Military Vehicles

The BM-13 or “Katyusha”, consisted of a battery of 16 M-13 fin-stabilized rockets which could be launched over a 8500m (27,900ft) maximum range.

Though individually inaccurate, as an area saturation weapon the rockets created a terrifying HE salvo.

The missiles was launched from a simple iron rail system mounted on the back of a truck and manually targeted.  The first truck used in this role was the Russian Zis-5(pictured here), of which over 83,000 units were produced between 1942 and 1945.

As the war went on, Katyushas were mounted on any available truck, including the Russian Zis-6 STZ-5 artillery tractor, and US Lend Lease Fords, Studebakers and Chevrolets.

Country of Origin    :Soviet Union
Crew                        :2
Weight                     :8900kg (19,600lb)
Dimensions             :Length: 6.55m (21.49ft); width: 2.24m (7.35ft); height: 2.76m (9.06ft)
Range                      :370km (230miles)
Armour :Not applicable
Armament               :16 x 132mm (5.2in) M-13 rockets
Powerplant              :1 x Hercules JXD 6-cylinder petrol, developing 87hp (65kW)
Performance            :Maximum road speed: 72km/h (45mph);