ZIL » 135K

During the development of ZIL-135E factory worked on a new long-wheelbase chassis ZIL-135K with load capacity of 10.5 tonnes, which also had no suspension, and should be used as a loader of powerful high-precision missiles C5. The first prototype was made on May 18th, 1960. The main feature ZIL-135K was an extremely long wheelbase of 7.6 m and a high mounted angular cab. The main design was similar to ZIL 135E. It was equipped with the same doubled 180-horsepower engines ZIL-375YA, automatic 3-speed transmission and on-board side transmissions. ZIL 135K had a complicated levers system to control front and rear wheels. The chassis was equipped with tires air pressure control system, diskless wheels, 16.00 - 20 tires, and 560 liters fuel tank.

The first prototype was equipped with a plastic cabin similar to Zil-135E, which was mounted above the engine compartment. Since April 1961, ZIL 135K got a new simplified 3-place fiberglass cabin with a flat front panel and two pairs of headlights, folding safety shield on the roof, triangular corner windows and reverse slope windshields. Overal dimensions 11353x2800x3170 mm. Curb weight - 10.5 tonnes, GVW - 21 tonnes. Maximum speed on a highway - 55 kph, fuel consumption - 100 liters per 100 km, range - 500 km.

Government tests of ZIL 135K held in in early summer 1960. as a result of which revealed serious design bugs. The same time OKB-476 of the factory "Dzerzhinets" developed a new missle launch system 2P30 of a missile complex 2K17. In October - December 1961, ZIL made five chassis of the model 135K for government tests. In early 1962, assembling of ZIL 135K was transferred to Bryansk automobile plant. 55 copies of ZIL 135K were made till 1964.