ZIL 135P

5-tonnes amphibious ZIL-135P (8×8) was one of the largest and fastest amphibious in the world. Development started on January 1961. ZIL-135P was designed as a self-propelled wheeled ferry, a part of a heavy mobile floating bridge PMP-A.

But during the development process tasks had been changed: ZIL-135P become a transport amphibious for coastal zones.

The first prototype of ZIL-135P was finished on February 6th. It got a code name “Dolphin”. The amphibious featured a front control cab, two power units located in the rear end, and a cargo or passenger compartment in the center.

It was based on a chassis of ZIL-135K with an extended up to 2500 mm gauge, two engines ZIL-375YA, two automatic transmissions, stiffer suspension and tires air pressure control system. The hull with three insulated compartments was made of fiberglass. The cab had a place for 4, while the passenger compartment could accommodate up to 22 people or cargo weighing up to 5 tonnes.

Dimensions – 13800x3150x3100 mm, curb weight – 14 tonnes, GVW – 20 tonnes. Maximum speed on a highway – 65 kph, afloat – 16.4 kph.

In the summer of 1970, ZIL 135P was transformed into a small boat (lighter) to work on the Northern Sea Route to shuttle supplies from a ship to shore and back. To do this the already abandoned vehicle had been revived and was equipped with a crane. After this short period it was returned to the factory and dismantled.