After spending several cups of coffee on Google, I have come up empty on in-action photos of the KET-T, believe it or not. Here’s the closest I found:
That’s actually a pretty good illustration of it’s recovery setup. Here’s a display of it’s towing capability:
And good photos of the KET-T driving by. I guess they are easy to spot when they come through your town!
This truck is truly a monster, but how thick is the sheet metal on that cab? Only as thick as it needs to be! Obviously, you can dent it with an elbow! The rest of this truck is all business, though.
The KET-T is a heavy recovery vehicle. It is based on a MAZ-537 8x8 heavy high mobility vehicle. This vehicle is fitted with special recovery equipment. It entered service with the Soviet Army in the 1960s. Despite its age the KET-T is still in service with Russia and possibly some other countries.
The main role of the KET-T is to recover varuious damaged, overturned, swamped, or stuck 8x8 military vehicles. The KET-T also provides maintenance service and tows vehicles to maintenance units.
This heavy recovery vehicle is fitted with a 15 t capacity recovery winch with 100 m of cable. With the help of pulley blocks traction force is increased to 46 t. Maximum traction force is up to 80 t. Recovery winch is mounted on a special frame. This frame is also used to lift disabled vehicles onto a special towing bar. Also there are two jacks that stabilize the vehicle during recovery operations. Recovery frame can be also used to lift various loads with a maximum weight of 1.5 t. This vehicle also has a welding outfit for welding and cutting works.
Vehicle is equipped with towing bar and towing cables. Disabled and uncontrolled vehicles are towed semi-lifted. Vehicles are towed to the nearest shelters, assembly points of repair depots.
The KET-T is operated by a crew of three, including commander, driver and handler.
Vehicle is powered by a D12A-525 38.9-liter diesel engine, developing 525 hp. At its time it was a standard tank engine. However this engine has short service life. Vehicle has a full-time all-wheel drive. There is a power assisted steering of front four wheels. Standard equipment includes an engine pre-heater, to assist starting in cold climate, and powerful cab heaters. A central tyre inflation system is fitted, to provide better traction over sand and soft ground.
There is also an MTP-A4 repair and recovery vehicle, based on the MAZ-537 chassis.
A newer version of the KET-T was built on KZKT-74281-012 8x8 heavy high mobility chassis. Sometimes it is referred as a KET-TM. It is unknown if this modern version of the vehicle has reached production.
I am mating the cab and fenders together and installing the glass (uh-oh!) now. After that it will be masking and final green airbrushing. More progress photos on the KET-T this afternoon.
