On January 29, 1932, the first GAZ-AA truck, the legendary "lorry", rolled off the assembly line at the Gorky Automobile Plant. He became one of the first legendary Soviet trucks that our country can be proud of. Many of these cars still drive the streets of Russia.
AMO-F-15 - the first Soviet truck
The first Soviet truck appeared in 1922. Then the small and angular AMO-F-15, created on the basis of the Italian cargo fIAT vehicle 15 Ter, which in 1917-1919 was produced at the AMO plant (current ZIL). But at the same time, the design was noticeably changed by local engineers.
The first ten copies of the AMO-F-15 took part in a demonstration on Red Square, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Revolution. And three of them were sent to a test car rally in a few days. russian off-road... During this long drive, the trucks showed themselves on their best side, so the plant began their serial production. In total, in the period from 1924 to 1931, 6285 copies of the AMO rolled off the assembly line. 
GAZ-AA - the legendary "lorry" 
This car received its nickname "lorry" (as well as "half-lorry") due to the carrying capacity of 1.5 tons, for which this truck was designed. Initially, GAZ-AA was created on the basis of a car Ford model AA, but then it was modernized several times, eventually becoming an independent vehicle. 
GAZ-AA was produced from 1932 to 1950, eventually becoming one of the most massive trucks in the history of the USSR (985 thousand copies). The finest hour of the "lorry" came during the Second World War - this unpretentious, simple, but reliable truck became the main "horse" of the Red Army. Including during the breakthrough of the Blockade of Leningrad, when relatively light "gaziks" in large quantities transported food to the besieged city on the ice of Lake Ladoga. 
ZiS-5 - three-ton
Another legendary participant in the Great Patriotic War was the ZiS-5 truck (aka "three-ton", aka "Zakhar", aka "Zakhar Ivanovich"). 
Serial production of the ZiS-5 began in 1933. In fact, this truck became the heir to AMO-3. It was assembled entirely from domestic components, and during the war its design was simplified as much as possible - in the harsh years, quantity was more important than quality. By the way, the legendary "Katyusha" was also created on the basis of this truck, albeit a little modernized (officially called ZiS-6). 
GAZ-51 - truck for virgin lands
The first copy of the GAZ-51 truck was created and shown to the public back in 1940, however, the war prevented it mass production... So the serial production began only in 1946, when the country needed equipment for post-war reconstruction. 
Having become the most massive truck in the country in the fifties, the GAZ-51 was actively used in the development of the Virgin Lands - untouched fertile steppes in the north of Kazakhstan. For the participants in this "great march" he became one of the symbols of a new era, the growth of the economic power of the USSR in those years. 
A successful design and a fairly low price turned the GAZ-51 into an export product that the Soviet Union supplied abroad. Moreover, not only to the countries of the Eastern Bloc, but also to the capitalist states.
ZiS-150 - a successful "clone" of the American truck
Externally, the domestic truck ZiS-150 is very similar to american car International Harvester K-7, but it cannot be considered a "clone". In fact, the American car had only a cabin - during the war, Soviet representatives were able to negotiate with the United States on the supply of body stamping presses. The technical basis of the novelty is local development and production. 
At first, the body of the ZiS-150 was made partially made of wood - the country ravaged by the war did not have enough metal. However, over time, this flaw was corrected. The truck was produced from 1947 to 1957. A total of 771,883 units of this car were produced. 
ZIL-130 - a universal truck
ZIL-130 is probably the most versatile truck domestic production... On the basis of this machine, over its half-century history, not only trucks, in fact, were created, but also dump trucks, tractors, fire and snow removal vehicles, garbage trucks, etc. The secret of this versatility is a successful design that allows you to change the purpose of the vehicle without changing it. technical part, relatively low manufacturing cost and reliability, allowing the truck to operate for decades. 
Trucks are still produced on the ZIL-130 chassis. True, now they are called AMUR. However, hundreds of thousands of Soviet-made ZILs still drive along the roads of Russia and other countries. In total, more than three million copies of this truck were produced. 
GAZ-66 - cargo SUV
GAZ-66 was created for travel under the most extreme conditions, where no other transport will pass. The four-wheel drive allows the vehicle to drive over mud, rough terrain, rocks, rocks and other unpleasant surfaces. This is the reason why the GAZ-66 has become almost the main army truck. 
