The GAZ-34039 Irbis is a Soviet-era tracked snow and swamp vehicle built by the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ). It is a further development of the GT-SM, also known as the GAZ-71. It is powered by a turbocharged 110 hp diesel and has a five-speed gearbox. This page covers the key facts, the design, the history and the questions people ask most often.
GAZ-34039 at a glance
| Manufacturer | Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) |
|---|---|
| Type | Tracked snow and swamp vehicle |
| Engine | D-245.12C, inline four-cylinder turbodiesel |
| Power | 110 hp |
| Gearbox | Five-speed |
| Running gear | 12 road wheels, two guide wheels, two drive wheels at the front, two tracks |
| Predecessor | GT-SM (GAZ-71) |
The Russian source describes the vehicle as a development of the GT-SM. Production years are not given in the source used here.
History
The GAZ-34039 is a further development of the GT-SM, which was designated GAZ-71. It is a tracked vehicle built for travel across snow and swamps, where wheeled cars cannot go.
The Irbis was shown at the Armiya-2020 exhibition, where the photo was taken. Its engine was fitted with a pre-heater, which allows the engine to start at low temperatures.
Design and features
- Inline four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with 110 hp.
- A pre-start heater for the engine, so it can start in low temperatures.
- Five-speed gearbox with the final drive in a single unit.
- Twelve road wheels, two guide wheels, two drive wheels at the front, and two tracks. The tracks come in an open-hinge (OSh) version and another type.
Variants
- GAZ-34039 Irbis: the snow and swamp vehicle described here.
- GT-SM (GAZ-71): the earlier model from which the Irbis was developed.
See also: the GAZ collection, the GAZ 69 and the GAZ 3110 Volga.
GAZ-34039 questions and answers
What is the GAZ-34039?
A tracked snow and swamp vehicle, a development of the GT-SM (GAZ-71).
What engine does it use?
The D-245.12C, an inline four-cylinder turbodiesel with 110 hp.
What did the GAZ-34039 develop from?
The GT-SM, also called the GAZ-71.
Video: GAZ-34039 Irbis
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- ГАЗ-34039, Russian Wikipedia: engine, gearbox, running gear, development from GT-SM
- GAZ-34039 Irbis at Armiya-2020, Wikimedia Commons: photo and licence
