The GAZ-66 is a Soviet and later Russian 4x4 all-road (off-road) military truck produced by GAZ. It was one of the main cargo vehicles for motorized infantry of the Soviet Army and is still employed in former Soviet Union countries.[1] It is nicknamed shishiga (шишига), shisharik (шишарик)/shehsherik (шешерик), trueman (in Siberia).
GAZ-66 | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | GAZ |
Production | 1964-1998 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Truck |
Layout | F4 layout |
Powertrain | |
Transmission | 4-speed manual |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 3,300 mm (129.9 in) |
Length | 5,805 mm (228.5 in) |
Width | 2,322 mm (91.4 in) |
Height | 2,520 mm (99.2 in) |
Curb weight | 3,440 kg (7,584 lb) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | GAZ-63 |
Successor | GAZ-3308 |
History
After tests and trials, in 1969 GAZ-66 received the state quality mark of the USSR. It was the first USSR truck to receive such an award.[2]
Almost one million vehicles of this type were built for both military and civil use. The GAZ-66 has gained legendary status in many countries around the world due to its reliability, simplicity and off-road capability.[3] Since the 1960s, the GAZ-66 has been popular with armed forces and off-road enthusiasts.[4] Production ceased in 1999, with the GAZ-3308 being produced instead.
Basic versions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/A_GAZ-66_truck_at_Tambov_Airshow_2007.jpg/220px-A_GAZ-66_truck_at_Tambov_Airshow_2007.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/GAZ_66.jpg/220px-GAZ_66.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/GAZ-66_truck_in_Russian_military_service%2C_used_as_a_communication_centre.jpg/220px-GAZ-66_truck_in_Russian_military_service%2C_used_as_a_communication_centre.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/ASC_Leiden_-_Coutinho_Collection_-_G_20_-_Life_in_Ziguinchor%2C_Senegal_-_PAIGC_office_in_Ziguinchor%2C_also_Coutinho%E2%80%99s_home_-_1973.tif/lossy-page1-220px-ASC_Leiden_-_Coutinho_Collection_-_G_20_-_Life_in_Ziguinchor%2C_Senegal_-_PAIGC_office_in_Ziguinchor%2C_also_Coutinho%E2%80%99s_home_-_1973.tif.jpg)
- 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 a winch
- GAZ-34 - a 6×6 prototype
- GAZ-66B (1966) - Paratrooper version with telescopic steering column, folding roof and folding windshield frame
- BM-21V "Grad-V" (Vozdushnodesantiy – 'airborne') (NATO designation M1975): Developed for airborne troops in 1969. A GAZ-66B four-by-four truck chassis is fitted with a 12-round 122 mm rocket launcher. The vehicle is sturdy enough to be air-dropped. Parts of the vehicle such as the canvas cab roof can be taken off or folded down to reduce its size during transit. Like the BM-21, the BM-21V has stabilizing jacks on the rear of the vehicle for support when firing. The launch vehicle has the industrial index of 9P125.
- GAZ-66D (1964-1968) - the chassis with a power take-off
- GAZ-66P - tractor (experimental)
- GAZ-66E (1964-1968) - with shielded electrical equipment
- GAZ-66-01 (1968-1985) - the base model with a centralized control system for tire pressure
- GAZ-66-02 (1968-1985) - with a winch
- GAZ-66-03 (1964-1968) - with shielded electrical equipment
- GAZ-66-04 (1968-1985) - the chassis with shielded electrical equipment
- GAZ-66-05 (1968-1985) - with shielded electrical equipment and a winch
- GAZ-66-11 (1985-1996) - upgraded base model
- GAZ-66-12 (1985-1996) - with a winch
- GAZ-66-14 (1985-1996) - the chassis with shielded electrical equipment and a 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 with 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 GAZ-544 diesel engine
- GAZ-66-40 (1995-1999) - with a GAZ-5441 turbodiesel
- GAZ-66-92 (1987-1995) - for use in the far north
- GAZ-66-96 - chassis for shift buses
Export versions
- GAZ-66-51 (1968-1985)
- GAZ-66-52 (1968-1985) - with a winch
- GAZ-66-81 (1985-1995) - for countries with a temperate climate
- GAZ-66-91 (1985-1995) - for countries with a tropical climate
Specialised versions
- 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 to 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)
Operators
Angola[5]
Armenia[6]
Bulgaria[7]
China
Cuba[8]
Egypt[5]
Georgia[9]
Guinea-Bissau
Hungary
Iran[5]
Iraq[10]
Libya[11]
Moldova - Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova[12]
North Korea
Laos
Poland
Syria
Romania - Romanian Armed Forces
Russia[13]
Transnistria
Ukraine - Ukrainian Armed Forces[14]
Vietnam
Former operators
Afghanistan - Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan[15]
Finland[5] – purchased 200 regular GAZ-66 trucks and 100 special versions for Finnish defence forces 1972–1975. Another round (140 units) in year 1986–1989.
East Germany – passed on to Germany after reunification; retired.
Soviet Union – passed on to successor states.
Specifications
Specifications for GAZ-66-11[16][17]
- Design
- Cab-forward design, 2-seat cab + 21 passengers in the 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 petrol (carburetor) OHV engine; heavy duty version of the ZMZ-53[18][19][20]
- 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 2,322 mm (7 ft 7 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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/The_Soviet_Union_1971_CPA_3998_stamp_%28GAZ-66_Truck%29.jpg/220px-The_Soviet_Union_1971_CPA_3998_stamp_%28GAZ-66_Truck%29.jpg)
- 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 set on fire and submerged in water. After all these tests, it kept going.
- The GAZ-66 was featured in the movie The Expendables 2 with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
- The GAZ-66 is a truck in the game MudRunner with the name of B-66 due to copyright claims.
- In the 2019 HBO TV miniseries Chernobyl, the truck is used by Gen. Col. Vladimir Pikalov, commander of the Soviet Chemical Troops, to carry out a radiation measuring at the damaged power plant, with high-range dosimeter placed at the front and lead sheets covering the cabin.
- In the 2020 film Wonder Woman 1984. Appears in the Middle Eastern convoy scene.
Bibliography
- Foss, Christopher F.; Gander, Terry J., eds. (1991). Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics 1991-92 (12 ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-0950-2.
References
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- English website for Russian Military Trucks
- The UK home of the Gaz 66
- GAZ-66 enthusiast group
- The German home of the GAZ-66
- German blog with GAZ-66 restoration and travel info
- GAZ-66 enthusiast website
- Polish GAZ-66 site
- GAZ-66 expedition site
- GAZ-66 blog
- GAZ-66 Video
- GAZ-66 Video
- GAZ-66 Video
- History of the predecessor of GAZ-66 - GAZ-62 (rus)
- GAZ-66 3d model
- GAZ-66 3d 360-view