Why are there Soviet and Russian armies! Even the character of Jean-Claude Van Damme in the action movie "The Expendables 2" drove the GAZ-66! Isn't this real worldwide recognition? 
Ural-375 - six-axle off-road vehicle
Ural-375 is another all-wheel drive truck, which was massively used not only for civilian, but also for army needs. Three driving axles and huge wheels, as well as a large carrying capacity made it possible to carry on it on the worst roads and in the absence of these, not only people and goods, but even the Grad multiple launch rocket system. However, significant technical flaws, for example, unreliable, but costly gas engine, as well as problems in the braking system led to the fact that the Ministry of Defense already in 1982 began to replace this truck with the Ural-4320. 
In the civilian sector, the Ural-375 truck, produced until 1992, is still used in the oil and geological exploration industries. 
KrAZ-255 - Ukrainian hero
KrAZ-255 is a real legend of the Ukrainian and Soviet automotive industry. During its existence (since 1967), he received from the people probably more nicknames than any other domestic car, for example, "bast shoe", "bast shoe" and even "lunar rover". This truck is legendary about the pulling power and the widespread cross-country ability of this truck. It is considered that this car can pull seven carriages loaded with coal straight along the sleepers. 
Still interesting fact – individual models KrAZ-255 can be refueled not only with gasoline, but also with kerosene. Partly because of this, it was used as a tractor at airfields. However, being the driver of this truck is a real torment (which is just the lack of a power steering!). No wonder another of his nicknames is "cannibal". 
KamAZ - the king of Soviet trucks
In principle, the KamAZ brand itself can be called "the main Soviet truck"! Indeed, since the mid-seventies, it was these machines that took over a significant part of the civilian cargo transportation in the country. And the first model produced by the plant in Naberezhnye Chelny in 1976 was KamAZ-5320. 
KamAZ-5320 did not have a berth in the cab, which later became a brand element of this brand, but was a reliable and powerful truck. In subsequent models, such a constructive addition appeared, which turned the truck not just into a car, but into a real home on wheels. 
82 years ago, the first serial "lorry" left the assembly line of the Nizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant - the famous GAZ-AA car, which for several decades became the real "king" of Soviet roads. By this date "RG" remembered 7 legendary models trucks that the domestic auto industry was justly proud of.
History of creation.The Automobile Moscow Society, founded in 1916, began its activity with the assembly of Italian "one and a half" FIAT 15 Ter. Soon after the October Revolution, the plant was nationalized, and then reoriented to the production of AMO-F-15 cars - the first Soviet trucks. However, and they outwardly differed little from the "FIAT", although the "filling" was largely domestic. Absolutely soviet car became only in 1933, changing its name to AMO-3. And it was this model that was later taken as a basis for the release of the popular ZIS-5 trucks.
Features.The car was created on the basis of Italian trucks and many components have been imported for a long time. In the engine ignition system, for example, mechanisms were used, already well-known at that time, from the Bosch company, in the electrical system - parts from Scintilla.
By the way.Despite the noble European origin, the machines turned out to be inconvenient to use. The driver's seat was located to the right of the center and too close to the steering wheel, so that the drivers felt discomfort, almost resting their feet on the steering wheel. In addition, to the feet due to design features entered cold air, which was especially felt in the winter.
History of creation."Lorries" were the first cars that were created at the Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky) automobile plant opened on January 1, 1932. On the giant by the standards of the young Soviet republic, NAZ, which by the end of 1932 had turned into a more familiar GAZ, the authorities made a serious bet, but decided to start production by "cloning" the American Ford-AA truck. However, the agreement with the Ford empire allowed Soviet engineers some "liberties", and they partially changed the steering mechanism and clutch housing, and made the side body completely unique. Since 1933, GAZ began to make do with only domestic components, and then a gradual improvement of the car began. In total, up to October 1949, over 820 thousand of them were released. Thus, GAZ-AA is considered the most massive Soviet truck in the first half of the 20th century.
Features.Experts say that GAZ-AA was quite modern car, while he could run on almost any fuel, even tractor naphtha. Although the "lorries" got their nickname for the carrying capacity of one and a half tons, working on large Soviet construction sites, they had to transport much more - up to thirty centners.
By the way.Due to the constantly failing starter with a battery, drivers, as a rule, started the GAZ-AA engine with a special crank handle, a "crooked starter". However, this turned out to be not only a disadvantage, but also an advantage of the "lorry" - she did not care about any frosts. This especially helped in the years of the Great Patriotic War, when "gaziks" were valued above trophy foreign cars.
