Cars WWII

Few people know that the founder of the legendary cars that including the Soviet Union led to victory in World War II, was ... Henry Ford. It was on the platform of his constructed avtoshedevrov Soviet Gaza and Abstracts. The history of military vehicles as complex and event as the story itself WWII. Who does not know about the most famous cars of the Great Patriotic War - the Katyusha? However, for those who do not know: "Katyusha" - an informal collective name for armored rocket launchers BM-8 (82 mm), BM-13 (132 mm) and BM-31 (310 mm). Rockets were accepted for service in the Soviet Army in 1937-1938. In the years 1938-1941. in RNII II Gwaii, VN Galkovsky, AP Pavlenko and A. Popov created multiply launcher for these charges, mounted on a truck. In March 1941, were carried out successful field testing BM-13, as early as 21 June the same year, a few hours before the war, signed a decree on their mass production. June 26, 1941 to plant them. Comintern in Voronezh was completed assembly of the first two series of launchers BM-13 on the chassis of the ZIS-6, which were immediately adopted by the representatives of the Main Artillery Directorate. The following day plants were shipped under its own power in Moscow, where on June 28, after successful tests were combined with five previously manufactured in RNII installations in the battery to be sent to the front. For the first time the German invaders "experienced" Russian "Katyusha" in action July 14, 1941. Experimental artillery battery of seven vehicles, under the command of Captain I. Flerov was first used against the German army in the town of Orsha. And on Aug. 8, 1941 were formed by the first eight regiments of 36 cars. Subsequently, the production of "Katya" was organized at the Moscow plant "Compressor". As the chassis for rocket launchers but ZISov and Chevrolet used tanks T-70, but quickly rejected them - the engine of the tank and its transmission have proven too weak to plant could continuously run along the front lines. Initially, the same missilemen treated and did not gear - starting frame M-30 transported in a truck to be slowed them directly to the position. In 1943, after the "lend-lease" of supply, the main chassis for the BM-13 (BM-13H) was an American truck Studebaker US6. This was an improved modification. Until the end of WWII was made about 1800 of these guns. All in all, the Soviet industry in the period from July 1941 to December 1944 produced about 30 thousand military "Katyusha". One machine can accommodate from 14 to 48 runners. The weapons were inaccurate, but very effective in massive use. Was not without significance and emotional effect: during the volley all the missiles were produced almost simultaneously - for a few seconds of the territory in the target area is literally plowed heavy rockets. At the same time a deafening howl, which was accompanied by a rocket flight, literally crazy. Simultaneously, the installation could produce 8 to 32 missiles. Now it is difficult to say where a rocket launcher rocket fire came a gentle woman's name. There are several versions, each of whom has a right to exist. But, most likely from the label "KAT" ("The cumulative artillery thermite") on the rockets. In addition, the emergence of Guards mortar coincided with the popularity of the song "Katyusha". That stuck romantic name of the most terrible weapons of war. By the way, "Katyusha", which now stand on pedestals as monuments, almost never correspond to a real military vehicles. On these monuments are almost always appears rocket launcher based on ZIS-6. However, the "Katyusha" - are not the only Soviet cars, which became the basis for the U.S. samples. The famous "lorry", GAZ-AA, was originally a copy of Ford. When in the late 20's. Twentieth century in the Soviet Union agreed to establish a car factory conveyor had to ask for help from U.S. factories, since the Soviet automobile industry as such did not exist. The choice fell on Ford. While in the automotive world there was no figure more familiar than Henry Ford, whose plants produced in 1922 every second car on the planet. On these plants 31 May 1929 and left a government commission to gain experience. Henry Ford's company has committed to the Soviet Union technical assistance and advice in the construction of car plant, production of passenger cars and trucks are allowed, and access to American factories of Soviet specialists and trainees in quantities of 50 people annually. As the basic models for the new plant have been identified passenger car Ford A Ford truck and one and a half AA. February 1, 1930 in the assembly shop of