BLUE BIRD: The Soviet Space Rescue Monster

This documentary-style video tells the forgotten story of the Soviet "Blue Bird" (ZIL-4906 / ZIL-49061) – a unique amphibious rescue vehicle designed to reach cosmonauts after landing.

From Vitaly Grachev’s experimental all-terrain machines to the creation of the legendary Space Rescue Complex-490, we trace the evolution of Soviet off-road engineering. These incredible vehicles could drive through deep snow, swamps, rivers, and even carry screw-propelled machines for the most extreme missions.

Although originally built to rescue crews of the Soyuz spacecraft, the Blue Bird found a second life in rescue operations, oil exploration, fishing, and even disaster relief.
This is not just a story of one vehicle, but a glimpse into the hidden world of Soviet special-purpose engineering.

If you enjoy rare automotive history, Soviet vehicles, and documentary storytelling — this film is for you.

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