History of creation.Prototypes of the new GAZ 51st modification were presented to members of the Soviet government in May 1945 (the car was created back in 1937, but they did not have time to start mass production before the war). After the Victory, the country needed new trucks. "Lorries" honorably fulfilled their military mission, but more powerful machines were needed to restore the economy. The previously developed model came to the court - and after a while they began to make it even in Poland, China and the DPRK. Until 1975, almost 3.5 million of these trucks were on the road. But still main model Gorky Automobile Plant in the second half of the 20th century, GAZ-52 and GAZ-53 became, which could be easily confused with each other because of the same cab. They began to collect them back in the 60s, and the last 53rd, however, already modified, rolled off the assembly line in 1993.
Features. GAZ-52 was able to carry cargo weighing up to 2.5 tons, and its older "brother" - up to three, and later up to four tons, when the car's front axle was strengthened and replaced cardan transmission... Meanwhile, the eight-cylinder 115 horse power allowed the truck to accelerate to 85 kilometers per hour.
By the way.The Gorky engineers managed to create a car that worked equally well in hot Laos and in snowy Finland, where they willingly bought 53 GAZs. It is not for nothing that this particular truck became the hero of the development of virgin lands in Kazakhstan and the corn projects of the then Secretary General of the Communist Party Nikita Khrushchev.
History of creation.The famous 130th ZIL replaced the morally and technically obsolete 164th model. The first car at the Moscow automobile plant was assembled in December 1956, the last - in 1994. During this time, the car has firmly conquered the domestic market of bonneted trucks, being considered the "calling card" of ZIL. The class of the car was also recognized by international experts: for example, in 1963 a new model was presented at the International Fair in Leipzig and received gold medal, and in 1971 she was awarded the State "Quality Mark".
Features.ZIL-130 for several years, as they say, brought to mind. Engineers have collected nearly four dozen prototypes, repeatedly tried to optimize the power unit, tested about 70 engines and about 100 gearboxes. Of course, this meticulous approach allowed us to create a car that for three decades was quite competitive even by global standards. In the 130th, there was an amazing power steering and a pre-heater for the engine, which were amazing at that time. Eight-cylinder V-shaped overhead valve carburetor engine capacity of 150 horsepower allowed the car to reach speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour. In addition, the ZIL-130 became the first truck in the USSR with a carrying capacity of 6 tons.
By the way.A version has been circulated on the Internet according to which the Soviet Union received the drawing of the ZIL-130 car from Japan as reparation. Apparently, this bike became an element of the advertising campaign of the capital plant, although the design of the car was indeed innovative for the USSR (which is only an alligator-type hood) and strongly resembled American bonnet trucks of the 50s of the last century.
History of creation.The "500th" MAZ in the 60s of the last century made about the same impression on the roads as the 500th "Mercedes" in the 90s. It was the first Soviet cabover truck. It remains to be amazed at the persistence of the designers and engineers of the Minsk Automobile Plant, who were able to prove to officials the need to hide the diesel engine under the cab. The decision turned out to be correct - it became easier for the driver to drive such a car and perform the necessary manipulations with the engine, and the body became more spacious. As a result, the carrying capacity of MAZs increased from 4.2 tons, as it was in the bonneted two-hundredth model, to 6 tons, and then to 7.5. Note that the first prototypes of new machines were made in 1958, and serial ones only in 1965.
Features.MAZ-500 in the 1960s was to a certain extent a unique machine. Not only was a new structural arrangement of the engine applied in it, but the engine itself was installed unusual. The modern diesel YaMZ-236 seemed just silent compared to the previous one two-stroke motor, which, with its roar, caused a lot of inconvenience. In addition, the "five hundredth" received power steering, telescopic shock absorbers and even the so-called planetary gearboxes in the hubs rear wheels.
By the way.One of the most difficult tasks for the designers of MAZ was to reduce the "vibration load" of the driver's seat, which was located exactly above the left front wheel. Both engineers and testers were worried about this question, who literally had to "shake" the whole day, winding hundreds of kilometers around the test site. Before the start of the serial production of the "500th", the necessary suspension elements seemed to have been found, but the designers decided to continue the optimization. All shortcomings in the operation of the suspensions were eliminated only after a German vibration stand was purchased at the Minsk Automobile Plant.