the new Nizhny Novgorod automobile plant was installed the first 10 Ford AA trucks from imported parts. These cars are first called NAZ - reduction of the Nizhny Novgorod automobile factory. But after 1932 the city was renamed Gorky, in the name of the machine stuck forever Gaz. The first GAZ-AA were made according to specifications of Ford, however, Soviet designers critically approached Ford's documentation. It was necessary to strengthen the clutch, steering gear, install the air filter, etc. In 1930, under Soviet drawings was designed loading platform. Unlike the American Ford AA, on the Soviet GAZ-AA was reinforced clutch, steering gear, installed the air filter, etc. Back in 1930 on Soviet blueprints designed flatbed truck. Completely from parts of the Soviet GAZ-AA were collected since 1933. Up to 1934 cabin was made of wood and pressboard, and then replaced the metal cab with dermatinovoy roof. In 1938, the truck was upgraded and received a 50-horsepower engine GAZ-MM (a modification of the GAZ-M mounted on a passenger car GAZ-M1 "Molotovets-1, better known as" Emka "), an enhanced suspension and new steering gear and propeller shaft. After the outbreak of war due to lack of steel and several accessories GAZ was forced to move to release a simplified military truck GAZ-MM-B, whose doors were replaced by triangular side fences and collapsible canvas doors, fenders were made of roofing iron by a simple bending, no brakes at the front, left only one headlamp head light and there was only one flap. In 1944, the pre-war equipment was partially restored: there were wooden doors, ie, cab again become wood and metal (and remained so until the end of the truck), and later reappeared front brakes, folding side walls and the second lamp. "Lorry" is almost always operated with a significant (up to twofold) transshipment. But thanks to a low degree of compression (4,25:1), unpretentious and maintainability of the engines of GAZ-AA & GAZ-MM could be operated at the lowest grades of fuel, including kerosene, naphtha, and even (in the warmer months), and low-grade industrial lubricating oils. Was got this miracle of military technology curve pen-starter, because the ignition was weak and almost immediately went down. Specific deficits were tires, distinguished by low go, so in the late 30's and during the war, "lorry" often came down the assembly line with only two rear wheels, ie, with single wheels rear axle, which, respectively, reduced the load capacity. The chassis of this car was the base for the creation of a number of special modifications for military and civilian use: radio, radio-range detection ENG-2, radiomasterskie and repair "leaflets", avtolaboratorii hygienic and chemical-purpose fuel and maslozapravschiki, air-launch vehicle, acoustic and light anti-aircraft installation, the various tanks, irrigation, washing cars, ambulances, etc. The car speeds up to 70 km / h, while consuming about 20 liters per 100 kilometers. The main modification based on GAZ-AA & GAZ-MM was the GAZ-AAA - six-wheeled (triaxial with 6x4) cross-country truck carrying capacity of 2 tons It was created on licensed truck Ford Timken sample of 1931. Years of production: 1934-1943. In 1937, he received a more powerful 50-hp engine and other parts of the GAZ-MM. Total output in 1943 amounted to 37,373 units. During the war GAZ produced 102.3 thousand vehicles of all types. Last GAZ-MM rolled out Oct. 10, 1949. Gorky's "lorry", more than half the fleet of the Red Army. Second half - three-ton "VMS. Progenitor ZIS, plant them. Joseph Stalin, which was created ZIS-110B, is Autoworks AMO (Moscow Automobile Company), based brothers Ryabushinskys August 2, 1916. Until 1924, the plant was built parallel to engaging in repairing vehicles of different brands. ZIS-5 placed on the conveyor without the pre-assembly of the prototype 1 October 1933 and, according to the memoirs of contemporaries, all immediately went smoothly, without interruption. The new car failed to start the series as soon as possible. The machine design was a classic - spar frame, semi-elliptic leaf springs, front axle is slightly ahead. Cab - a rectangular, wooden, upholstered tin. The drive brakes - mechanical engine - a six-cylinder capacity of 73 hp at 2300 rpm. Production of cars is constantly expanded. In the first month was collected for six or seven cars a day, then - tens and hundreds. The truck worked well on the roads, has quickly gained a reputation for unpretentious and reliable technology. Georgia on ZIS-5, as a rule, 4-5 m, although it was designed by three. By June 1941 the popular "trehtonok" in the Red Army, there