I recently read that during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, they deployed a number of ZSU-23 self propelled AA guns as convoy escorts and support weapons (a role they excelled at due to their high rate of fire and high gun elevation). I also read that a specialized version (ZSU-23-4M2) was built with the radar removed in order to increase ammo capacity. Does anyone have information about or pictures Of ZSU-23s serving in Afghanistan? I would be especially interested to know what proportion of them were the radar-less version.

Many Thanks,
Sam

As far as pictures... Google is your friend.

"ZSU-23 Afghanistan" brings up a number of photos.

http://191polk.ucoz.ru/photo/fotografija_1/12-0-622

http://otvaga2004.narod.ru/otvaga2004/wars1/wars_02.htm

http://otvaga2004.narod.ru/otvaga2004/wars1/wars_04.htm

http://otvaga2004.narod.ru/otvaga2004/wars0/page/1_afghan_1.htm

http://alternathistory.org.ua/afganskie-shilki

Using Russian terms allows to obtain more results

So try to use as keyword

ЗСУ-23-4М "Шилка" Афганистану

ЗСУ-23-4М

ЗСУ-23-4М "Шилка"

"Шилка" Афганистану

or

"Шилка"

Cheers

Great pictures and Great sites! This really helps, thanks a lot!
Sam

The "Silka" in its role as the original was not really used, because the Afghan Air Force did not exist.
The fragile and expensive (useless) and fire control radar ládáit dismantled parts, have been replaced with extra ammunition.
85 degrees can be increased armament it has worked konvoly accompaniment, as the roads narrow valleys, steep-walled mountains moved.
It was used by the Afghan invaders, because the tanks and armored troop carriers could not quickly enough to raise their arms and height.
The Silk swift tower was a great place for this purpose, as well as application bridges, crossings to protect.
The Afghan government also took part in the fight against the building.

Book: Concord. #2009. Armor of the Afghanistan War.

yes, here you can see the modification scheme



Red zones indicate the СРП rangerkeeper device
Yellow zones correspond to РПК radar

Both of them were removed to increase the ammounition stowage
It was also added a night vision device

I'm not completely sure about, anyway that would be a walkaround of this specific version

http://dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=897
http://dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=900
http://dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=899

Other then the radar being taken off, were there any other exterior modifications done? I would kind of like to model the ZSU-23-4M, I'm going to use the orange box kit if that helps.