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.
 

Boom Tank

While a vehicle that can tow disabled tanks out if the mud, and snow, is great, having a vehicle that can help replace an engine or transmission too is even better.

This Roco T34 has been modified to just such a vehicle.

A few pieces of scrap sheet plastic, a couple pieces of plastic rod, and Roco wire spool, and a little hook and you have everything you need to make this vehicle.

Many tanks burn engines and transmissions out quickly.  

Having a crane tank like this can make the difference in keeping a tank in service and having to leave it behind.