GAZ-AAA

The GAZ-AAA truck was distinguished by its three axles, two of them driven. Compared with the basic one-and-a-half-tonne truck, the additional wheels significantly improved its ability to negotiate forest tracks and unpaved roads. NATI engineers began work on the Ford AA-based 6×4 model in 1932. Soviet designers developed their own three-axle version of the GAZ-AA, with worm-drive axle final drives and a reduction gearbox. The GAZ-AAA was then brought to production readiness at GAZ under V. A. Grachev’s direction.

Series production began in 1934 and continued until July 1943, with 37,373 vehicles built. After the outbreak of the German-Soviet war, the GAZ-AAA’s design was considerably simplified to reduce manufacturing costs and labour requirements without impairing the truck’s capabilities. The three-axle chassis could accommodate a wide variety of bodies and equipment, including fuel and oil tankers, radar installations and radio stations.