ZIL » 135MSH

In the mid 60s there was a strange idea to create a multi-axial self-propelled vehicle with carrying capacity of 100 tonnes with adjustable height of the chassis that combines automotive and aviation units. It can be used to deliver large parts and fully assembled intercontinental ballistic missiles and spacecrafts to Baikonur space port. The prototype was made in 1967 using units of ZIL-135 and named ZIL-135MSH.

The chassis had a payload of 12 tonnes and a very unusual wheel configuration 4x4+2x2 - with four pairs of front wheels and two rear wheels. A modified fiberglass cabin from ZIL-135K was located in front end of strong welded frame. The rear cargo bed with a high wooden flatbed body with a canopy and two fuel tanks was based on a normal driving axle of ZIL-130B tractor. In fact, the body masked an engine compartment. A 180-hp engine ZIL-375YA and DC generator GET-120 with a power of 120kW was located in the middle. At the rear, there was a second engine (the same) which works with a hydro-mechanical transmission and transfer gearbox from ZIL-157K. It was used as a backup power unit to drive the rear axle.

Between the cab and body vertically at a distance of two meters from each other were located two active aircraft slewing strut with telescopic dampers and hydropneumatic suspension of IL-18, allowed to change the ride height in a fairly wide range. Each hub with a single-stage planetary gear was embedded a DT-15M 15kW electric motor. Curb weight - 12.9 tonnes, wheelbase - 4460 mm, overall dimensions - 9460x3660x3120 mm. The first tests began in June 1967 and gave a very optimistic results, but at the end of the tests the project was closed.