AGD Tracked Vehicles, Part VI

By Alexey Dyakov and Fedor Eliseev

In addition to the standard production trucks shown in Part V, AGD were interested in modeling different experimental and special vehicles. So they made the decision to create models of special tracked vehicles. Back in the 1980-90s, most of the artisan model manufacturers in Russia concentrated on common passenger cars and trucks and had no real interest in expanding their ranges to include unusual vehicles.

By the mid 1990s, AGD had made a huge range of models. Among them were some trucks, so it was possible to use their existing truck cabs with minimal changes to make their tracked vehicles. The Kaliningrad artisans at AGD began to produce these types of models in the mid 1990s. All of them were 1:43 scale white metal, as was usual for this workshop. The AGD artisans adapted plastic 1:35 tracks for use in their models. They еmployed resin for some parts of the suspension and chassis. The metal track rollers were turned in their own machine shop.

AGD made only a few units of each kind of tracked model. The first of this type was a heavy artillery tractor AT-T. This vehicle used the components of a T-54 tank chassis, and its main purpose was to tow artillery and rocket systems up to 25 tons. The truck platform could also carry 5 tons of cargo or 18 soldiers. The AT-T was equipped with a modified 415 hp tank diesel engine which provided excellent power for this heavy machine.

This artillery tractor used the cabin from ZIS-150 / ZIL-164 trucks which was expanded in width and a little decreased in height. The cabin was rather comfortable with a heater! There was also a winch under the truck platform.

The series production of the AT-T was started up at the Kharkiv Machine Engineering Plant. The first prototypes were made at the end of 1947. After testing, production started in 1950. The last AT-T were built in 1979. These artillery tractors took part in parades in Moscow very often, so many people had an opportunity to see them while watching TV.

Different builders created many special types of vehicles for the army using the AT-T as a base. Not only the army used this artillery tractor: It was еssential in northern parts of the country where climate conditions are extreme. In 1957 the engineers also created a special version, AT-TA, for Antarctica. It used a more powerful 520 hp diesel engine, wider tracks, and a insulated cabin.

AGD modeled AT-T versions equipped with and without a tent. They also made a model of the Antarctic AT-TA.

After making the AT-TA, the company decided to expand the Antarctic theme, so they created a model of a special Antarctic all-terrain vehicle “Kharkovchanka-2”. The AT-TA artillery tractor showed good results in Antarctica, but scientists needed a special vehicle. That’s why the engineers at the Kharkiv Machine Engineering Plant received the order from the government to create it.

In 1958 the first special Antarctic all- terrain vehicle named “Kharkovchanka” was built. It was based on the AT-T long wheelbase chassis. The living quarters module was designed by specialists from an aircraft factory. It was a single room with cabin, engine situated inside and residential section, where the scientists were provided with all they needed. A single room layout allowed the engine to be repaired inside the enclosure but the scientists were not isolated from the exhaust gasses.

So the Kharkiv plant began to create a new version of the special vehicle which was ready by 1974, the Kharkovchanka-2, which is the model that AGD made, got a separate driver’s cabin, the scientists’ module was modified with upgraded thermal insulation to keep a normal temperature inside for a longer time. These special all-terrain vehicles were very reliable in heavy Antarctic conditions. Some of these vehicles were used in the Russian Antarctic Station.

The next model by AGD became the artillery tractor “Komintern”.
This machine was named in honor of an international communist organization and was introduced in 1934. Its main purpose was to tow artillery systems and to transport the crew. Komintern was producing in Kharkiv from 1935 till 1940. About 1800 units were made.
This artillery tractor was equipped with a ZIS-5 truck cabin and 130 hp gasoline engine.

Many of these machines took part in the 1936-1939 Civil War in Spain, in China against the Japanese Army, and in WW2 against the Germans.
After the war some worked in the civil service and then were destroyed. Thus, none had been kept in preservation. But in 2020 the workshop of Evgeniy Shamanskiy restored a 1939 model of the Komintern. Now it’s possible to see it in the the Motors of War Museum in Moscow.

The next model which AGD produced was the post war artillery tractor AT-L. This machine was created based on experiences from WW2. Its main purpose was to tow light guns and different cargo in rough conditions. The series production was complted by the Kharkiv Tractor Plant in 1952 after four years of tests. The AT-L was equipped with 4.65 liter, 110 hp diesel engine by the Yaroslavle plant.

The cabin was very similar to the heavy artillery tractor AT-T and used ZIS truck parts but was smaller in size. This light artillery tractor could tow a 6 ton trailer and carry 2 tons of cargo on its truck platform. The AT-L also had a winch under the truck platform. To make the artillery tractor lighter, the builders did not use a standard frame but created a welded integral body. During use, it became clear that the chassis had to be modified to make it more reliable.

So in 1957 the next version named AT-L(A) was introduced. It had a modified chassis and upgraded 135 hp engine. The design of the bonnet’s side changed as well. During the production time the light artillery tractor was being upgraded. The last models were built in 1967.

The different AT-L versions were very reliable machines. They were used not only in the Army but also for many different purposes. All these vehicles worked in Siberia and the Far North regions.

AGD made 2 basic versions from 1952 and 1957.

The AGD company also created fire fighting foam tower trucks based on the 1952 and 1957 chasses. The pumping mechanism was made of metal and was movable as in a real machine. AGD modeled foam lifting mechanisms in 2 different designs.

After making different AT-L models, the AGD Kaliningrad workshop produced a series of Ya-11 and Ya-12 artillery tractors from WW2.
The first days of Germany’s invasion showed that the Red Army had a need for light artillery tractors. So the specialists of an auto plant in Yaroslavle created the Ya-11 which was based on the T-70 tank chassis. The machine was equipped with 2 engines from the GAZ-MM.

The Ya-11 showed good test results, and in 1943 the first 5 production models were built. But the German aviation destroyed the engine production line in Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod). It became impossible to deliver engines to Yaroslavle. That’s why the builders turned to American 110 hp diesel engines from the GMC 4-71. The modified light artillery tractor also was equipped with an American clutch and gearbox.

In the second half of 1943, the upgraded version Ya-12 replaced the Ya-11. The Ya-12 was a very reliable machine and was very appreciated by the Red Army. From 1943 till 1946 about 2300 units were produced.
The engineers also created modifications: the Ya-13 and Ya-13F. Their main purpose was to try to use other engines because GMC diesels were hard to come by. The Ya-13 was equipped with a ZIS-5 engine and gearbox. In 1943 71 units were built. The 73 hp engine wasn’t enough for the light artillery tractor. Thus, the Ya-13F, of which 5 units were produced in 1944- 45, got modified 90 hp ZIS engine. Testing showed its low reliability.

The AGD workshop made basic variants of Ya-11 and Ya-12. Their artisans modeled all small design differences between the 2 versions.

The Kaliningrad workshop also made a model of a unique fire truck train based on the Ya-13F. This special machine was built in 1945 by firemen from Yaroslavle as a gift in honor of the WW2 Victory. The special fire truck train got its own name “Yaroslavets”. The train consisted of the artillery tractor which was equipped with a water pump and 750 liter water tank and 2 trailers, each of them had 3000 liter tanks. The main purpose of this unique vehicle was working in locations where using normal trucks was impossible.

The AGD model was equipped with 2 figures of firemen made in white metal and the front axles of each trailer had working steering.

Currently, the AGD artisans from Kaliningrad are still interested in creating tracked vehicle models. The workshop has some ideas in this area, so apparently collectors will have an opportunity to see new models in future.

AGD Fire Trucks will be discussed next in Part VII.