GAZ-66

GAZ-66

The GAZ-66 is a Soviet and later Russian 4x4 all-road (off road) military truck produced by GAZ. It was the main transport vehicle for motorized infantry of the Soviet Army and is still employed in former Soviet Union countries. It is nicknamed shishiga (шишига) shehsherik (шешерик) trueman (in Siberia).

The GAZ-66 has gained legendary status in many countries around the world due to its reliability, simplicity and off-road capability. Thanks to standard features such as a front mounted winch, Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) and self-locking differentials the GAZ-66 is extremely popular with armed forces all around the world as well as off-road enthusiasts. Production ceased in 1999, with the GAZ-3308 being produced instead.

Basic versions

Gaz-66 based fire engine

GAZ-66-1 (1964-1968) - the first model with no centralized system for adjusting the air pressure in the tires
GAZ-66A (1964-1968) - with winch
GAZ-34 - a prototype with a wheeled 6 × 6
GAZ-66B (1966) - Airborne version with telescopic steering column, folding roof and folding windshield frame
GAZ-66D (1964-1968) - the chassis with power take-off
GAZ-66P - tractor (experimental)
GAZ-66E (1964-1968) - with shielded electrical
GAZ-66-01 (1968-1985) - the base model with a centralized control system for tire pressure
GAZ-66-02 (1968-1985) - with winch
GAZ-66-03 (1964-1968) - with shielded electrical
GAZ-66-04 (1968-1985) - the chassis with shielded electrical
GAZ-66-05 (1968-1985) - with shielded electrical equipment and a winch
GAZ-66-11 (1985-1996) - upgraded the base model
GAZ-66-12 (1985-1996) - with winch
GAZ-66-14 (1985-1996) - the chassis with shielded electrical equipment and power take-off

Military versions

GAZ-66-15 (1985-1996) - with shielded electrical equipment and a winch
GAZ-66-16 (1991-1993) - modernized version with ZMZ-513.10, reinforced tires (wheels - lean), completed the brakes, the platform without intruding wheel niches (also installed on GAZ-66-11 and GAZ-66-40 ), load capacity 2.3 tons
GAZ-66-21 (1993-1995) - the national-economic modification of the dual tires and rear axle wooden platform GAZ-53, load capacity 3.5 tons
GAZ-66-31 - chassis for trucks
GAZ-66-41 (1992-1995) - a naturally aspirated diesel engine GAZ-544
GAZ-66-40 (1995-1999) - with a turbodiesel GAZ-5441
GAZ-66-92 (1987-1995) - for use in the far north
GAZ-66-96 - chassis for shift buses

Export versions

GAZ-SAZ-3531

Destroyed trucks on the Highway of Death, Iraq

A destroyed GAZ truck on the Highway of Death, Iraq

GAZ-66-51 (1968-1985)
GAZ-66-52 (1968-1985) - with winch
GAZ-66-81 (1985-1995) - for countries with a temperate climate
GAZ-66-91 (1985-1995) - for countries with tropical climates

Specialised versions

Battered Gaz 66 Watch bus on farm in Voronezh Oblast

AP-2 - aid station, the main transport unit regimental aid station .
AS-66 - ambulance, designed to evacuate the wounded.
DDA-2 - disinfecting shower installation, is used in the military (sometimes civil) sanitary-epidemiological units.
GZSA-731, 983A, 947, 3713, 3714 - Vans "Mail", "bread" and "Medicine."
MZ-66 - Lube.
3902, 3903, 39021, 39031 - mobile workshops to provide technical assistance agricultural machinery.
2001, 2002, 3718, 3719, 3716, 3924, 39521 - mobile clinics.
NZAS-3964, Volgar-39461 - watch buses
GAZ-SAZ-3511 - tipper for agricultural purposes on the GAZ-66-31 (build - Saransk).
GAZ-KAZ-3511 - tipper for agricultural purposes on GAZ-66-31 (build - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)

Specifications

Specifications for GAZ 66-11^[1]

Design

Cab-forward design, 2 seats cab + 21 passengers in back.
Payload: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) plus the same weight trailer
Suspension: Solid axles with leaf springs

Engine

Type- ZMZ-66-06 V8 gasoline (carburetor) OHV engine
Displacement: 4,254 cc (Bore 92 mm (3.622 in), Stroke 80 mm (3.150 in))
Compression ratio: 7.6:1
Output: 120 hp (89 kW) @ 3,200 rpm
Torque: 284.5 N·m (210 lbf·ft) @ 2,000-2200 rpm
Max. speed- 90 km/h (56 mph)(speed governed)

Brakes

Type: Drums, with hydraulic control, single circuit, servo assisted
Stopping distance from 20 mph: 27'

Measurements

L×W×H: 5,805 mm (19 ft 1 in) x 2,525 mm (8 ft 3 in) x 2,490 mm (8 ft 2 in)(cab) / 2,520 mm (8 ft 3 in)(tent)
Wheelbase: 3,300 mm (129.92 in)
Track front/rear: 1,820 mm (71.65 in)/1,750 mm (68.90 in)
Curb weight: 3,440 kg (7,580 lb)
Fuel tanks: 2 x 105 l (23 imp gal; 28 US gal)
Fuel economy: 31.5 l/100 km (9 mpg_-imp; 7 mpg_-US)

Maneuverability

Turning circle: 9.5 m (31 ft)
Approach angle: 41°
Departure angle: 32°
Max. ascent angle: 31–37° (fully loaded)
Ground clearance: 315 mm (12 in)
Fording depth: 1 m (39 in)

Tires

Size: 12–18"
Pressure: Adjustable with central tyre inflation system from cab

Popular culture

Soviet stamp, 1971.

In the 2010 game Call of Duty: Black Ops, the GAZ 66 is used as a transport for guards in the level "Vorkuta."
It is mentioned in the 1991 Tom Clancy novel The Sum Of All Fears.
In the Russian version of the TV show Top Gear a test was conducted on the vehicle's strengths: the body had building rubble dropped on it, it was burned, the car also was drowned in the water. After all these tests, it was got and kept going.
The Gaz-66 was featured in the movie The Expendables 2 with Jean-Claude Van Damme.

References

↑ "Основные ТТХ серийного ГАЗ-66-11 (1985–1996)".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to GAZ-66.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to GAZ-66 trucks in military service.