The Romanian 8×8 TAB Series: The TAB-71 APC
The TAB-71 was first seen in Romania in 1972 and is equivalent of the Soviet BTR-60PB with minor changes listed below. The lay out of the vehicle is the commander (right) & driver (left) sit in the front. Behind them is the turret which is operated by a gunner. Behind that is the infantry troop compartment and the final section was the engine. The biggest problem with the BTR-60 (and went on to haunt its replacement) was the way the infantry disembarked. They did this through the small hatch’s, one on each side on the hull located above the 2nd and 3rd wheel and hatches in the roof. The vehicle had to be stationary other wise the trooper would be crushed under the wheels. They were also easy targets whilst exiting through the roof.
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Variant:
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Characteristics:
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TAB-71
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Designation of standard production APC equipped with the more powerful SR-225 gasoline engine generating 140hp and additional periscopes.
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TAB-71 M
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Saviem 797-05 130hp diesel engine from the TAB-77.
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TAB-71A R-1450
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Command vehicle.
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TAB-71A R-1451
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Signals vehicle with unarmed turret.
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TAB-71A R-1452
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Signals vehicle with unarmed turret and additional R-1452 radio set.
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TAB-71AR
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Equipped with a M-37M 82 mm mortar and 100 rounds
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TERA-77L
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ARV with 5t crane and dozer blade.
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The Romanian 8×8 TAB Series: The TAB-77 APC
The BTR-70 was the successor to the BTR-60 and the TAB-77 is equivalent of the Soviet BTR-70 with minor changes listed below. The lay out of the vehicle is the commander & driver sit in the front, whilst an infantryman sits behind each of them using the newly added fire ports. Behind them is the turret which is operated by an infantryman. Behind that is the infantry compartment. 6 infantry then sat on 2 bench’s facing the hull so they could use the firing ports. They left the vehicle through the small hatch’s, one on each side on the hull located between the 2nd and 3rd wheel. The rear of the vehicle is were the engine is housed.
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Characteristics:
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| TAB-77 |
Romanian developed improved version of the BTR-70. Differences include the use of the same turret with LOTA aiming system as the TAB-71. The original engines were replaced with Saviem 797-05M1 132hp diesel engines.
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| TAB-77A PCOMA |
This variant was an artillery command and forward observer vehicle. It had a range finding equipment housed in a large unarmed turret.
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| TAB-77A R-1451/M |
This was a commanders vehicle equipped with R-1070 and R-1451M radio sets and a rear-mounted generator.
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| TAB-77A R-1452 |
Used by signal corps, this variant was equipped with a R-1452 radio, a dummy turret, a telescopic mast, two generators at the rear and a pintle-mounted machine gun on the hull roof.
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| TERA-77L |
This variant was the ARV and has a 5t crane and dozer blade.
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| TABC-79 |
shorter version with only 4 wheels. Several variants exist.
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