CRPV

The history of CRPV.

Probably the most amazing fate has befallen combat reconnaissance vehicles CRPV of the Soviet army. It all started with an incident of placing a conveyer where the authorities wanted it to go. It was supposed to be placed in distant Udmurtia but the authorities stopped it at provincial Arzamas. When Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) developed a new model range of civilian cars (the procedure was as follows: civilian vehicles were first developed, and then military vehicles were developed on their base), there was demand for a new CRPV.

Ministry of Defense departments developed weapons and equipment. As a result, a vehicle appeared equipped with a new large-caliber machine gun, a powerful engine, and anti-nuclear protection system, which made the CRPVs indispensable during the liquidation of the accident at Chernobyl NPP. Anti-tank missile systems “Glaz” (“Eye”), “Phalanga” (“Phalange”), “Malyutka” (“Little Baby”), and “Strela-1” (“Arroow-1”) were developed on the basis of the CRPV- 2. Also added were the “Dolphin” radiation reconnaissance vehicle, the battalion commander’s command control vehicle, and the “Lisa” (“Fox”) anti-nuclear defense vehicle. All of them went to the Chernobyl Zone and saved many human lives. After receiving huge doses of radiation, CRPVs were unsuitable for further use and remained contaminated forever. These anti-nuclear modifications could be seen in the “Rassokha” sump in 1986. Then they were cut-up for scrap, and now there are only photos and memories.

This article was published in the book Interesting Chernobyl.
You could download this book in PDF file for free here.

© Sky Horse Publishing House (Kyiv) / Nahs Haus, 2019
Copying and publication of this article is possible only with the written permission of the publishing house.
Official website of the Awesome Heritage series: awesomeheritage.com

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