History of creation.The Kamsky Automobile Plant is perhaps the only large enterprise in the industry that has never produced bonnet trucks. The first model of a huge production, opened in Tatarstan in 1969, was a car modern layout - with a cabin located above the engine. Note that until 1980, KamAZ worked according to drawings created, in particular, at ZIL, where for a long time their own production of cabover trucks had not been launched. Knowing the persistence with which the Likhachev Plant approached the improvement of the quality of cars, it is not surprising that the KamAZ-5320, created, in fact, like the ZIL-170 back in the late 1960s, was recognized as one of the best cars XX century in its class. In Naberezhnye Chelny, after many years of refinement, the conveyor with these trucks was launched only in 1976, and the last 5320 left it only in 2000.
Features.The very first KamAZ trucks were literally stuffed with equipment that was unique for the Soviet automotive industry. Take only 5-speed gearbox with additional splitter box, active-reactive silencer, nitrided crankshaft and the presence of four brake systems at once (working, parking, auxiliary and spare), and the pneumatic booster of the clutch pedal was added to the hydraulic booster of the steering wheel already familiar from the ZIL-130. It should be noted that KamAZ-5320 had a record carrying capacity of 8 tons at that time.
By the way.Driving the first five KamAZ trucks in February 1976 from Naberezhnye Chelny to Moscow became a real test for the factory workers and their brand new, not yet run-in cars. On the way, one of the cars found a casting defect, due to which all the antifreeze flowed out of the tank. Resourceful drivers plugged the hole with a knot, and instead of antifreeze, poured water - and set off on a further journey. And yet, one of the cars did not reach Red Square - the clutch lever was out of order. However, this rally only helped the KAMAZ engineers to identify weak spots new products.
BelAZ-540 (7522)
History of creation.The BelAZ-540 mining dump truck was developed at a plant in the Belarusian city of Zhodino in just a year - the Soviet industry urgently demanded to replace the 525 model, which was outdated in many respects. In 1961, a prototype appeared, and in 1965, after some revision, the mighty truck left the assembly line and went literally into the quarry. Note that Belarusian giants have come to court in many countries of the world, including not only Eastern Europe, but also China, Argentina, Pakistan.
Features.Carrying capacity of the car was 27 tons, unthinkable at that time, while the car itself weighed almost 21 tons. Surprisingly, with these parameters, BelAZ could accelerate to 55 kilometers per hour thanks to a V-shaped four-stroke 12-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 360 horsepower. A steering wheel with a screw, not a ball mechanism, and a hydromechanical transmission helped the driver to control such a colossus.
By the way. The huge BelAZ-540 seems rather miniature against the background latest development Zhodino machine builders with an index of 75710. This machine is capable of transporting 450 tons of cargo at a time, while its gross weight with a load will be 810 tons. BelAZ-75710 is recognized as the largest truck in the world.
The history of the Belarusian Automobile Plant (BelAZ) begins in September 1958, in the village of Zhodino on the outskirts of the city of Minsk on the basis of a land reclamation and road machinery plant, built back in 1947. Heavy mining dump trucks with an all-metal body and rear unloading became its specialization. The pioneer of production mining dump trucks in the USSR there was the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), where in 1950, under the leadership of chief designer B.L. Shaposhnik, the first domestic 25-ton dump truck MAZ-525 was created, and in 1957 - a 3-axle version MAZ-530 (6 × 4) with a carrying capacity of 40 tons. MAZ-525 was the first vehicle that was assembled at the Belarusian Automobile Plant November 6, 1958
MAZ-530 production was also transferred there. These dump trucks had a 12-cylinder V-shaped diesel D-12A with a capacity of 300 and 450 hp, planetary wheel gears and tires with a landing diameter of 32 inches. In September 1961, BelAZ assembled the first 27-ton BelAZ-540 dump truck with a gross weight of 48 tons. Produced since September 1965, it was equipped with a D-12A V12 diesel engine (38.8 liters., 375 hp). ), automatic hydromechanical 3 stepped box gears, wheel planetary reducers, power steering, 25-inch tires.
