
- Traverse; 360°
- Turret rotation speed; 80°/s
- Fire rate; 750 shots/min
- Belt capacity; 200 rounds
- Ammo in storage; 400 rounds
- Penetration at 10 m; 38 mm
- M55 20 mm autocannon
- Secondary;
- M86 7.62mm machine gun
- Fire rate; 700-800 shots/min
- Belt capacity; 500 rounds
- Ammo in storage; 2000 rounds
- Penetration at 10 m; 10 mm
- M86 7.62mm machine gun
- Main;
Gallery
Sources
https://www.mycity-military.com/
https://www.paluba.info/smf/index.php
https://www.armscom.net/products/turret_201_by_yugoimport_sdpr_p_c
https://wiki.warthunder.com/M8_LAC
Email interview with the commander of the unit that constructed the vehicle
Original vehicle specification sheet
Newspaper article about the vehicle
