View source for GAZ-69

{{Short description|Soviet four-wheel drive light truck}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = GAZ-69
| image = GAZ 69 (217 XUD) pic1.JPG
| caption = 
| manufacturer = {{ubl|[[GAZ]] (1953–1956)|[[UAZ]] (1956–1972)}}
| aka = Kaengsaeng 68 (North Korea)<ref>{{Cite web |title=KAENGSAENG 68KA {{!}} chinesecars |url=https://www.chinesecars.net/content/kaengsaeng-68ka |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=www.chinesecars.net}}</ref><br />Sungri 4.10/25 (North Korea)<br />UAZ-69
| production = 1953–1972 (1975 for Romania)
| model_years = 
| assembly = Soviet Union: [[Nizhny Novgorod|Gorky]], [[Ulyanovsk]]<br/>Romania: [[Câmpulung]] (spare parts only)
| predecessor = {{ubl|[[GAZ-67]]|[[Willys MB]]}}
| successor = [[UAZ-469]]
| class = Light truck
| body_style = 2-door cargo, 4-door field car
| layout = [[Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, four-wheel-drive]]
| platform = 
| related = [[ARO IMS|IMS-57, M59, ARO M461]]<br>[[UAZ-452]]
| engine = 2.1&nbsp;L ''GAZ-69'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
| transmission = 3-speed manual
| wheelbase = {{convert|2300|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|3850|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1750|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1950|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|1535-1589|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
}}
[[File:Gaz-uaz.jpg|thumb|right|GAZ-69A]]
[[File:UAZ-69A during II. Vasút - Vasútmodell és Technikai Modell Fesztivál 2.jpg|thumb|GAZ-69A rear]]
The '''GAZ-69''' is a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[four-wheel drive]] off-road vehicle produced by [[GAZ]] (ГАЗ, or ''Gorkovsky Avtomobilnyi Zavod'', Gorky Automobile Factory) between 1953 and 1956 and then by [[UAZ]] between 1956 and 1972, though all of these light truck class vehicles were known as GAZ-69s. It was also produced in Romania until 1975.<ref name=thompson70>Thompson, Andy. ''Cars of the Soviet Union'' (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p. 70.</ref>

==Development and production==
The GAZ-69 was created by the team of chief designer Grigoriy Vasserman as a replacement for the [[GAZ-67|GAZ-67B]] that would have lower fuel consumption than its predecessor and use the same {{convert|55|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}} {{convert|2.1|L|cid|abbr=on}} inline four and three-speed [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] as the [[GAZ-M20|GAZ-M20 ''Pobeda'']]. The axles and some other parts were taken from the GAZ-67B. The development process started in 1946 and the first prototypes known under the name "Truzhenik" (Toiler) were built in 1947. After extensive on-road testing, the new off-road vehicle went into production on August 25, 1953.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.off-road-drive.ru/archive/32/Geroy_soctruda | title=The history of the development of the GAZ-69| publisher=www.off-road-drive.ru|language=ru}}</ref> Over 600,000 GAZ-69s had been built by the end of production in the USSR in 1972. A copy of the GAZ-69 with some modifications was produced by [[ARO (company)|ARO]] in Romania until 1975, first as the [[ARO IMS#IMS-57|IMS-57]], then heavily redesigned as the [[ARO IMS#M59|IMS M59]], and later modernized as the [[ARO IMS#M461|ARO M461]].<ref>''IMS M461'', "Avtolegendy SSSR i Socstran" No. 168, DeAgostini 2015, ISSN 2071-095X {{in lang|ru}}, p.3-6</ref> GAZ-69s were standard military jeeps of the Eastern Bloc and client states, except Romania that mainly used the locally built ARO models.

