The best rescue all-terrain vehicle of the USSR a.k.a. the “Blue bird”
The best rescue all-terrain vehicle in USSR
Italian engineers managed to copy the construction of this unique amphibian only by year 2007. While in the USSR this rescue complex was at service of cosmonautics and other extreme industries since 1975. There was only a small number of it produced though and only few of them are still on the go. The amphibian was named “Blue bird”. This article is about the flight of this mighty bird.
Amphibian “Blue bird” — one of the best rescue and evacuation complexes. Its modifications allowedevacuating both, people and machinery. Initially this amphibious vehicle was constructed for rescuing spaceships and their crews, who landed in wild impassable debris of Russia. So, it’s safe to say, it was meant to be used in the most extreme of conditions.
How it started
It all started with an accident, a dangerous one: imagine a planned-through mission go wrong in almost any way possible. Spacecraft «Voskhod-2» with cosmonauts P. Belyayev and A. Leonov on board was returning back to Earth, when its automatic systems broke down. Belyayev had to direct the spacecraft manually because the situation required immediate actions. Of course, all the scheduled courses and planned landing spots were rejected and forgotten. Belyayev managed this situation brilliantly. Yet, when cosmonauts left the spacecraft, they saw not what they expected to see. Instead of Kazakhstan steppe they found themselves in the midst of the taiga. In March, when that space mission took place, a chest-deep snow was still covering the ground, as well as any traces of human inhabitance. There was nothing to help the cosmonauts to get out of there. It took the crew 2 days to get to a clearing, where they were found and picked up by a helicopter.
The solution
After this accident, Korolev addressed V. Grachev, the director of AMO ZiL, asking him to help them construct a vehicle that would be able to wade through anything if similar mishaps take place during next space missions. Through literally anything: through the taiga, through a swamp, through a chest-deep snow or any other untrodden lands. Korolev was sure that the only one, who could create such a machine, was Grachev and his engineers. Since late 50s they had been working on worldwide delivery of ballistic rockets and by that time, they had already had a unique experience in construction of all-terrain vehicles.
“Blue bird” took the first attempt to fly in June 1975. Two modifications of the project were drafted: cargo version ZiL-4906 and passenger version ZiL-49061.
Cargo version ZiL-4906 had a hydraulic crane and was used for transportation of subsidiary screw-propelled vehicles. The second modification was meant to be used for passenger transportation. Its cabin was powered with medical equipment, provision modules, a modernized air conditioning unit and was able to provide a 3-day long autonomous survival for people.
Both these modifications and the screw-propelled vehicle formed a search and evacuation complex PEK-490. The complex was given an unofficial name “Blue bird”.
"The mighty “Blue bird“
ZiL-4906/49061 was equipped with a 150hp time-tested engine ZiL-130 and a 10-speed manual transmission (including rear speeds). All 3 axis were given an independent torsion suspension and disk brake mechanisms. “Blue bird’s” maneuverability is also worth mentioning. “Blue bird” had a hydrostatic steering unit, which provided lag in turning of the rear wheels and an automatic correction of this lag. To move on water instead of a water-jet “Blue bird” used a pair of screw propellers. The speed of the vehicle afloat reached 8km/h, while on the ground – about 75km/h. Maximum fuel consumption was 75L/100km. The fuel was stored in 2 tanks, 260L each. Constructors fitted “Blue bird” into the smallest frame possible so it would be easily transported by military cargo planes and helicopters.
So, it’s clear to see, that engineers did their best to make “Blue bird” able to easily overcome any obstacles on its way. This project turned out to be an outstanding and unique in many ways. It is simple to service and repair it. Some of the “Blue birds” are still flying a.k.a. they still do their job of providing help saving people’s lives.