A new model ZIL-135 is in the works. It is a kit of the company Trumpeter Luna-M. The kit is very good on the fit of the parts. An early version will be built. Now the first photos of the model.

Looks like you can't turn the wheels?

First and last pair of wheels were steerable(and I see steering rods installed).
Whether these pairs can turn in the kit-I will know soon.
Will build a Luna M/Frog-7 for a friend of mine,

Hello

As you've already realized, the wheels are not built to be mobile, they are in the straight ahead position. The steerability in the model is very difficult to realize and the construction cost is no use. Every model maker knows that the first and last axle was steerable on this vehicle. The model is a complicated kit and you should not complicate it as it already is. Here is a picture of the original vehicle, what the model will look like.

Hi Joachim,

Good progress so far on your Luna-M. I‘m currently building the same Trumpeter ZiL-135 chassis for a BM-27 Uragan (I have the Luna-M in the stash, too) as part of the Launchers campaign and it‘s been going together well - except for the steering rods and ties, whose fit wasn’t the greatest. I agree with you that it‘d be difficult to make this chassis steerable, and I also built mine with the front and rear wheels pointed straight ahead.

Anyway, I‘m looking forward to your continuing build.

Jerry

I also took a look this morning to the 9K52 kit(Luna-M).
Will build it (with 2 friends) for another friend.
We discussed whether is it possible to make the rocket arm lifting, and combat possition supports deployable with the ultimate goal of engine bay being not glued, but removable to show off the 2 8-cylinder engines.
The guy, who will get the built kit, served on one of these Launchers and we want him to receive a nice present for his desk.

Hello
Thank you all modellers for your answers. I also think that the model does not have to be steerable. The effort to build it is far too big, the structure over the engines can be built removable, that should not be a problem. At the moment I can not say, if the start ramp can be shown moving, because I am not yet in this phase of construction. The construction must be done in certain stages, a continuous construction is not possible in my opinion. Here are some pictures of the model, have it put together temporarily for you.

The construction of the model continued, the chassis was built further. The coloring was done and the detailing as well. The structure of the start device can begin. Here are the latest photos of the model.

Now photos from the bottom of the model.

No criticism is meant here, just making a comment - I have always found this automotive structure to be what appears to me to be a very strange machine. A bit of a departure from other Russian 8x8 vehicle designs.

Over rough terrain it seems either the first or the last axle would spend a lot of time totally off the ground.

Very good workmanship Joch!

Just one fool's opinion.

Joachim, that‘s a very clean, good-looking build and finish! Nice.

I agree with Michael, this seems like an anomaly in the very practically-oriented world of Soviet vehicle design. What puzzles me is the decision to have each engine power the axles on one side of the vehicle. If one engine conks out, would that mean the ZiL could drive around in circles Homer Simpson-style?

https://youtu.be/GWBLYRzuDsI

Or like Curly, for that matter:

https://youtu.be/T2iZPRif2i4

Jerry

Yes, the thoughts are completely right. There were big problems on public roads with this vehicle. The problem was not the failure of an engine, but the switching of the two gears. It often happened that only one transmission was switched and the vehicle turned when releasing the clutch. Mostly defective or loose transmission parts were the cause. Russian technology is a story in itself. It must have proven to be, there were a lot of vehicles. Will introduce here other vehicles ZIL-135 as a model.

Difficult to comprehend why they would do that.

The US Stuarts had twin Cadillac V8 engines but they turned on a common transmission and if one conked out the tank was not stranded.

Often if just moving the vehicle around the motor pool it was common to only start one engine as the move would not require much power.

The technology was different. The Russians put at this time again and again on gasoline engines. They had big advantages in winter. There was no freezing of fuel. It was with the armored personnel carriers up to the BTR-70 exactly the same. Only from BTR-80 diesel engines were installed. Here are some pictures of the model, it went on a bit further.

Joachim, that looks fantastic - nice work!

Jerry

My comments referred to the unusual suspension arrangement with the center four tires closely grouped and with the exceedingly strange power arrangement of one engine driving only the wheels on one side of the vehicle, therefore requiring both engines to be running properly to drive the vehicle forward.

The aspect of gasoline versus diesel fuel never entered into my comments. Clearly gasoline is the better cold weather fuel.

Yes, everything right write, the two motors must run correctly. But how is it when driving through curves? Since the correct running of the two engines also uses nothing. There is no differential between left and right. The wear on the drive parts will have been very large. But it worked, that was the main thing.

Excellent point Joch! No need for differentials but still there must have been uneven strain on the two drivelines when moving through curves.

A challenging question!

Hello model maker

First of all thank you for your answers. To the interesting question with the cornering of the ZIL-135, I can only imagine that a disc clutch in the two intermediate gears for the left and right side has been installed. It should balance the speed of the main gear when driving through bends. the principle of balancing over disc clutches was known in the Russian automotive industry. This saved a lot of space and material on gears. So much for that.
The construction with the rocket for the Luna-M did not go on, the paint has to be injected and the detailing has to be done. It was started with a new model ZIL-135, it is a training vehicle for the drivers of the launch pads. Here is a picture of the original and photos of the model in its current state.

Best regards truck MAN

Joachim, good to see that you‘ve already started on the companion build, and a very interesting one at that - I wasn‘t aware of a cargo/training version of the ZiL-135, so I‘m looking forward to your conversion.

Jerry

The chassis has received color and at the Luna the assembly of the rocket has begun. Here are the latest photos of the two models and another photo of the original of the training vehicle.

Here is the still-announced photo of the original

The construction on the model continued, the platform was built and treated with paint. The details on the model and equipment follow. Here are the latest photos of the model.

Here are new photos of the model, the construction is coming to an end. There are still some details to build.

Now you are pushing MY buttons! I am much more likely to get into weird and unusual cargo trucks than rocket launchers.

Great work! Way Cool!

(Though I do like that reload crane on the launcher! - Hey, build a structural arch up and over the transmissions then mount the crane between them to service loading and unloading of the cargo box! Cut the sheet metal engine covers as necessary to accommodate the crane tower?????)

Just thinking out loud. I bet there is at least a design drawing somewhere at the ZIL factory proposing that!