Ola Guys

I have a scene in mind with the ChTZ S-65 tractor towing the sFH 18 through a field and I wanted to include a farmers tractor. Now I found out there are some differences between the old timey Western europe tractors and the Soviet tractors. Which means pretty much all the available tractors in 1:35 are not really right for the setting I have in mind. And therefor I thought I might give scratchbuilding one a shot. And I set my eye on the BT3 Universal 2. See pic below


I have found quite a good walkaround of it but I'm stuck on dimensions. Does anybody know of drawings of this vehicle from which I can gather dimensions? Or maybe someone knows the dimensions. That would also be good. I need a starting point from which I can calculate all the parts to 1:35

Looking forward to any reply. Hopefully there is somebody around here who knows a thing or two about these vehicles.

With friendly greetz

Robert Blokker

Well, excellent choice !

The comparison of this tractor with early European tractors is wrong, because almost all old Russian wheeled tractors were copied from American ones. And this "Universal" has own "senior brother" - American "Farmall F-20" tractor.

NOTE ! The tractor on "Your" image have not driver's seat and some of small parts, and it have non-complete engine !

First series of this Russian tractor - "Universal" (or "Universal 1"). It has two beside located front wheels.

Second series - "Universal 2" - has two far located front wheels, like on "Your" image. Both series of tractors were produced in 1934 - 1940 on "Red Putilovets" Plant (Leningrad, now Sankt-Petersburg). Later these tractors were produced on Vladimir Tractor Plant (in 1944 - 1955). (*That is why "Your" tractor have the "BT3" abbreviation ("VTP" in English) on it's radiator).

Third series - 4-wheeled "Universal 3" - was also produced.

Fourth series - "Universal 4" - has 3 wheels and rubber tyres.
In total 211.500 (according to other data - 209.006) examples of "Universal" tractors of all series and versions were produced. Also "Universal" tractors were the first tractors, which the USSR exported abroad - to Holland, Turkey, Iran (their series are unknown exactly).

Below is the image of "Universal 1":



Here are dimension scheme of "Universal 2":



I think, most part of "Universal 2" details is the same as "Universal 1" - so, You can try to build this tractor. Besides, the Internet have not "quite good Walkaround" of these tractors, but a LOT of their photos. Also some drawings of some details and assemblies of those tractors are exists.

Enjoy it !

Ola Eduard

Thanks for your reply. I did not know actually that the tractors were copied from American tractors but it kinda makes sense as Ford was the producer of the first commercial tractor. That said. It still doesn't give me much room with what is available on the 1:35 market. The Lanz Bulldog from Plusmodel looks completely different and the MK35 tractor is not suitable either.

I know the tractor in the pic I posted is missing stuff. but it was the first pic I found at google to show what I was after. I found this walkaround of a BT3 tractor which I think is pretty complete and it should give me most of the details for this tractor.
http://dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=1195

Thanks a lot for the drawings. They were exactly what I was looking for from there I can calculate all the dimensions to 1:35 and start some scratchbuilding.

With friendy greetz

Robert Blokker