Unique Soviet Snowmobiles
|
|
"QUANTUM SHOT" #332link You thought Ekranoplans were cool? These are not bad, either. In our first article "Incredible Snowmobiles" we covered some of the most fascinating snow vehicles, including the giant Polar Regions exploring behemoths. In this article we'll focus on exotic Soviet military snow vehicles, and some civilian and scientific applications of these machines. ![]() (source: TM, Russia 1970) The image above shows Russian huge all-terrain vehicle "Kharkovchanka" (made by Kharkov tractor factory), meant to conquer the Arctic and the Antarctic in the 1950s. Its truly gargantuan scale did not prevent it from moving at 40 km/h and climbing 30 degree inclines. ![]() "Kharkovchanka" helped Soviet expeditions to reach the South Pole multiple times, and according to some sources, still remains in use at Russian polar stations. They praise the vehicle as the best ice/snow transportation ever made. This page details Russian South Pole Traverse, using five tractors and ten towed sledges: ![]() ![]() It's a Cold, Cold, Cold War Any war on Russian territory always comes down to who has the best ability to cope with extreme winter conditions and the absence of any kind of roads. Add to it the huge distances to cover and no infrastructure to help you out if anything breaks down. Well, with these "aero-sled" prototypes (and a bottle of vodka) you can get anywhere, even in seemingly infinite Siberia. ![]() ![]() The first aero-sled divisions were supplied to Russian Army in 1941 and battled against Nazis in the winter of 1942. The Germans were amazed to see such winter mobility, being hopelessly mired in snow & mud covered Russian countryside themselves. RF-8 model was especially successful, being the result of many 1932-1941 prototypes, designed by engineer M. Veselovski. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() (images are from Oleg Tulnev and I. Yuvenaliev collections) One nice feature of these models was the use of a normal automotive engine, not the custom airplane one. It was easy to repair and had a propeller, made from steel, not wood - increasing its ability to break through dense snow-covered forest. ![]() (drawing by Seleznev, Timakov, Timchenko) The other model used against German invasion: NKL-26 - ![]() ![]() The first prototypes were developed as far back as 1919 by a bureau of "TZAGI" and "NAMI", and were successfully used in World War One, in suppressing the Krondtstadt uprising, for example. The following drawings show the 1930s model - ANT-4, used in mail delivery on remote routes in Siberia, and even as a support vehicle in Arctic expeditions. ![]() ![]() (drawings by I. Yuvenaliev) These military snowmobiles from World War Two were not very fast (average speed was 25 km/h), and had comparatively light armor, so they did not compete with tanks, but provided instead a highly mobile (off-road) unit, capable of surgical strikes in enemy territory. ![]() It is interesting to note that Americans had a little different idea for the same military use: ![]() (Cover of Popular Science, Dec. 1936) Tatra V855 (1942) - Nazi's answer to Soviet snowmobiles Faced with the prospect of the harsh Soviet winter, the Nazis decided to experiment with snowmobiles, as well. Tatra was one of the many firms that built prototypes. This aerodynamic vehicle was powered by modified T-87 engine; only 2 vehicles were built and they never went into production. Note the drum roller in the back, used when climbing uphill. It also drove the vehicle in city traffic and functioned as a brake. ![]() ![]() (image credit: tatraworld) When their own prototypes did not materialize, the Nazis captured Soviet-made aero-sledges and happily used them themselves: ![]() (images credit: allwheel) Dozens of Models, Wide-Spread Use It may come as a surprise to technology buffs today, but the history of Soviet aerosled-snowmobile industry is rich and varied. Dozens of various models were built, used extensively in scientific exploration and on the battlefield. The reason for such spurt of creativity is the strong support of the highest Communist officials, starting shortly after the