Here is a MAZ Two-Stroke Diesel. For all of it’s size and mass, it still takes a few tugs before the giant root is pulled free. These Russian beasts initially featured a two-stroke diesel engine provided by none other than General Motors. Afterwards, they began to develop their own original designs and implemented them into later models beginning with the MAZ 500 series (Their original series started with the 200).
A few other things you might not know about this Belarus manufacturer that began production just after World War II. They produced transporter erector launchers, or TELs for short. In fact, they are considered to be the world’s largest producer of such devices. These trucks were used to launch ballistic missiles in a mobile environment.
As such, they were actually used by the United States military for launching our Scud B missiles during the Gulf War.However, once the Soviet Union was dissolved, their production run was understandably decreased. Having produced vehicles for public transportation use earlier, they began focusing on doing the same in an attempt to diversify the company. Checkout different types of military vehicles.
After all, Belarus is a large country and transportation needs were growing. To that end, they manufactured several different series of buses that are used to transport passengers throughout the metropolitan areas daily. The buses are gas powered and over the years several different companies have partnered together to modify the design and make them more efficient. The result is a beautiful fleet of city buses that rivals any public transit vehicle that you might find in a postmodern country.
Yet Belarus will always be remembered for their military use and have quite an impressive pedigree to boot. In fact, they have several special models that were designed specifically for military use from the 1960s all the way through 1985. They are as follows:
MAZ 535- used for rocket transport as well as tanks.
MAZ 543- used primarily to transport medium range and long-range missiles. This particular model was best known as the launch pad for our SCUD missiles used during the Gulf War mentioned previously. A few different modifications allowed them to launch other types of missiles, as well as intercontinental missiles. That was impressive technology for its time.
MAZ 7904- this was the largest wheeled military vehicle ever produced for the USSR. However, it never went into production. It was secreted away and rediscovered in 2007 closed up in a hanger in the Soviet Union.
MAZ 7907- this one remains a bit of a mystery. Originally designed to transport intercontinental ballistic missiles, there were only two prototypes ever made. There is evidence that at least one of them was used after the Soviet Union collapsed. However, it was only used to transport ships and various bridge parts. The fate of the other one is unclear, and may be discovered at a future date rusting away in an unknown location.
All of that to say, these babies make for an expensive stump puller. However, you have to figure if you’re on a military base and have nothing better to do with your time then the MAZ makes for some great fun. It’s a shame you don’t have one of these around your house. The next time the neighbors got a bit rowdy you could certainly make a statement!
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