For the first time in the country, a hydropneumatic suspension and a combined hydraulic system were used on it. Since 1967, a modernized version of the BelAZ-540A has been produced with a new V12 diesel engine of the YaMZ-240 model (22.3 liters, 360 hp). The dump truck had a wheelbase of 3550 mm., Developed a maximum speed of 55 km / h. This car was the first in the USSR to be awarded the honorary quality mark at that time and corresponded to the world level. Since 1972, the so-called northern and tropical (export) versions have been produced - respectively “540C” and “540T”.
The 540V semitrailer tractor operated as part of a 45-ton dump truck train. Simultaneously with them, the plant offered a dump truck-coal carrier “7510”, in which the geometric capacity of the body was increased from 15 to 19 m 3. In 1967, the basis of the second, heavier family, was a 2-axle 40-ton dump truck BelAZ-548A with a gross weight of 69 tons with a wheelbase of 4200 mm. and a body with a capacity of 21 m 3. It used a diesel engine YaMZ-240N with a turbocharging capacity of 500 hp. The car was equipped with giant wheels for that time with tires of 21.00-33 in size.
The rest of its design was the same as the previous “540” family. In 1972, this dump truck began to be assembled in the northern version "548C", as a coal carrier "7525" with a 27 cc body and truck tractor "548V" for work with dump semitrailers with a carrying capacity of 65 tons. A diesel-electric road train with 4 traction motor-wheels with a capacity of 800 kW was also manufactured. Since 1968, using the units of these dump trucks, a 1-axle BelAZ-531 tractor has been produced for towing a scraper or a dump truck, the total weight of which reached 60 tons.
The development of this direction in the future became low and short-base aerodrome tractors for towing large airliners with a take-off weight of up to 210 tons. The plant offered three models “6411”, “7421” (1978), “74211” (1988) with diesel engines capacity of 375-525 hp, hydromechanical transmissions and suspensions, front and rear lifting cabins. In the 60s. the implementation of a program for the creation of dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 110 tons and more began on the basis of fundamentally different design solutions, which primarily included an electric transmission.
The car engine drove the generator direct current, which supplied electricity to the traction motors built into the rear wheel hubs, called the "motor-wheel". The first in December 1968, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Byelorussian SSR, was built an experienced 75-ton dump truck BelAZ-549 with a wheelbase of 4450 mm., A V8 diesel engine (58.2 liters., 950-1000 hp). ), an electric generator of 500 kW., motor-wheels with a capacity of 230 kW. each, independent hydropneumatic wheel suspension, separate hydraulic front and rear brakes, tires in size 27.00-49. The body capacity was 38-40 m 3, the gross weight of the dump truck was 142 tons, and the maximum speed was 60 km / h.
The "549" series produced since 1976 included the "549E" models with a V12 engine (43.7 liters, 1050 hp) with a turbocharger and an electric generator of 630 kW., "549B" and "549B" with V6 diesels ( 900 hp) or V8 (1100 hp), as well as the northern version "549C". Within the experimental work In 1969, a BelAZ-549V truck tractor with a 1200 hp gas turbine power unit was built, towing a 120-ton semitrailer. Its development in 1976 was the BelAZ-7420 truck tractor for a single-axle BelAZ-9590 semi-trailer with a carrying capacity of 120 tons.
It was equipped with a turbocharged V8 diesel engine (58 liters, 1300 hp) and an 800 kW electric generator, and the semi-trailer also had a wheel motor. With a total mass of 222 tons, the road train developed a speed of 50 km / h, consuming 600 g of fuel per 100 km. In the 80s. the series "540" was replaced by a 30-ton version of the BelAZ-7522 with more economical engine power of 360 hp, new transmission with an increased efficiency of the torque converter, an upgraded braking system and an updated radiator lining. The carbohydrate variant received the index “7526”.
Since 1981, they also produced 30-ton “75401” and “7540” for the removal of rock from deep quarries, equipped with a 445-horsepower diesel engine YaMZ-240PL2 with turbocharging. The upgraded version "548" with a carrying capacity of 42 tons was designated BelAZ-7523, and its carbon version was designated "7527". The successor of the “549” series is the 80-ton “7509” with rear disc brakes. In 1981, this series was developed in the design of the 110-ton dump truck “7519” with a wheelbase of 5300 mm. and a total weight of 195 tons.
