picture 204262

Based on the chassis of the PT-76 light tank, the MT-LB was originally developed as the armoured variant of the MT-L artillery tractor. In Iraqi service it was often armed with a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun installed on the rear part of the hull. The Iranians captured about a dozen MT-LBs during the offensives of 1986–1987 and pressed them into service as APCs. Most were painted in dark sand overall, though some had a disruptive camouflage pattern in green, applied in very different forms. (Artwork by Peter Penev)