Russian Austins Austin Armoured Car

austin-putilov in artillery museum, saint-petersburg

in 1916 decision made produce russian armoured car on known austin chassis. sixty chassis units – identical used in 3rd series – ordered austin. mission of building armoured hulls entrusted putilovski works, saint petersburg. planned build cars july 1917, work virtually brought halt february revolution , subsequent chaos. not until march 1918 first cars produced. later production transferred izhorski works. total of 33 vehicles produced in 1918–1920. in contemporary russian documents model referred russian austin (russian: Русский Остин – russkij ostin), became better known austin-putilov (russian: Остин-Путиловец – ostin-putilovets).

twelve hulls identical of austin-putilov mounted on kégresse halftrack chassis, resulting in vehicles known austin-kégresse. production continued july 1919 until march 1920 when stopped shortage of materials , parts.

russian austins obvious features diagonally placed mg turrets (in order reduce width) , additional right side door. had mg mounts better elevation , other minor improvements.