==Design==
The standard GAZ-69 was able to reach {{convert|56|mph|km/h|abbr=on}},<ref>Thompson, p. 176.</ref> but more powerful versions, with 2,400&nbsp;cc (derived from the basic 2,100&nbsp;cc) 65 h.p. engines and the same three-speed gearbox, could reach {{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. They were known as the GAZ-69M, or GAZ-69AM for the four-door version.<ref name=ware177>Ware, Pat. ''The World Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles'' (Lorenz Books, 2010), p. 177.</ref>

It featured two fuel tanks, one of {{convert|47|L|usgal impgal|0}} under the floor, one of {{convert|28|L|usgal impgal|0}} beneath the passenger's seat.<ref name=thompson70/> All civilian models also had to meet [[Soviet Army|Army]] requirements, in case of wartime [[Expropriation|requisitioning]]. (This is also why a hardtop version was not available until 1993)<ref>Thompson, p. 176</ref> The basic variant '''GAZ-69''' has a pair of doors and usually has standard canvas top and upper sides; there are two seats in front and two folding benches for three passengers each on sides. The further variant '''GAZ-69A''' (UAZ-69A) has four doors, folding canvas top and two rows of seats.

It was used as the basis for the rear-wheel drive van GAZ-19 that was built in 1955 but did not pass the prototype stage. The off-road van and light truck [[UAZ-452|UAZ-450]] and the newer [[UAZ-469]] also traced their origins to the GAZ-69.<ref name=ware177/>

==Military use==
The GAZ-69 had been the basic light off-road vehicle of the Soviet Army, replacing [[GAZ-67]]s and [[Willys MB|Willys Jeeps]], before the army adopted the [[UAZ-469]].<ref name=ware177/> It was also used as the basis for the [[3M6 Shmel#History|2P26]] [[tank destroyer]], as well as for the [[GAZ-46]] MAV, a light [[4x4]] [[amphibious vehicle]] inspired by the [[Ford GPA]] 'Seep'.<ref name=ware177/>

==Users==
* {{flag|Afghanistan|1980}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shankar |first1=Colonel C. P. |title=Military in Pakistan and Afghanistan A Brief History |date=2015 |page=202 |publisher=Neha Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-9380318851 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FxnkEAAAQBAJ}}</ref>
* {{flag|Albania|1946}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=The North Korea Of Europe: Listing Socialist Albania's Military Equipment |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/03/the-north-korea-of-europe-listing.html |website=Oryx |access-date=23 December 2023}}</ref>
* {{ARM}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Janovsky |first1=Jakub |last2=Dan |last3=Mitzer |first3=Stijn |last4=Oliemans |first4=Joost |last5=Kemal |title=The Fight For Nagorno-Karabakh: Documenting Losses On The Sides Of Armenia And Azerbaijan |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/09/the-fight-for-nagorno-karabakh.html |website=Oryx |access-date=5 January 2024 |date=27 September 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Cambodia}}
* {{CHN}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=United States Department of the Army |title=Handbook on the Chinese Communist Army |date=1960 |publisher=Headquarters, Department of the Army |page=111 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g40PLENq5SEC |access-date=23 December 2023 |language=en |author1-link=United States Department of the Army }}</ref>
* {{CUB}}{{sfn|Foss|Gander|1985|page=311}}
* {{COL}}
* {{CZS}}{{sfn|Department of the Army|1960|page=73}}
* {{GDR}}{{sfn|Department of the Army|1960|page=97}}
* {{EGY}}{{sfn|Foss|Gander|1985|page=311}}
* {{FIN}}{{sfn|Foss|Gander|1985|page=311}}
* {{HUN}}
* {{IDN}} − around 4400 units ordered in total; first batch 4000 units ordered by government, second batch 400 units ordered by [[Indonesian Air Force]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tsyganov |first=Mikhail |date=2014-03-20 |title=Tahun 1958, Mobil Uni Soviet GAZ-69 Taklukkan Gunung Api Jawa |url=https://id.rbth.com/blogs/2014/03/19/tahun_1958_mobil_uni_soviet_gaz-69_taklukkan_gunung_api_jawa_23423 |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=Russia Beyond |language=id-ID}}</ref>
*{{flag|Iraq|1963}}<ref>{{cite book | author1-last=[[National Training Center]] |title=The Iraqi Army: Organization and Tactics |date=1 January 1991 |publisher=Paladin Press |isbn=978-0-87364-632-1 |page=145 |language=English}}</ref>
*{{flag|Iran|1964}}
* {{MLI}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Sons of Bamako - Malian Armed Forces Fighting Vehicles |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/10/sons-of-bamako-malian-armed-forces.html |website=Oryx |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref>
* {{NEP}}
* {{PRK}} − Built locally as the Kaengsaeng<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lankov |first1=Andrei | author-link = Andrei Lankov|title=North of the DMZ: Essays on Daily Life in North Korea |date=10 January 2014 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5141-8 |page=146 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hmKiUkUE_p8C |language=en}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Poland}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=GAZ 69 |url=https://www.gaz69.org/army/VehiclesPL.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.gaz69.org}}</ref>
* {{flag|Romania|1965}} − Built locally<ref>{{cite book |last1=United States Congress Joint Economic Committee |title=East European Economies Post-Helsinki: A Compendium of Papers Submitted to the Joint Economic Committee, Congress of the United States |date=1977 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=398 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1qdFSFqpTvIC |access-date=26 January 2024 |language=en |author1-link=United States Congress Joint Economic Committee }}</ref>
* {{RUS}}
* {{USSR}}<ref name="ware177" />
* {{SYR}}{{sfn|Foss|Gander|1985|page=311}}
* {{VIE}}{{sfn|Foss|Gander|1985|page=311}}
* {{LAO}}<ref>Conboy and McCouaig, ''The War in Laos 1960-75'' (1989), p. 21.</ref>
* {{flag|Lebanon}}<ref>Sex & Abi-Chahine, ''Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, from 1975 to 1991 and Beyond'' (2021), p. 201.</ref>