It was equipped with a 1300 hp V8 diesel engine and a 630 kW generator. and four traction motor wheels 360 kW each. each one. The “75191” variant received a V6 engine (1100 hp). Front and rear drum brakes had an independent hydraulic drive... This giant, 5 m wide and over 6 m high, had a body with a capacity of 44 m 3, tires measuring 33.00-51, developed a maximum speed of 60 km / h and consumed 420 liters. fuel per 100 km. A year later, “7521” appeared with a carrying capacity of 180 tons (gross weight 330 tons) - one of the largest and powerful cars of its time.
It used a turbocharged V12 diesel (87.2 liters, 2300 hp) and a maximum torque of 11,860 Nm. The car was equipped with an electric transmission, which included a 1250 kW DC generator. and motor-wheels of 560 kW. The disc brakes had a pneumatic booster. The cabin was made 2-seater, an all-metal body with a capacity of 70 m 3 was equipped with heating. Tires were installed in the size 40.00-57. With a wheelbase of 6650 mm. dimensions were 13500x6050x7700 mm ..
The dump truck developed a speed of 50 km / h, and the average fuel consumption was 600 liters. per 100 km. By the end of the 80s. BelAZ has become the world's largest manufacturer of mining dump trucks, producing 5,000-5,500 such vehicles annually. This is the only plant in the world where most of these cars are assembled on an assembly line. At the turn of the 80-90s. BelAZ slowed down the pace of its development, continuing to produce slightly modernized versions of the previous basic series.
The basis of the program was the models “7540”, “7548”, “7549”, “7512” and “75214” with a carrying capacity of 30, 42, 80, 120 and 180 tons, respectively, and their carbon versions with engines from 420 to 2300 hp. ... The first car of the new generation appeared in 1995. It was a 55-ton BelAZ-7555, for which a choice of diesel engines YaMZ, MTU (MTU) or Cummins (Cummins) with a capacity of 525-730 hp was offered, a hydromechanical gearbox home-made or the American "Allison" (Allison), hydropneumatic wheel suspension with 35-inch tires.
In subsequent years, the plant continued to expand a new family of heavy-duty vehicles that retained the traditional electric transmission. In this difficult time, an updated range of unified dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 120-140 tons appeared. Its basis was the dump trucks “75121” and “75131” with diesel engines V8 and V16 with a capacity of 1200-1600 hp. and generators alternating current with converters and DC traction motors. This range was continued by the 200-ton model “75303” with a 2300 hp diesel engine.
The highest achievement of BelAZ and one of the world's largest diesel-electric dump trucks was the 280-ton BelAZ-75501 with a gross weight of 480 tons, built in 1992 together with japanese company "Komatsu" (Komatsu). For the first time in the practice of the plant, an articulated frame, front gable wheels and disc brakes on all wheels, video cameras instead of rear-view mirrors. The turbocharged V12 diesel from the Kolomensky Zavod (165.6 liters, 3150 hp) is placed outside the wheelbase, placed in front transversely and drives an alternator that supplies electricity to all four motor-wheels. Maximum speed giant car - 40 km / h.
In 1995, economic reforms forced BelAZ to abruptly change its mainline direction and start assembling the Polish 1.2-ton Lublin distribution trucks. To expand its program BelAZ continues to develop and produce new equipment: container carriers “7542”, chassis for truck cranes “5840”, in-plant conveyors “7920” for transporting ladles with molten metal, low-bed 140-ton conveyors “7921” and “7924” for metallurgical enterprises, watering cars "7648". At the end of the 90s, BelAZ annually produced 850-1100 dump trucks and chassis.
©. Photos are taken from publicly available sources.
Trucks the Soviet period and today can be found on the roads Russian Federation... Such vehicles have a number of positive characteristics and are the pride of a great power.
The first Soviet truck was created back in 1896, but at that time, up to the First World War, the domestic auto industry was not in demand. Only closer to 1916, the Soviet government decided that the whole country was in dire need of freight transport... At that moment, considerable funds were allocated for the construction of 6 factories. Unfortunately, only the AMO in Moscow was completed before the revolution. It was such a factory that began to produce the first serial Soviet cargo-type vehicles.
