Hmmm. Now this is rather interesting don't you think? (And no I haven't forgotten I've got to do the TGX V8..it's coming). But before I do I thought you'd like this magnficent beast from Belarusia which comes to me via Gerald Woodgate at tnn who assures me that HE got it via a mate called Vladimir. Indeed he tells me: 'Brian, another one for BLB from my Belarusian Correspondent...Not a bad coincidence (another one!) given your recent posting on the Scammell I thought.' Indeed not, and BLB's thanks to Vlad for the nice shot.
You know I can't quite work out whether the bonnet is supposed to stick out at the front like that or not. ...but if any BLB readers can tell me anything else about this monster I'm all ears.
Regards,
Gerald.
You can find more at next site:
http://www.mzkt.by/
Hello Brian
I have been told you are interested in the truck posted on the big lorry blog website.
I personally have not seen this model with my own eyes, but it’s a MZKT-74135.
After the war the company has set up a department to deal with multi-axle heavy duty vehicles, this mainly was to cater for military division; rocket launchers, tank transporters. Though be fair they produced some wonderful vehicles, some 10x10 and even 16x16 units. The Factory was actually situated not too far from where I lived when I was a little kid, so I remember seeing a few of these behemoths.
As you rightly stated I am not sure the role of the bonnet other than storage, as most of these vehicles had engine located in the centre of the chassis, certainly some of the 5 axle models did anyway.
I thought I would give you some specs for this beast:
* 2 man sleeper cab/ 9 man crew cab
* Gross vehicle weight: 205,400 kg
* Load on the king pin: 26,000
* Axle arrangement: 8x8
* Engine: Daimler Chrysler OM 444LA (796 bhp)
* Gearbox: Allison M6610AR
* Maximum speed: 82 km/h
* Minimum turning circle: 15m
If you want you can read the full spec on http://www.assada.com.ly/minsh_wheel_4.php
I think they are mainly used in oil rigs in Siberia now, moving machinery and so on, since the Belarusian army does not stockpile so much weapons.
Best Regards
Edward Yanchevski
I sent this photo and info to TNN.
I live in Minsk.
If you I'll send you other megatrucks from BELARUS.
I wrote a lot about this MZKT but TNN used a little.
By the way I'll do model of this autotrain in 1/50.