I love this hobby. I’ve met more interesting people via this hobby then I can remember, and I’ve seen so many interesting vehicles that I can’t keep score. Like this one. The Russian made Aerosled K30.
Sent to my by Igor Zaidel of Berlin, Germany, Igor believed the Aerosled may be one of the biggest snowplane ever built. Aerosled is Russian for “Snow Plane”. This unusual all-purpose van was created by “Kamow“, who also build helicopters. It was built in 1962 by order of The Ministry of Communication of the USSR. It was to be used as a small cargo and passengers delivery vehicle in Syberia and north Kazahstan. Borat would be proud.
Between 1963-1964 they built 350 machines at the Arsenyev and Komsomolsk-na-Amure aviation factory. The Aerosled can hold up to 10 passengers. The motor has 9 pistons, and is a 4-stroke, air cooled AI-14 specially modified “PD AI-14FRS” and turns out 353 HP. AI-14 trade name is M-14, and around 500 of these engines are at work in the USA and Canada.
It was produced until now by Voronezh mechanical factory. Propeller: 2.7 meters long, the max speed: 113 km per hour (slightly over 70 M.P.H.). It weighs 3200 kg, or 7,054 lbs. It’s Cargo weight can go up to 1000kg, or about 2000 lbs.
This Aerosled was in the personal use of Mister Grachov, famous “Blue Bird” car creator and builder of rover and tactical rockets vehicles. Mister Grachov used it as his own transport and or caravan vehicle during two seasons while test driving his other monstrous creations, pictured below. It has been stored for over 30 years in and “operating yard” and was found by Russian historical car enthusiasts.
When the machine changed owners, it lost the propeller, gas and oil tanks, and several small accessories. Other than that, Igor says that an aviation expert recently checked the motor and systems and says that everything is in good condition.
The reason Igor sent me all this information is that he is a marketer, and he has agreed to sell the machine for the current owner. The price he listed I think is a mistake ($30.00 U.S. Funds) but I sent an email to him for confirmation. It is stored 30 km from Moscow, Russia. Igor can help with the logistics and moving of such a beast for $100 U.S. per day. For anyone not Russian who wishes to purchase the vehicle, it can be registered as a “Vessel” which will reduce customs formalities.
Neat huh? Just for fun I took a check after getting this email. Counting Russia now, we now have regular readers of vintagesleds.com from over 20 countries!
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1960’s era promotional photos
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Other versions were outfitted for use on lakes or as ambulances.
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This Aerosled was owned by Mister Grachov, who also built some very unusual vehicles…
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