As soon as the machine kits imported before the revolution ran out, production stopped. Only in the 23rd year of the last century, the auto industry in Russia resumed again. The Italians went to meet the Great Soviet Power, the European state provided technical documentation for a Fiat car, model 15. Having slightly corrected the foreign copy, a truck, AMO-F-15, appeared on the territory of Russia. The length of such a car was 5050 mm, and the height reached 2250 mm. The propulsion element was the F-15 4-cylinder carburetor engine. In such a motor, the valves were at the bottom, and the cylinders were located vertically. The speed of such a truck could reach 50 km. per hour is, of course, the maximum rate. The average speed limit on the gravel road was 30 km. Such an engine was started using a special handle. The ignition spark was generated thanks to the magneto, and the battery was then only needed to power the headlights. Such a battery was not even enough for the signal to work properly, so a manual horn was widely used. The motor was cooled by air, a flywheel with specially attached blades created a cold air flow.
The wheelbase of the car called AMO-F-15 was quite interesting. The size of this part of the car was equal to - 880 X 185 mm. Semi-elliptical springs were located longitudinally and made up the front and rear dependent suspensions of the entire vehicle. The truck was characterized by a high level of cross-country ability. The front wheels were single-sided, and the rear wheels were dual-sided for remote ground pressure and high-quality grip.
The assembly of the very first such car was completed on November 1, 1924, and after 5 days ten such vehicles were demonstratively presented on Red Square. The government decided to arrange a test drive for such trucks, the route had a clear direction from Moscow to Leningrad, then Smolensk and Moscow. The route was covered without breakdowns in just 62 and a half hours.
Unfortunately, only 2 have survived to this day. legendary car AMO-F-15. One is currently in the Polytechnic Museum, and the second is on the territory of ZIL.
GAZ-AA
GAZ-AA was produced from 1932 to 1950. Such a unit was called "lorry" because of the peculiarities of its weight (the car weighs 1500 kg). This model of the Soviet truck is considered the most massive; in the history of the Union, about 1000 of them were produced. It was GAZ-AA that was the workhorse of the entire Red Army during the Second World War.
Such a three-ton car was also a legendary participant in a global war of the 40s. He was affectionately nicknamed "Zakhar Ivanovich". Serial production of such a unit began in the 33rd year of the last century. The military option was simplified as much as possible. Then the quantity of technology mattered, not its quality.
GAZ-51 is the ideal vehicle for the Virgin Lands. Such a unit began to be produced in the 40th year. Unfortunately, the military situation in the country prevented the serial production of such a truck. Large-scale automotive construction began after 46 years. GAZ-51 was used for the development of virgin lands.
Such a cargo unit is a successful clone of the American representative from the world of cargo transportation. Of course, it's not worth talking about complete similarity, only identical cabins united these two vehicles. The technical equipment of the ZiS-150 is pure water domestic development... Initially, the car body was made of wood in places. Such equipment was produced from 1947 to 1957.
The ZIL-130 truck in the past acted not only for the transportation of goods, but was also produced in the form of a snowblower, a tractor, and even a dump truck. Successful design and affordable price allowed to change the purpose of the transport unit. It was easy to operate such a car for decades, although what can I say if there are copies that work today.
Such a machine is designed specifically for extreme conditions. This is the first Soviet-style SUV. In this model, all 4 wheels are driven. Therefore, driving through mud does not make it difficult to move the truck at all. This is the best army apparatus of the last century.
The Ural-375 truck had three driving axles. Such vehicle was massively used for various purposes. Carrying capacity and endurance were decent. But due to minor errors, the government began to replace the SUV in 1982 new model Ural-4320. The Ural-375 is good, but problems with the braking system and an inefficient engine played a fatal role. Of course, the car was produced for civilians until 1992, but it no longer took part in military events.
The KrAZ-255's traction power and cross-country ability deserve the highest praise. This unit is a kind of legend. The production of the truck was launched in 1967 and today such "assistants" are widely used in civilian enterprises and in military units. You can even fill the KrAZ-255 with kerosene. In part, such a car was used as a tractor at airfields.
KamAZ
Soviet trucks, or rather their leader is KamAZ. The first car was a model - KamAZ-5320. The initial version was simple and inexpensive. Every year the car was transformed and supplemented with new technical characteristics. And today such a truck can be safely called the "King" of Soviet cargo transportation.
Today, on the roads, you rarely see old trucks that have traveled hundreds of thousands of kilometers throughout the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, some of them are still in the service of not very wealthy enterprises and organizations. Now it is difficult to imagine that once these plain dump trucks were real hard workers and worked on the most large-scale construction sites.
