Skif 242 Southern Lebanon APC-55 (BTR-55)

The BTR-55 is a south-Lebanese tracked armored personnel carrier from modern times. The drive was provided by a single diesel engine with a capacity of 580 HP. The length of the vehicle was 6.6 meters with a width of 3.27 meters. The combat weight was up to 31.5 tons. The car was armed with three 7.62mm Browning machine guns. The BTR-55 was created for the South Lebanon Army, a military formation operating in Lebanon from the mid-1970s to 2000 and supporting the state of Israel. The BTR-55 vehicle was developed on the basis of an Israel handover of captured T-54/55 MBTs. Their conversion into armored personnel carriers took place in the 1990s. Interestingly, the turrets were not dismantled, but the cannons were removed and in their place small-caliber weapons were installed, which significantly increased the space inside the vehicle. A total of two machine gun positions were added to the sides of the turret. However, elements such as the engine, suspension and drive train have been preserved. It is assumed that about 30 vehicles were converted, but the exact number is unknown.