# ZIS-6

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Motor vehicle

ZIS-6 Overview Manufacturer ZIS Production 1933–1941 Assembly Russia: Moscow Body and chassis Class Truck Layout front engine, 6×4 Powertrain Engine 5.55 L ZIS-5, I6, 54 kW (73 hp) Transmission 4-speed manual with 2 range transfer case Dimensions Wheelbase 3,360 mm (132.3 in)+1,080 mm (42.5 in) Height 2,160 mm (85.0 in) Curb weight 4,230 kg (9,326 lb) Chronology Successor ZIS-151

The **ZIS-6** ([Russian](/source/Russian_language): ЗИС-6)[1] is a Soviet general-purpose 6×4 army cargo truck, a three-axle version of the [ZIS-5](/source/ZIS-5_(truck)) two-axle truck. Prototypes were made in 1932 and serial production started in 1933. In October 1941 the Moscow [Zavod imeni Stalina](/source/ZiL) 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.[2][3]

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](/source/Katyusha_rocket_launcher)) 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)](/source/37_mm_automatic_air_defense_gun_M1939_(61-K)).[4]

During the early World War II, the ZIS-6 was used as the chassis of the original BM-13 *[Katyusha](/source/Katyusha_rocket_launcher)* multiple rocket launcher by the [Red Army](/source/Red_Army),[5] nicknamed "Stalin's Organ" by German soldiers. The truck chassis was equipped with [several different versions](/source/Katyusha_rocket_launcher#Variants) 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](/source/ZIS-151).

## Specification

- 6×4, 3-axle 2,5-ton (4-ton - highway)

- ZIS-5 based truck

- Bore/Stroke: 101.6/114.3 mm

- Tyres: 860 mm × 180 mm (34 in × 7 in)

		- ZIS-6 platformed with BM-13 [Katyusha](/source/Katyusha_rocket_launcher) battery

		- [Kolyma road](/source/R504_Kolyma_Highway) construction (1938)

		- Civil used autocrane based on a ZIS-6 chassis in [Odessa](/source/Odessa) (1942)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["ZiS-6 light 6x6 3.5 tons truck (1936)"](https://truck-encyclopedia.com/ww2/ussr/zis-6-truck.php). *truck-encyclopedia.com*. Retrieved 10 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [http://www.lomakovka.ru/ZiS-6.html](http://www.lomakovka.ru/ZiS-6.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [http://denisovets.ru/zil/zilpages/zis6.html](http://denisovets.ru/zil/zilpages/zis6.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [https://www.kskdivniy.ru/museum/eksponaty/zis-6-s-37-mm-zenitnym-orudiem-61-k/](https://www.kskdivniy.ru/museum/eksponaty/zis-6-s-37-mm-zenitnym-orudiem-61-k/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [http://www.lomakovka.ru/ZiS-6.html](http://www.lomakovka.ru/ZiS-6.html)

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [ZIS-6](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:ZIS-6).

- *[ZIS-6: The 6x4 ZIS-5 utility Soviet Army truck.](https://truck-encyclopedia.com/ww2/ussr/zis-6-truck.php)*

- *[ZIS(AMO) Plant](http://armchairgeneral.com/rkkaww2/weapons/Trucks_buses.htm#ZIS)*

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [ZIS-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZIS-6) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZIS-6?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.