ZIS-6

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.

ZIS-6
ZIS-6 platformed with BM-13 Katyusha battery front
Type	General purpose cargo truck
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
Used by	Soviet Union
Wars	World War II
Production history
Manufacturer	Moscow Zavod imeni Stalina factory
Produced	1933-1941 (first prototype dated by 1931)
No. built	21,239
Specifications
Mass	4,230 kg (9,326 lb)
Height	2,160 mm (85.0 in)
Crew	2 - 3
Engine	6-cyl. SV, 5555 cc, watercooled 54 kW (73 hp)
Power/weight	12.9 kW/t (17.3 hp/t)
Payload capacity	4,000 kg (8,818 lb) 2,500 kg (5,512 lb) (unpaved road)
Transmission	4×2 speed
Maximum speed	Maximum speed: 55 km/h (34 mph)

ZIS-6 platformed with BM-13 Katyusha battery rear

Kolyma road construction 1938

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.