Hello everybody!

[Seanm1ecy]

Hi!

Im new here

I seem to have been roped in with getting a Zil 131 R160 back on the road/air - the truck's new owner might join here, but in the mean time, I thought I should show my face - i've been lurking and learning for a while.

I trained as a vehicle mechanic, but nowadays I am a commissioning engineer for gas powered generating sets, so working with engines and electrics are normal for me!

I collect military radios too, and enjoy working on Soviet kit

I fancy a GAZ 66, but still trying to persuade SWMBO that this is a good idea

Hope to gain lots of knowledge here, and perhaps be able to share some too

Cheers
Sean
M1ECY

[Gaz-lad2]

Hello Sean, welcome to the forum. I guess that you know that there is another R-160 on here. I am sure that you and Chris will compare notes.
I have a Zil 131 R-140 and am trying to work out the radio kit in the rear.

Gaz 66 is a good choice. There is a lot of experience and knowledge on here, I have learnt a lot myself.

Kieran

[Seanm1ecy]

Thanks Kieran,

Yes, I have seen the other R161, I have known this truck from most of it's previous ownership - First saw it at the Elvaston Castle radio rally around 2003 I think.

OK, on your R140, I have some of the R140 radio system here - the PA and Antenna matching unit - if I can help you in any way let me knoiw.

Cheers
Sean

[gaz 66]

Hi Sean and welcome,

I fancy a GAZ 66, but still trying to persuade SWMBO that this is a good idea

this idea has my full support. Although we are currently having some trouble - a GAZ 66 is a truck you can have a lot of fun with. One important point is that all essential spare parts are available for realistic prices.

Knowhow and support for GAZ 66 is excellent here, I have already received a lot of very substantial help. I am trying to give back a little bit with my collection of GAZ 66 related info, mostly written in German but at least with English summaries.

In case of detailed questions regarding blogged information I will make the necessary part available in English, just let me know.

Good luck with the radio truck!

Marcus

[Calfdozer99]

Hello Sean,
Where are you from?
You should get straight on it if you fancy a Gaz 66 as they dont seem to appear for sale very often in the UK.
I tried for quite a while with it not looking too promising, but eventually a forum member gave me the unique opportunity, which was to purchase and drive one back from Northern Sweden ..
Glad I did too because it is a hell of a decent truck ..
Other than that still none have really become available here ..


Regards Scott

[ChrisClemson]

Welcome Sean!

Is the R160 much different to the R161?

[Grommet1]

Hi Sean and welcome. If you're anywhere near Barnsley you're welcome to come by and i'll take you for a run in mine. In spite of some fettling i've had to do to get mine ship shape I'd recommend one as you can't put a price on the big grin it puts on your face and the smiles and looks of wonder as you drive past people. Go for it but as Scott says it may be hard to find one and require a foreign trip.

Cheers
John

[Seanm1ecy]

Hi Chris,

Oops, it's an R161....... typo due to so many hours spent trawling the web over the weekend!

Seems that the GAZ team have come out in full support

I have found a few of the 66s for sale in CZ, which is handy, because we supply generators from there, and I an fairly often over there (it is a nice drive from Jablonec to the UK!)

Oh, location, Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Cheers
Sean

[ChrisClemson]

Hi Chris,

Oops, it's an R161....... typo due to so many hours spent trawling the web over the weekend!

Ah!
I just saw your other post. That one is the brother of mine

[Seanm1ecy]

I kinda thought they might be sisters have you had any luck in tracing the history of yours?

Cheers
Sean

[Zbig Kolacz]

Hi Sean

I am just around a corner from you (LU4)
Let me know if you fancy a ride in a ZIL 131

Kind regards

Zbig

[Seanm1ecy]

Thanks Zbig!

Wow, a very local Zil!, commented to SWMBO that it would be very unlikely to come across another Soviet truck close to us.....

Seems I am wrong

[Zbig Kolacz]

Not just obeyed but always right too

[ChrisClemson]

I kinda thought they might be sisters have you had any luck in tracing the history of yours?

Cheers
Sean

Not really, supposedly it originally came from the MOD, but they weren't keen on divulging any details about it according to the previous owner

[Seanm1ecy]

Hi Chris,

Ah OK, guessing that might be because the previous owner did a fair bit of work for various organisations associated with HMG.

Will stick an FOI request in and see if we can dig out any further info, now that considerable time has passed the sensitivity of the "change of ownership" issues shoud be over.

Be good to catch up with you at some point, being as you actually have a working model!

Does it get on the air much these days?

[Bonobo]

Hi Sean,

Welcome to the forum. It's a great place for info.

Unfortunately Google is letting me down, or is your R160 actually a train??

[Seanm1ecy]

No, it's an R161, im just part of the repair team, not the owner..... The owner has registered and is lurking however.

[Grommet1]

So is it one of these two from RAF Spadeadam? And is the other one Chris's?

RAF Spadeadam - Targets and Decoys
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafspadeadam/gall ... ageContent

Cheers
John

[ChrisClemson]

Hi Chris,
Will stick an FOI request in and see if we can dig out any further info, now that considerable time has passed the sensitivity of the "change of ownership" issues shoud be over.

Be good to catch up with you at some point, being as you actually have a working model!

Does it get on the air much these days?

Yes, that would be good.
Not that much, but I havent had much time since the summer to play with it.
We have started photographing the manuals. I just need to crop them etc before I upload them all.
lmk when would be a good time to meet up.

[ChrisClemson]

So is it one of these two from RAF Spadeadam? And is the other one Chris's?

RAF Spadeadam - Targets and Decoys
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafspadeadam/gall ... ageContent

Cheers
John

They are Urals, not ZILs, and sadly we don't have that awesome radar thingy on top
Can the public go and see the Russian equipment in the photos?