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{{Infobox automobile | name = ZIS-6 | image = Техника на Дворцовой площади в Санкт-Петербурге 2H1A4277WI.jpg | manufacturer = [[ZiL|ZIS]] | aka = | production = 1933–1941 | assembly = Russia: [[Moscow]] | predecessor = | successor = [[ZIS-151]] | class = [[Truck]] | body_style = | layout =front engine, 6×4 | platform = | engine = 5.55 L ''ZIS-5'', I6, {{convert|73|hp|kW|order=flip|abbr=on}} | transmission = 4-speed manual with 2 range transfer case | wheelbase = {{convert|3360|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}+{{convert|1080|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|4230|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} | length = | width = | height = {{convert|2160|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | related = | designer = }}

The '''ZIS-6''' ({{langx|ru|ЗИС-6}})<ref>{{cite web |title=ZiS-6 light 6x6 3.5 tons truck (1936) |url=https://truck-encyclopedia.com/ww2/ussr/zis-6-truck.php |website=truck-encyclopedia.com |access-date=10 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref> is a Soviet general-purpose 6×4 army cargo truck, a three-axle version of the [[ZIS-5 (truck)|ZIS-5]] two-axle truck. Prototypes were made in 1932 and serial production started in 1933. In October 1941 the Moscow [[ZiL|Zavod imeni Stalina]] factory was evacuated, but a few more ZIS-6 trucks were assembled from parts in January 1942. A total of 21,239 units were produced. The ZIS-6 had a payload capacity of 4 tons.<ref>http://www.lomakovka.ru/ZiS-6.html</ref><ref>http://denisovets.ru/zil/zilpages/zis6.html</ref>

A reliable truck, it served as a base for the creation of a number of specialized military modifications -- searchlight truck, radio and radio repair station, mobile field workshop, supply delivering vehicle, troops moving vehicle, and as an artillery towing vehicle -- but is best known for its role as the first multiple rocket launcher ([[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]]) in July 1941. It was built by the "Compressor" Plant's Design Office during World War II (1941–45). Very few ZIS-6 trucks survive till today.

Several dozen (exact number unknown) were converted to carry the [[37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)]].<ref>https://www.kskdivniy.ru/museum/eksponaty/zis-6-s-37-mm-zenitnym-orudiem-61-k/</ref>

During the early World War II, the ZIS-6 was used as the chassis of the original BM-13 ''[[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]]'' multiple rocket launcher by the [[Red Army]],<ref>http://www.lomakovka.ru/ZiS-6.html</ref> nicknamed "Stalin's Organ" by German soldiers. The truck chassis was equipped with [[Katyusha rocket launcher#Variants|several different versions]] of the launcher. Later though, the American-produced Studebaker took over as the predominant platform for Katyusha launchers. The ZIS-6 also served as the basis for the VVS-RKKA aircraft fueller BZ-ZIS-6. After the war, the ZIS-6 was replaced with the all-wheel drive [[ZIS-151]].

== Specification == *6×4, 3-axle 2,5-ton (4-ton - highway) *ZIS-5 based truck *Bore/Stroke: 101.6/114.3&nbsp;mm *Tyres: {{convert|34|x|7|in|mm|order=flip|abbr=on}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights=150> Katyusha Rocket Launcher - Artillery Museum - St. Petersburg - Russia.jpg|ZIS-6 platformed with BM-13 [[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]] battery Kolyma road01.jpg|[[R504 Kolyma Highway|Kolyma road]] construction (1938) Одесса Чкалова троллейбус.JPG|Civil used autocrane based on a ZIS-6 chassis in [[Odessa]] (1942) </gallery>

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|ZIS-6}} * ''[https://truck-encyclopedia.com/ww2/ussr/zis-6-truck.php ZIS-6: The 6x4 ZIS-5 utility Soviet Army truck.]'' * ''[http://armchairgeneral.com/rkkaww2/weapons/Trucks_buses.htm#ZIS ZIS(AMO) Plant]''

[[Category:Military trucks of the Soviet Union]] [[Category:ZiL vehicles]] [[Category:World War II vehicles of the Soviet Union]] [[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1930s]]