Hi all

I would like to tap into the ressources here at the Russo-Soviet forum. I am now planning and researching my build for the upcoming "Selfpropelled artillery" campaign here at Armorama. I have chosen the Italeri/Zvezda kit of the Zil 157 truck with the BM-13 katusha.

I know the Zil 157 is a post war truck produced from 1947 to 1965, so a WWII vehicle is out of the question. (Despite Revell's reboxing of this kit states marking options from 1942 and forward )

I am now researching the post war use of this truck with BM-13. This includes the use of the truck in Afghanistan and in all those countries that received these trucks as armshelp from the Soviet union after WWII.

I know Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, and Poland got this version. However, I have only been able to find very few "in action" pictures of the truck.
Camouflage and markings are therefore difficult to determine. I have shown what "in action" photos I have below.
I have plenty of pictures of preserved vehicles from various museums, so this I do not need help with.

Can anybody help with "in action / operational service" photos of the Zil 157 with BM-13 katusha?
Can anybody sheed any light on markings and camouflage of this truck in operational service?

Any help is highly appreciated

Zil 157 BM-13 captured in Afghanistan by the mujahedien


Libyan Zil 157 BM-13s


Soviet Zil 157 BM-13s

Hi Jesper,

As far as I know, if the truck of this kit is the same as the Zvezda's Zis 151 kit, I believe you can only build one of the earlier trucks as evident by the wooden step near the truck cab. In later models this was converted into metal as far as I know. So that truck would be built before the 60s, possibly 1947 to mid 50s.

Yes, the Italeri / Revell / Zvezda kit are all the same molds and it is an early Zil 151. The Zil 157 was a little different design in the cabin, fenders, and running boards. The Zil 151 was produced in the early 50's through '57, when the Zil 157 was introduced. Zil 151s were used in the Middle East up through the '80s though.

OK, thanks guys. That might also explain why the head light guards are different in the Italeri kit compared to most pictures on the web.

Maybe a middle eastern version could be good, although I have few hints on markings and camouflage. But if there is no pictures, nobody can prove me wrong

You should't have any "in action" pictures by any chance?

Wish I did Jesper, I only have walkaround Zis 151 pictures if they will do you any good. Since I had the kit of the truck instead of the Katyusha, I gathered reference on the truck, then I changed my mind and sold the kit so my references aren't very through.

Thanks, Emre, but I have lots of walk around pictures from various museums. It is more the markings and camouflage I am after.

Does anybody know how long it was used by the Soviet forces East German forces? I am considering showing it in a diorama next to a SA-6. But I am not sure if that would be correct? Would they be in service at the same time?

I don't think they would have been seen together. By the late '50s, the larger-wheeled ZIL 157 replaced the Zil 151 as the chassis for the Katyusha. Also, by the late '60s, the BM-21 Grad MRL (Multiple Rocket Launcher) replaced the Katyusha in front line units. Most Katyushas were sold/given to client states at that time, such as those in the Middle East. The BM-21 uses an Ural 4320 truck chasis. The BM-21 was/is contemporary w/the SA-6.

OK, thanks.

I will probably go for a Syrian BM-13 in three colour camouflage. I am already planning for a diorama as I have a previous model of an Syrian PT-76. These would certainly go together well for a 1973 diorama.