Revolution. Here is a sample of only a few (from a wide catalog) of models: Aero-sled KM-4 "Purga" (the Snowstorm) ![]() ![]() (drawings by I. Yuvenaliev) ASD-400 model: (widely used in Siberia) ![]() GAZ-98 ![]() and a few more war-time military models: NKL-26 ![]() NKL-16 (used mostly as a transport vehicle) ![]() ![]() The wheeled version for the summer: ![]() More and more variations: ![]() ![]() "Sever-2", Post-war neat aero-sled Based on the Soviet post-war car "Pobeda", "Victory" (which in turn was probably copied from the post-war German "Opel" model), this aero-sled was designed in 1959 by engineer I. Kamov, famous for his helicopters. Again, this vehicle was widely used for mail delivery and passenger transportation in remote Siberian regions. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() (images credit: gaz20.spb.ru) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() (images credit: alluneed.ru) Rare Off-road Model for the Soviet Youth (built in the 60s) "Veterok" ("the swift wind") model remained in concept stage for a very long time (due to the famous Soviet red tape). Only a few prototypes were built, and unfortunately never achieved mass production... It would've been a very cool alternative to Jeeps, loved by all off-road enthusiasts, I dare say: (click to enlarge) ![]() (source: TM, Russia 1968) KA-30 Snowmobile, a van/bus/suburban SUV on skis The concept is described as a "dream of the Soviet youth from the polar regions". It was a great vehicle (while it stayed in production): powerful, swift, available in different modifications. ![]() ![]() ![]() Various layouts for business, passenger transportation and ambulance use: ![]() Apparently it could also be used in combination with floating and hydro-planing equipment (not to be stopped by waterways and rivers, which are sometimes the only transportation option) - ![]() (source: TM, Russia 1969) ![]() Some surviving models one could still find in use today: ![]() Keeping in mind that the amount of snow in Russia can be simply unbelievable, these transportation options are more than welcome: ![]() ![]() It is a testimony to the ingenuity of Russian designers and the general ineptitude of Soviet regime to follow-through on any great consumer product, that none of these awesome snowmobile models were made in truly big numbers into the 70s and 80s. Most Bizarre All-Terrain Vehicle Ever Conceived We have to finish with this idea, from the Soviet technology magazine in 1937. Engineer Georgi Pokrovski had the ultimate solution for conquering polar wastes: a hybrid of sea-going vessel with a giant tracked mobile base. He called it an "Arctic Amphibian Tank" and described it as 1000-tons fortress which will navigate the icy plains with tracks and use them to propel the ship through the water as well... ![]() Sources: Armor Kiev, Gaz20 Permanent Link... ![]() Category: Technology,Vintage, Military Related Posts: Incredible Snowmobiles, Ekranoplans Dark Roasted Blend's Photography Gear Picks: |
READ LATEST POSTS:
|
Spectacular Steampunk Art Update Part 2 of this eye-popping, mind-boggling series |
|
Biscotti Bits Mixed Links & Images incl. "Post-it Love" |
![]() |
Fall in Love with SF Again! Two of the most entertaining SF novels from the 1980s |
COMMENTS:
|
|
SF ART & BOOK REVIEWS: Don't miss: The Ultimate Guide to SF&F Writers! Fiction Reviews: Alastair Reynolds "Chasm City" Short Fiction Reviews: Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness" (with pics) New Fiction Reviews: The Surreal Office |
MORE RECENT POSTS:
|
Anything for the Perfect Shot! - Part 3 Photographers can be crazy, with a good reason |
|
Charmed by the Unknown Brazil Incredibly colorful festival Boi-Bumba! and more |
|
Ekranoplans Showcase, Part 2 Mind-boggling, unique concepts |
|
Riot Vehicle with Water Cannon (used in Colombia) A detailed look at the newest SWAT truck |
|
Thrilling Vintage Movie Posters Spewed from Intergalactic Space!.. |
|
Cheers to Beers! A selection of world's beers that simply boggle the mind |
|
World's Most Interesting Bridges, Part 3 Awe-inspiring Construction of Mountain Bridges in China, and more |
|
