BAV 485

The ZiS-485, army designation BAV (Russian, большой автомобиль водоплавающий - bolshoi avtomobil vodoplavayushchiy, big floating vehicle), is a Soviet amphibious transport, similar to the DUKW.

Introduced in 1952, it was intended to complement the GAZ 46 4x4 amphibious reconnaissance vehicle, but using the ZiS-151 6x6 truck (also used in the BTR-152) as its basis. Similar in size to the DUKW, which it resembles, the BAV has a rear loading ramp by which vehicles can be driven directly aboard, rather than being loaded over the side by crane.

Initially based on ZiS-151 truck, after the introduction of the improved ZiL-157 the vehicle was modernized using its components now bearing the designation ZiL-485A (army designation was BAV-A).

The cargo body is open, but a canvas cover is available.

Propulsion in water is by means of propeller.

BAVs were used in service by Warsaw Pact Armies and in the Middle East up to the 1980s.

In use by the Soviet Union and its allies and client states the BAV was gradually replaced by the much larger tracked PTS amphibious vehicles.

Specification
(water)
 * Rear axle clearance:
 * Ground clearance:
 * Front track: 1590 mm
 * Rear track: 1720 mm
 * Turning radius: 11.2 m
 * Maximum speed (loaded, highway): 60 km/h
 * Tyres: 8¼x20 in (21x102 cm)
 * Fuel tank capacity: 2x 150 L
 * Fuel consumption: 6.7 mpg
 * Top speed: 60 km/h (37 mph) (road)
 * Range: 480 km (298 mi)