GAZ-47 is a machine that does not need roads

In 1954 the first caterpillar conveyor-snow aerobot came off the conveyor of GAZ. The development of the project began in 1952, when the country felt an urgent need for such machines. The development of new territories, geological reconnaissance, the laying of oil and gas pipelines, the conduct of power lines and telephone communications to remote settlements was impossible without cross-country vehicles, as the patency of wheeled vehicles in some areas was simply not enough.

The experience in the production of T-60 and T-70 tanks, accumulated during the war years, helped to improve the output of a new type of transport for the Gorkyites. 12 thousand combat units of caterpillars, which descended from the factory conveyor, made their theoretical contribution to the transporter being developed.

The passability of the snow thrower

The time spent on developing the machine was not wasted. The caterpillar conveyor, which received the GAZ-47 index (GT-C), exceeded all known at that time types of equipment, not only wheeled, but also caterpillar. The same T-60 tank got stuck in the dirt, which the new all-terrain vehicle overcame literally playfully.

The fact is that the conveyor designers increased the width of the tracks, thereby reducing the value of the specific pressure on the surface of the ground. Such an engineering move made it possible for the GAZ-47 to move not only through mud, but also deep snow. The swamps were also not a serious obstacle to the machine, if the speed of the road along the ground was about 20 km / h, then only in the marshes and deep snow it was reduced by half and varied within 8-10 km / h. This was the only problem in overcoming such obstacles. Also, the machine was able to overcome a 60-centimeter vertical wall and a pit width of 1.3 m.

Floating machine

In addition to the unique patency, GT-C was taught to swim. Such a feature could not boast at that time no other domestic caterpillar machines. To overcome the water obstacle with a depth of up to 1.2 meters and a length of up to one and a half kilometers the car did not require any additional training. The limiting speed of movement along the water was small, only 3.5-4 km / h, and was regulated within these limits only by the rotation of the caterpillars.

However, navigation required certain conditions:

1. Calm water. A strong lateral current could overturn the car, the reason for this was the underwater side of the conveyor, the width of which reduced its stability.
2. A gentle beach when GAZ-47 leaves the water.

Description GAZ-47

The GT-C body was an integral metal structure divided into:

• Engine compartment;
• Two-door cockpit designed for two crew members;
• Body, which can accommodate 10 people landing.

From the weather the body was closed with a folding tent. Above it was a removable open platform for cargo placement. In addition, the GAZ-47 could tow a trailer with a mass of up to 2 tons.

The power unit was presented by the automobile 4-stroke, gasoline engine (ZMZ-47), with 6 cylinders.

Gearbox - mechanical, with four steps for driving forward and one back.

Torsion undercarriage consisted of: 5 single-type rollers (with rubberized bearing part), driving wheels and tracks on the right and left side of the car. The rear (fifth) rollers were guides.

Snowmobile technical characteristics

The main technical characteristics of GT-C GAZ-47:

• The weight of the filled, but empty machine is 3.65 tons.
• Carrying capacity without crew - 1 ton.
• The overall dimensions of the conveyor are 4.9x2.435x1.96 m (length, width and height according to the level of the cabin).
• Clearance - 0,4 m.
• Engine power is - 74 hp.
• Limit speed: 35 km / h along the road, 20 km / h on the average road surface, 10 km / h on the snowy virgin soil and marshy area.
• One-time fueling - 400 liters.

GAZ produced the transporter until 1964. For 10 years, the 47th proved to be a transport with a high level of efficiency and reliability.

Modifications of the first caterpillar conveyor

To replace the GAZ-47 in 1968 with the assembly line of the plant its modification - GAZ-71 - came down. The new machine improved ground pressure from 0.19 to 0.17 kg / cm2. Also, the car received a new engine ZMZ-71 with a capacity of 115 liters. With., Due to which the speed limit indicator has increased to 50 km / h. At 25 cm the height of the car was lowered by the cabin. The remaining changes were insignificant or remained at the same level. Like its predecessor, the GAZ-71 was manufactured taking into account the dry storage and operation in severe climatic conditions with a temperature range from -40 to +50 degrees.

These changes and qualities were enough to ensure that the machine was produced unchanged until 1985.

Do not deprive the attention of GAZ-47 and KB ZIL. The modification created by them received the GAZ-47 AMA index. The changes made by the Zilylovs touched only the running gear, but they turned out to be cardinal. Caterpillars were replaced by a roller-caterpillar propeller, which was a chain with rotating rollers fixed on them. Rollers rolled on special supports, which were welded to the body of the body of the conveyor.

But the changes made did not justify themselves. The only plus that they added to the car is an increase in speed on solid ground due to increased grip. But in the level of patency the changes did not happen. In addition, when driving on a rolling road under the GT-C rollers, its destruction occurred. All this became the reasons for the closure of the project. However, the idea with rollers, which eventually engineers made pneumatic, was used on other experimental models of all-terrain vehicles.