Mesmerizing Kinetic Sculptures Living independent from their creators? |
|
Real Life Spy Gadgets - For the secret agent in all of us Ignorance is bliss... no more |
|
Cable Blues: Tangled & Crazy Wiring Second Law of Thermodynamics Wins |
|
Underground Cities and Bunkers: Living Down Below Deep calls to deep... |
|
Extraordinary Clocks and Watches "Time does not exist. Clocks exist." |
|
The Pasta Monster (and Other Strange Food Art) Don't stare at your food, or it will stare back |
|
How Morgan Cars Are Made: By Hand, Out of Wood Doing what they do best, refusing to change... |
|
Abandoned Boeing 747 Restaurant (& Other Plane Conversions) A plane with unique history, haunted by kitchen smells |
|
Surprised Astronauts (Funny Pics) "My God, it's full of stars!" |
|
One-Track Wonders: Early Monorails Past, Present and Retro-future |
|
Komodo Dragons: They Eat Meat Marauding Dragons on a Desolate Island |
|
Spring Cleaning of the Mind: Surreal Art Update Visual kick included |
|
People Are Strange (Crazy Faces, Part 5) Throw the switch, Igor!.. |
|
Wonder Weapons of World War Two Made in Germany, 1940-1945 |
|
Narrow Buildings in Japan and Around the World Skinny living can be... fascinating |
|
The Cutting Edge of Retro Tech They will be renaming HiFi to HyFy, starting April 1st |
|
Bladerunner Tokyo (in Large-Format Photography) The future began a long time ago in Tokyo... |
|
Nightmare Playgrounds, Part 3 More entertaining than creepy? I'd say both |
|
Victorian Flea Circuses: A Lost Art Form Death-defying acts of flea heroism! |
|
Strangest Music Scores, Part 2 It's a mad, mad, mad music! |
|
Monstrous Aviation, Part 2: Huge Helicopters! "Let's see how insanely huge we can make them!" |
MORE OF THE RECENT POSTS:
|
FULL ARCHIVES (with previews, fast loading): May 2009 -- April 2009 -- March 2009 -- February 2009 -- January 2009 -- December 2008 -- November 2008 -- October 2008 -- September 2008 August 2008 -- July 2008 -- June 2008 May 2008 -- April 2008 -- March 2008 February 2008 -- January 2008 -- Dec, 2007 November 2007 -- October 2007 -- Sept, 2007 August 2007 -- July 2007 -- June 2007 May 2007 -- April 2007 -- March 2007 February 2007 -- January 2007 -- Dec, 2006 November 2006 -- October 2006 -- Link Lattes |
|
CATEGORIES:
airplanes | animals | architecture | art | auto | boats | books | cool ads | funny pics | famous | futurism | food
gadgets | health | history | humour | japan | internet | link latte | military | music | nature | photo | russia | steampunk
sci-fi & fantasy | signs | space | sports | technology | trains | travel | vintage | weird

























































































































































5 Comments:
That nazi aerosled is not nazi but Finnish. Finnish army was well prepared for snow operations and the use of the swastika in its armed forces comes earlier than the nazis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika#Finland
Karamazov is absolutely right. The aerosled is Finnish. The German Wehrmacht never used the swastika on their vehicles. Trucks, tanks kubelwagens, etc., always used the standard German Cross.
Only in need, when there was aerial support, did they put a flag (with the swastika) over the tanks and trucks to signal them to Luftwaffe.
The Finnish used a blue swastika over a white background, as can be perceived from the black-and-white photograph.
in case you were wondering, the three b&w pictures with the different variants of the one snow mobile , written in russian and translated as follows : passenger variant, business
variant, and "sanitary" variant ( or sterile).
great stuff. i wish that last tank/ship had been made.
An interesting, but topical aside is the US prewar entry for the Antarctic. The Antarctic Snow Cruiser. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_snow_cruiser
Somewhere it now seems at the bottom deep sea buried.
Great post! Don't forget Bombardier's beautiful snow buses, some of which are still used for ice fishing in Canada. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w90/sugarzebra/BRPBusPOTN.jpg
Post a Comment
<< Home