The ZiS-5 was a Soviet 3-ton military truck used extensively during World War II for troop and cargo transport. Introduced in 1933 by the Moscow-based Zavod imeni Stalina (ZiS) factory, it was powered by a 5.5-liter, 73 hp inline-6 petrol engine, giving it a top speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) and a range of 270 km (168 mi). The truck featured rear-wheel drive (4×2) and had a payload capacity of 3,000 kg (6,600 lbs). Its simple, rugged design allowed for mass production and easy repairs, making it a workhorse of the Red Army. The ZiS-5 was adapted into various roles, including ambulance, fuel tanker, and artillery tractor, and remained in service long after the war.
This ZiS-5 Truck with DShK Heavy Machine Gun, nicknamed “Dushka” for Anti Aircraft purposes was photographed in the Central Museum of Armed Forces in Moscow in 2009.