== In popular culture ==
In the film [[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]] a GAZ-69 appears in one of the chases of the film involving Spalko and the main characters. It is also seen briefly in the 1977 film [[In the Zone of Special Attention|In The Zone of Special Attention]] 

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:GAZ69-MoT-STL.jpg|A retired GAZ-69 in the [[National Museum of Transportation]] in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri|Mo]], United States
File:UAZ-69.jpg|A retired GAZ-69 in the {{Interlanguage link multi|Fort aan den Hoek van Holland|nl}} in [[Hook of Holland]], [[Netherlands]]
File:FUG_2.jpg|A GAZ-69 of the Hungarian Army
File:Gaz-uaz-69m-1958-20130502-l.jpg|UAZ-69M, front view
File:GAZ-69_Armaturenbrett.jpg|GAZ-69, interior

</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Einheits-PKW der Wehrmacht]]
*[[Stoewer|Stoewer R200 light off-road car]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin|30em}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F. |editor2-last=Gander |editor2-first=Terry J. |editor1-link=Christopher F Foss |title=Jane's Military Vehicles and Ground Support Equipment 1985 |date=1985 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-0811-6 |edition=6th |language=English}}
*{{cite book |last1=United States Department of the Army |title=Handbook on the Satellite Armies |date=1960 |publisher=Headquarters, Department of the Army |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Eoc-FktJHr0C |access-date=23 December 2023 |language=en |ref={{SfnRef|Department of the Army|1960}} |author1-link=United States Department of the Army }}
*Kenneth Conboy and Simon McCouaig, ''The War in Laos 1960-75'', Men-at-arms series 217, Osprey Publishing Ltd, London 1989. {{ISBN|9780850459388}}
*Zachary Sex & Bassel Abi-Chahine, ''Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, from 1975 to 1991 and Beyond'', Modern Conflicts Profile Guide Volume II, AK Interactive, 2021. {{EAN|8435568306073}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.gaz69.org/ GAZ-69 – Everything you want to know about the GAZ-69]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160404084600/http://www.mortarinvestments.eu/products/jeeps,-trucks-a-motos-3/gaz-69-63 GAZ-69 on sale at the Mortar Investments website]
* [http://www.sovietarmor.com/catalog/armored/gaz_69.html GAZ-69 at the Soviet Armor website]

[[Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Off-road vehicles]]
[[Category:GAZ Group trucks]]
[[Category:Military vehicles of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Military light utility vehicles]]
[[Category:Military trucks of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1950s]]

{{UAZ timeline 1958 to date}}