ZIS-6

ZIS-6
ZIS-6 platformed with BM-13 Katyusha battery front
TypeGeneral purpose cargo truck
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
Used bySoviet Union
WarsWorld War II
Production history
ManufacturerMoscow Zavod imeni Stalina factory
Produced1933-1941 (first prototype dated by 1931)
No. built21,239
Specifications
Mass4,230 kg (9,326 lb)
Height2,160 mm (85.0 in)
Crew2 - 3

Engine6-cyl. SV, 5555 cc, watercooled
54 kW (73 hp)
Power/weight12.9 kW/t (17.3 hp/t)
Payload capacity4,000 kg (8,818 lb)
2,500 kg (5,512 lb) (unpaved road)
Transmission4×2 speed
Maximum speed Maximum speed: 55 km/h (34 mph)
ZIS-6 platformed with BM-13 Katyusha battery rear
Kolyma road construction 1938

The ZIS-6 (Russian: ЗИС-6) is a Soviet general purpose 6×4 army cargo truck, a three-axle version of the ZIS-5 two-axle truck. It was built from 1933 until October 1941 at the Moscow Zavod imeni Stalina factory and reached a total production of 21,239.

A reliable truck, it served as a base for the creation of a number of specialized military modifications- searchlight truck, radio and radio repair station, mobile field workshop, supply delivering vehicle, troops moving vehicle, and as an artillery towing vehicle, but is best known for its role as the first multiple rocket launcher (Katyusha) in July 1941. It was built by the "Compressor" Plant's Design Office during World War II (1941–45). Very few ZIS-6 trucks survive till today.

During early World War II the ZIS-6 was used as the chassis of the original BM-13 Katyusha multiple rocket launcher by the Red Army, nicknamed "Stalin's Organ" by German soldiers. The ZIS-6 also served as the basis for the VVS-RKKA aircraft fueller BZ-ZIS-6.

Specification

  • 6×4, 3-axle 2,5-ton (4-ton - highway)
  • ZIS-5 based truck
  • Bore/Stroke: 101.6/114.3 mm
  • Wheelbase: 3,360 mm (132.3 in)+1,080 mm (42.5 in)
  • Tyres: 860 mm × 180 mm (34 in × 7 in)

Katyushas

Fitting katyushas
Base Variant Variant Variant
BM-8 BM-8 BM-8-36 BM-8-48
BM-12 BM-12-16
BM-13 BM-13
BM-14 BM-14
BM-31 BM-31 BM-31-16