Kraz 260 by Takom

Well found some online reviews, and here's some background on this puppy :

HobbyBoss and Takom have this kit in 1:35th scale

But also in other scales and configurations,

There are also some wheels and masks available,

But I won't use any Aftermarket goodies on this one.

KrAZ-260 is a special vehicle in the list of trucks produced by the Kremenchug Automobile Plant, which was able to replace the obsolete models 255 and 256 B. The model was produced since 1979 and was notable for its good cross-country ability and capacity. There were versions of dump truck and tractor.

Its development was started by the design staff in the early 1960s. The most important conditions that were chosen for this model were durability and increased cross-country ability. The vehicle was positioned as a replacement for the KrAZu-255B.

During the design of the new product specialists chose a three-axle version with increased payload as the base. But the right “stuffing” required further development. As a result, both the important components and the cab were further developed. The obsolete metal-wood cab has moved away from production. The design of the leading truck, which will soon become the founder of a large family of trucks, was completed in 1979. Production of the serial plan of the model was started only after two years.

The technical characteristics of the machine were quite high for their time. It allowed to use the truck to transport military personnel, various cargoes and military installations on any surface, even if it was off-road. If we compare the model with its predecessor, the novelty had many advantages. Thanks to extensive testing, it was clear that the speed was increased by 11 per cent, the weight of the cargo was increased by 20 per cent, and fuel consumption was reduced by 6 per cent.
From the very beginning, the main buyers of the 260th vehicle were the military, but after that, the truck was used in other areas as well. In the mid-1960s, the Design Bureau of the Automobile Plant under the supervision of a senior designer (at that time it was V.V. Tabolin) began to design a new machine with increased cross-country ability.

The truck has a turning radius of 13 meters and a possible maximum ford depth of 1.2 meters. This makes it one of the most passable domestic cars. The KrAZ-269V truck tractors were in high demand. At the back of the truck there is a shortened frame and a fifth wheel, with the help of which the truck could tow semitrailers weighing more than 27.5 tons on the city highway and 23 tons on the dirt road.

Such trucks were often used by the military units as road trains for launchers, anti-aircraft missile systems, radar stations, etc. Long chassis, which became standard for the design of various special vehicles, acquired the name 260G.

Technical characteristics

Engine: 14.86 L diesel 8 cyl.
Power: 300 PS /2100rpm
Torque: 1079Nm /1500rpm
Top speed: 80 km/h

The car needed a stronger engine in view of its serious improvement. As a result, they chose an eight-cylinder V-shaped 15-liter multifuel engine YaMZ-238L, where there was a turbocharger. The engine developed 300 horsepower.

The machine was often used in difficult road conditions, therefore, the engine was equipped with an innovative system that included automatic dust extraction and a couple of air filters, where there was a two-stage cleaning system. The exhaust gas systems were also upgraded. Instead of a silencer, a turbocharger was installed here.

To ensure that the engine starts in cold weather, the motor has received a Thermostart electrostatic flare device and a pre-start heater. The location of the motor cannot be called too convenient, since the removal of the power unit requires the removal of the cab. High-pressure fuel pump was 8-section and had a slide valve type, where there was a low-pressure fuel pump, fuel injection advance coupling and all-mode speed regulator. Nozzles are of closed type. KrAz engine consumed 260 liters of fuel at a speed of about 50 km/h. At a speed of 60 kilometers per hour, the consumption increased to 38.5 liters per 100 kilometers.

Two tanks were installed, each with a capacity of 165 litres (330 litres in total) and an auxiliary tank with a capacity of 50 litres of diesel fuel. If the car was fully filled, it could travel up to 1,000 kilometers. The maximum speed limit is 80 kilometres per hour. Do not forget what kind of car it is and for what purpose it was created. Then fuel consumption and questions about its dynamics disappear into the background.
Transmission

Due to the fact that KrAZ-260 was equipped with a stronger engine, it was necessary to install an improved gearbox. Therefore, the model had a four-speed transmission YaMZ-238B, where there were synchronizers at all front speeds. The changes also affected the two-stage dispenser, which had electro-pneumatic speed change control and made it possible to block the inter-axis differential by pressing the required switch.

The latter could be found on the dashboard. The clutch is of a dry, two-disc type, with peripheral springs and a hydro-pneumatic actuator. From the car 255B, we decided to take a more reliable front axle, which was slightly modified. The middle axle was made by the design staff, passing through.
Suspension

The front suspension is dependent and has a base – a pair of semi-elliptic springs and shock absorbers, the ends of the springs are installed in rubber cushions support brackets. The rear mounted suspension is dependent, has a base – a pair of semi-elliptic springs, where there are six jet rods, and the ends of the springs made a sliding type. The height of the ground clearance is as much as 370 millimeters. A four-wheel drive system is provided, which allows the vehicle to be easily driven off-road.
Brake system

It uses a working brake system with drum mechanisms, double-circuit pneumatic drive. One circuit goes to the front and middle axle, and the second to the rear. When the parking brake is used, the spring energy accumulators start working. The drive is pneumatic. The spare brake is combined with the parking brake. The additional brake is a motor retarder and the actuation drive is pneumatic.
Rail control

On the steering mechanism, there is a hydraulic power steering that allows you to easily drive such a massive vehicle. The device has a screw and a ball rail nut, which is meshing with the toothed sector. There is also an amplifier distributor. The power cylinder of the steering booster is connected to the double-arm cam lever.

In addition to the standard model, the Kremenchug automobile plant produced other specialized modifications of the machine:

Standard KrAZ-260, which was put into mass production in 1981;
KrAZ-260A, went along with the YaMZ-238N diesel-powered engine. The model did not have an additional fuel tank and benzocenter pumps BTSN-1;
KrAZ-260B is a truck tractor with a fifth wheel and a frame reduced at the rear. Used together with a semi-trailer weighing 27,500 kg;
KrAZ-260G – model has an elongated chassis;
KrAZ-260D is an experienced truck tractor, which is operated as part of an active road train. The Kremenchug automobile plant produced only a couple of such vehicles;
KrAZ-260L is an experienced logging truck, which is similar in construction to the KrAZ-255L1;
KrAZ-6437 is a serial logging truck where the chassis design has been redesigned.

Cost:

Following the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the popularization of the 260th model has declined dramatically. But even today the car market presents a large number of cars of the Kremenchug automobile enterprise, which can be purchased from the hands. The price category of the 1991-1992 models will range from 400,000 to 700,000 rubles.

Some modifications will cost much more – up to 1 300 000 rubles. Such price changes are quite easy to explain – the machines have different condition, year of manufacture and installed equipment. It is also possible to rent a car, for every hour you will have to pay about 1,000 rubles.

The 260 went in service to replace this one:

And was replaced in 1994 by the Kraz 6322

Some photos:

In Action:

Some details:

And that's a quick preview of the Kraz-260.

Now let's get cracking and open the box, start cutting, cleaning and glueing.

Engine parts !!