Austin-Putilov

Russia, 1917

Armoured cars Austin were the most popular in Russian army. But usage of the English-built machines showed several disadvantages. So there was made a decision to purchase only a chassis, and make finally assembling on Putilov works in Petrograd. Russian version of Austin had several differences: original armoured body with diagonally-placed turrets, bullet-proof tires and additional steering at the rear. There was planned to build about 2000 such machines. But this plan became absolutely unreal. The first armoured car left Putilov works only in the end of summer in 1917. Then October revolution and Civil war made purchasing of chassis impossible. As a result, only about 30 machines were built. As Soviet legend says, such armoured car was used by V.Lenin as a tribune for speaking at the square near Finland rail terminal in April, 1917. But as a matter of fact, the first Austin-Putilov was produced almost a half of year later.

This model represents the early version of Austin-Putilov armoured car.