Flames of War: Soviet - BM-31-12 Katyusha

Flames of War: Soviet - BM-31-12 KatyushaIncludes one BM 31 12 Katyusha Rocket Launcher with Optional Loading Crew. Following on from the success of the BM 13 16 Katyusha during the close of 1941, the need for a larger rocket quickly became apparent. The response to this demand was the BM 31 12. Following the standard Soviet naming convention, BM stood for ground vehicle; 31 for the rocket type model used and the 12 for the number of rails or tubes. The rocket was developed from an earlier

Includes one BM-31-12 Katyusha Rocket Launcher with Optional Loading Crew.

Following on from the success of the BM-13-16 Katyusha during the close of 1941, the need for a larger rocket quickly became apparent. The response to this demand was the BM-31-12. Following the standard Soviet naming convention, BM stood for ground vehicle; 31 for the rocket type/model used and the 12 for the number of rails or tubes.

The rocket was developed from an earlier design, the M30. However, the request for a longer-range weapon led to the design of the M31 which had a maximum range of 4325 metres compared to the 2800 metres of the M30. This payload was delivered from a metal framework mounted on the chassis of a Studebaker US6 truck.

Each rocket was armed with a 28.9kg warhead and when combined on mass, the BM-31-12 proved extremely effective during the closing stages of the war in particular during the fierce street fighting during the Battle of Berlin.