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A PT-76B modernized with a new turret and 300hp engine.
History:
First entering service in 1951, the PT-76 had been a staple of several Warsaw Pact militaries for several years, including of course, the USSR. Being the only “proper light tank” in Soviet service for quite some time, the PT-76 had some pretty big shoes to fill. Unfortunately, it would generally not fit these shoes well thanks to the rapid development of motorized weaponry during its time, leading to several necessary upgrades being developed to keep them relatively up to date. Despite its rapid aging, the PT-76 and its improved variants would have a generally positive reputation among its crews and militaries, seeing production numbers up to 12000 before being stopped in 1967 due to the adoption of the BMP-1 just a year prior. Alongside their high production number, the PT-76 enjoyed a very successful export record as well, both before and after the termination of its production. A few nations still retain their PT-76s to this day. Russia themselves reported 150 in their possession by even 2010. This is all to say that there was a potential demand for a true modernization package for the PT-76 that could bring it back into the modern battlefield. Multiple companies would make attempts to fill said demand over several years, one of the most notable being the failed PT-76-57. Muromteplovoz was one of the aforementioned companies who would begin a modernization initiative for multiple antiquated Soviet-era vehicles. One of their two PT-76 modernization packages would be based on the PT-76B variant and would feature Muromteplovoz’s own MB2-03 combat module, fitted with a fully stabilized 30mm 2A42 autocannon, 30mm AG-17 AGL, and 7.62mm MG. To improve mobility, a 300hp engine would be fitted, which would boost the vehicle’s max speed from 44kph to 60kph. In addition to all this, a buoyancy package for the vehicle would be briefly considered to increase buoyancy. The package was comprised of hollow sheet metal boxes added to the sides of the hull. Although their main purpose was to increase buoyancy, they also provided standoff protection against RPGs. As of 2025, no purchases have been made, domestic or otherwise, however, the package is still being marketed on Muromteplovoz’s website to this day.
Place In War Thunder:
The Russian 30mm 2A42 and 2A72 autocannons are some of the most effective and beloved autocannons in all of War Thunder, the 2A42 especially due to its higher ROF. The PT-76B, on the other hand, not so much. Its original 240hp engine leaves a lot to be desired in terms of mobility. Combine this with abysmal armor and unreliable HEATFS and you have a vehicle that requires much more skill to make work consistently. Thankfully, these downsides did not transfer to the PT-76B’s modernized brother, the PT-76-57, which received a much more reliable gun on top of a beefy engine upgrade, making the resulting vehicle much more fun to play. These benefits also apply to the PT-76B (MB2-03), which received the beloved 2A42 as well as a 300hp engine. Despite not having any ATGMs, the PT-76B (MB2-03) would not find itself outclassed as the ability to sling APDS, or even APFSDS, at 550RPM is incredibly powerful on its own as has been proven effective by the Finnish BMP-2D. Placement in-game can go many ways. It could act as a foldered autocannon-only alternative to the BMP-2 in the tech tree or serve as Russia’s first Rank VI squadron vehicle.
Specifications:
Armament: 30mm 2A42 autocannon, 30mm AG-17 AGL, and 7.62mm MG
Dimensions: 7.63m, 3.14m, 2.33m (L,W,H)
Weight: 15670kg
Armor: Same as PT-7B in-game
Crew: 3
Ammunition: Same as BMP-2 in-game
Speed: 60kph (land) 10kph (water)
Horsepower: 300hp
Pictures:
Fitted With Additional Buoyancy Package:
Sources:
PT-76 - Wikipedia
Updated Light Amphibious Tank PT-76
Fighting Compartment MB2-03
PT-76 - Tank EncyclopediaPT-76 Soviet and Warsaw Pact Amphibious Light Tank by Alexander Koshchavtsev, Jim Kinnear, and Fred Koch