were 104 thousand from June 1942 from the pipeline again began to go "three-ton" in a simplified form of wartime - the model of the ZIS-5V. On a new truck mechanical brakes were installed only on the rear wheels were wooden steps, mud flaps, steering wheel rim, round wings gave way to flat, curved steel plate. The cab driver received a wooden frame sheathed with lath, paneling, while the body was left alone flap - back. In order to save on a new car to install only the left headlight. Initially, the ZIS-5B was produced at the plant and the AMO, which has since been out of production 30 April 1948. The first release of this version of the machine has mastered the newly created (based on evacuated shops ZIS), the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant - in February 1942. Simultaneously, the construction of plant in Miass in the Urals. May 1, 1942 with the first rolled off the Ural engine for the "three-ton." During 1942 UralZIS produced for the Moscow Automobile 9303 motor and 15,375 transmissions. In July 1944, the assembly line began to go and cars ZIS-5V. Difference and advantage of ZIS-5V output UralZiSa lay in the fact that, unlike in Moscow crises that Miass truck was equipped with high-power engine ZIS-5M. This allows you to overclock to 35% faster and save fuel as high as 10-16%. Even ending the fighting way, ZIS-5B has long remained on the line - Miass Automobile let him until 1958. In total during the war years the main assembly line of the Ural Automobile descended over 5500 ZIS-5V. Actually, these two cars - GAZ ZIS - and accounted for the entire military fleet of the Soviet Union. This, incidentally, was one of the advantages of the Red Army - the same type facilitate repairs and maintenance. Moreover, the cars assembled and disassembled with minimal tools. Speaking of military vehicles, can not remember the Willys - completely American, get us on the Lend-Lease SUV. From the U.S. to the USSR during the war were delivered 409.5 thousand cars, that is 1,5 times the Soviet production during the war. By the end of the war (on May 1, 1945) in the car park of the Red Army supplied under Lend-Lease vehicles were 32,8% (58,1% were cars of domestic production and 9,1% - captured the car). The origins of the company Willys takes from a small company Standard Wheel in the town of Terre Haute (USA, Indiana), founded in 1903. Standard Wheel produced bicycles, and then - cars. In 1905 the company acquired a merchant and philanthropist John North Willys and gave it its name. For automotive production company acquired bankrupt company shop Pope-Toledo and moved to Toledo (USA, Ohio). Jeep has upgraded the firm, taking as a sample of the same innovations of Henry Ford. In 1914, the new Overland 79 with four-liter engine for the first time included a group of American cars with the highest demand. In 1920 she created a branch in England Willys Overland Crossly, who collects cars, equipping them with the American engine volume 2.4 liters or local Morris working volume of 1.8 liters. In the 30's, not the most successful for the company, Willys still produces inexpensive Willys 77. This model has remained the sole support Willys until the beginning of the war. In 1940, Willys and Ford have developed a version of the Rover, which took into account developments firm Bantam. All three cars have earned appreciation, and each firm has received an order for 1500 cars, deliveries of which began in 1941. In 1942 the mass production of automobiles began under the name Willys MB and Ford GPW, which were virtually indistinguishable from each other. On them was a standard motor from Willys 77 and a three-stage gear box. ATV could accommodate four people, weighed a little over 1 m and speeds of up to 105 km / h. All in all those years, Willys produced over 360 thousand SUVs, most of whom entered the Soviet Army. Army Willys SUV brought worldwide fame. It is not surprising that in the second half of the 40's, and in the 50-ies of XX century, all development company based on its basis. But since then, Willys and could not create anything new, and in 1953 decided to merge with a company Kaiser Fraser, specialized in comfortable first-class cars. Henry Kaiser bought Willys, all property of the company and actually turned it into a branch of his company. In 1954 was opened by the Brazilian branch of Willys Overland do Brasil. In 1963 the name was changed to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation, and all the cars became known as Jeep. By 1972, with models of Willys in Brazil was over, and the brand eventually disappeared from the automotive world.