But still, the automotive industry of the USSR was rightfully considered one of the largest in the whole world. The constant need for new equipment motivated manufacturers to create more and more new models of trucks, as well as their modifications. And in order to present all production volumes, it is enough just to list all brands of trucks from the times of the USSR, and there were quite a few of them. GAS, ZIS, ZIL, MAZ, KrAZ, KamAZ, AMO and YAG - these are just the most popular ones. Some brands have already ceased to exist, as they could not withstand fierce competition. And many have retrained from the production of huge machines. They began to produce smaller, more maneuverable and economical trucks.
KamAZ trucks.
KamAZ is a real giant russian production heavy construction equipment... Cars of this brand began to be produced in 1975, and are still considered the best in terms of carrying capacity in their class. Is the first model of a truck produced under this brand. After long-term use, he was sent to the Museum of Automotive Technology. Heavy-duty trucks of this brand are constantly being improved, which means that all the needs of the market for heavy special equipment are satisfied. The success of the enterprise is evidenced by such facts as the widest prevalence in the CIS countries.
GAZ trucks.
GAS - the history of this brand began a long time ago, already from 1932. Gorky Automobile Plant was built in order to provide the famous ford brand... Nevertheless, although the first GAZs were produced according to ready-made drawings, there were also significant differences from the progenitor. In general, they were aimed at improving cross-country ability, increasing rigidity and reliability of parts. And already in 1933, the production of large 17-seater buses with a funny name was launched "October Horn"... Very soon, on their basis, the famous two-ton trucks began to be produced, as well as dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 1.2 tons. Before the start of World War II, more than ten vehicle modifications were produced. And during the war years, the main focus of the GAZ plant was the production of trucks, moreover, with increased cross-country ability... The legendary combat three-ton was distinguished by its simplicity of design and increased reliability, which facilitated any repair, even in the most difficult, field conditions... Some of the vehicles that took part in the hostilities are still preserved in museums. After the end of the war, the production of trucks continued. The technology was improving, and hence the characteristics of the car. The new one could already carry up to three tons of cargo. The release has also improved passenger cars... The famous Seagulls and Victory made the brand recognizable to this day. Today the plant produces small trucks of a truck character - Gazelles. Their modifications have long conquered Russian roads.
KrAZ trucks.
KrAZ are graduates of the Kremenchug Automobile Plant, which is located in Ukraine. It manufactures off-road trucks. The plant's products are exported to more than 30 countries around the world. The very first models of the plant - KrAZ-255 and its modifications conquered quite a few difficult routes on the roads of the former USSR, and some of them are still in good condition.
Trucks ZIS and AMO.
ZIS - originally had the name of the Likhachev Plant. This is a legendary plant, which has produced and is still producing the largest trucks, as well as special equipment. It includes utility vehicles, fire engines and special-purpose police vehicles. The plant was opened in 1916, and almost immediately began production of the first truck - one and a half ton FIAT-15 Ter from Italian components. Then he went into production and a truck of his own design - AMO-F-15. The lineup this plant includes not only trucks, but also sports and cars, however, they are very rare and were produced in small editions. But the main vocation of the plant is, of course, trucks and buses that still drive around our country. ZIL-3250, ZIL-436200 - the newest cars of this legendary factory. It is also worth noting that ZIS renamed several times, and the modern name of the plant is ZIL. Nevertheless, under the old name, a lot of technology was released, which at one time brought a lot of benefits to people. Last modification ZIS-151 was produced in the post-war years, until 1958. Also at this plant, trucks were produced under the brand name AMO – Automotive Moscow Society... Truck models AMO-2 and AMO-3 at one time they were very popular. However, their production lasted only a few years and finally ceased by 1935.
MAZ truck brand.
Huge MAZ 200R - perhaps one of the most famous brands trucks of our time. Various modifications of trucks are produced under this brand. This Belarusian plant has been operating for over 65 years and still supplies equipment to all countries of the former USSR. The founding of the plant in 1944 was justified by the lack of equipment during the war period. MAZs are also supplied to the countries of Africa and Brazil. This plant produces 60 modifications of trucks and more than 50 modifications of civil buses. Despite some difficulties, the plant did not stop its activities, and today it produces quite reliable equipment for a moderate fee. Many entrepreneurs prefer MAZs as a cheap alternative to foreign brands. In addition, the plant is not so far away, which means that the cost of transporting parts and machines is less. MAZ-206 Is one of the most popular buses in Belarus.
