ARV and ARV

Here are the two Soviet ARVs that I made from Roco Minitanks T34 tanks.

I suspect that  ARVs like this were in the inventory of the Soviet Union perhaps as late as the end of the Cold War.

Certainly there are nations, Yemen and Vietnam that STILL use the T34 as an active duty tank in 2026.

So there must be some that still have them in reserve!

Tanks are expensive and even an old tank, as long as it runs is useful.

I painted these in the color that I use for the Soviet Union in WWII and into the early Cold War until about 1960.
 

ARV Towing Vehicle

A Soviet truck and two armored recovery vehicles, receiving supplies.

The weight of tanks puts a lot of wear on them, but without the turret and a ton of ammunition they ARV often lasted longer than the tanks.

So in real life an older ARV might serve more modern tanks as long as they were in the same weight class.

A towing vehicle like this could also serve in armored personnel carrier or armored artillery units.

I like them in wargames because if there are a few tanks knocked out on the bridge or in the mountain pass or on the main street, the ARV can remove the obstacles.  Sometime a smoke mortar might be part of the ARV kit so they can provide a screen to work behind. 
 

ARVs and a Truck and Supplies

Orion WWII Soviet Tank Crews in 1/72nd scale.

HO 1/87 scale Roco Minitank conversion.

Roco Minitank HO scale 1/87 vehicle conversion.

The supplies are resin cast and designed to fit into various vehicles in my collection.

Truck is from Filament Fighters, HO scale 3D printed.
 

ARV Vehicles

This type of Armored Recovery Vehicle typically has a large winch.

This allows the ARV to hook up to a stranded vehicle without having to risk getting stranded itself.

Sometimes more purpose built vehicles will have a spade or dozer blade to allow them greater purchase when towing a vehicle with a winch.

Some of my Roco vehicles have the little wheels and some don't.  They are kind of fun, but on the other hand they roll down slopes.

This vehicle has a bow machine gun, because sometimes they take fire from the enemy.

Two different types of T34 armored recovery vehicle.