Russian Prime Movers

Due to the militarized nature of the Russian economy, it was relatively easy to utilize civilian vehicle designs for military use. Russian vehicles in use at the start of the campaign relied heavily on pre-war American designs and influences. Despite this they were built using the usual Russian principals of simplicity and durability. However the huge losses of material suffered during the early stages of the campaign and the priority there after for Russian industry to produce armored vehicles, left the Red Army devoid of sufficient vehicles. This forced the Red Army to rely heavily on lend lease vehicles, and only once these became readily available did it become a mobile force once more.

Weight: 1.3tons.

Speed: 90kmh (56mph).

Range: 380km (237 miles).

The Gaz series of jeeps were largely inspired by the American lend lease jeeps. The Gaz design bureau developed several pre-production models, resulting in the narrow-treaded Gaz 64, which was introduced in 1942. Further design improvements resulted in the Gaz 67 which entered production in September 1943. To accelerate production, the vehicle was largely composed of existing components. It used the engine, gearbox and under seat fuel tank from the Gaz MM truck, and the radiator from the Gaz AAA truck. Despite its four wheel drive, the vehicle performed poorly off road. The vehicle also suffered from some major drawbacks including high fuel consumption and a poor braking system.
The Gaz 67 differed from the later Gaz 67B by the welded front grill poles that replaced the one-sheet metal front grill, similar to the way the Willys MB slat grill differed from the later production model. The Gaz 67B also featured a wider wheelbase to improve stability. The vehicle remained in production until after the end of the war.

Weight: 1.7 tons.

Speed: 70kmh (43mph).

Range: 200km (125 miles).

This twin axle vehicle, introduced in 1934, was a copy of the Ford AA Model 1929, built under licence in Russia. The Gaz AA was robust, reliable and functioned well on the low octane fuels commonly used by Russian forces. In 1938 an improved model was introduced. The Gaz MM was similar, but featured a new Gaz M1 engine and a wooden cab. Despite the vehicles age at the outbreak of the war, its simplicity, ease of maintenance and reliability made it highly popular. The vehicle was nicknamed 'Polutorka' (one and a half) relating to its payload capacity. The vehicle remained in production until after the end of the war.

Gaz AAA 1937 1.5 ton Cargo

Weight: 2.4 tons.

Speed: 65 kmh (40mph).

Range: 215km (134 miles).

This triple axle truck, introduced in 1934, was based on the Gaz AA. It proved as robust and reliable as its smaller counterpart and remained in production until 1943. Its chassis served as the base for many variants, among them as an AA truck carrying the 37mm 61-K gun, as a self-propelled 76mm field gun, the SU-12, as an ambulance and also as a mobile workshop. The Gaz AAA chassis was also used as the basis for the Ba6 and Ba10 armoured cars. In 1940, the vehicle received some production modifications. The new model was characterized by a new rear pintle and mounting of the two spare wheels into the front fenders.

Weight: 3tons.

Speed: 60kmh (40mph).

Range: 195km (121 miles).

The Zis 5, introduced in 1933, was a copy of the American Autocar truck, built under licence in Russia. The vehicle was robust, reliable, functioned well on the low octane fuels commonly used by Russian forces and had no difficulty starting in the harsh conditions of the Russian winter. Following the German invasion, production was halted in October 1941 and Zis production was moved to Ulianovsk and Ural. Production resumed in early 1942 and continued until after the war. Production was simplified with the introduction of flat fenders and some wooden parts, including doors and seats. The vehicle was nicknamed 'Tryohtonka' relating to the vehicles payload capacity. It suffered from a poor braking system and inadequate suspension, but even these features barely reduced its performance.

Komintern Artillery Tractor

Weight: 10 tons.

Speed: 30kmh (18mph).

Range: 220km (137 miles).

To solve the problem of transporting heavy artillery guns, their crew and ammunition, development of a series of heavy tractors was begun. The first of these was introduced in 1934 and accepted for service as the 'artillery tractor Komintern'. The vehicle was based on the chassis of the T-24 tank. It was powered by a diesel engine and many of the faults of the T-24 were eradicated. It was used widely for transporting all types of field artillery, including the 203mm B4 howitzers. In 1940, production of the Komintern was cancelled in favour of the more modern Voroshilovets.

Weight: 10 tons.

Speed: 20kmh (12.5mph).

Range: 250km (156 miles).

The Komsomolets T-20 tractor was introduced in 1936 as light towing tractor. The vehicle featured a small armoured cab for the driver and commander, which also housed a ball mounted 7.62mm DT machine gun. However there was little protection for the gun crew seated at the rear of the vehicle. Many of the mechanical parts were utilised from both the T-38 tankette and the Gaz AAA truck in order to simplify production. The vehicle suffered from many technical problems including rapid engine wear due to the poor air cooling system, instability due to the narrow wheelbase and tracks that were prone to jumping off if fowled. Production of the tractor ended in mid 1941, but the vehicles remained in use throughout the remainder of the war.

Weight: 15.5 tons.

Speed: 36kmh (22.5mph).

Range: 270km (168 miles).

The Voroshilovets was introduced in 1938 as a replacement for the Komintern. The layout was identical to its predecessor, but featured an enhanced transmission, running gear, winch, and in 1939 the V-2V diesel engine was installed in it. Initially the vehicles were produced at the Kharkov Locomotive Plant, but production was suspended in late 1941 and moved to a new facility at Nizhnyi Tagil. The vehicle remained in production until 1942, but remained in service throughout the remainder of the war.