IN 1961, THE RUSSIAN MILITARY ORDERED THE TUPOLEV AIRCRAFT COMPANY TO DESIGN AND BUILD AN AMPHIBIOUS CRAFT TO BE USED FOR THE RECOVERY OF RUSSIAN COSMONAUTS DOWNED IN SIBERIA AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR SPACEFLIGHTS.
THE CRAFT HAD TO BE CAPABLE OF CROSSING LAKES, SWAMPY TUNDRA AND HOSTILE TERRAIN AND IT HAD TO BE CAPABLE OF OPERATING AT TEMPERATURESWELL BELOW FREEZING ... AS WELL ACHIEVING SPEEDS WELL ABOVE 160 km/hr.
IN 1965, THE FIRST PROTOTYPE (CALLED THE 007) WAS INTRODUCED AND THIS CRAFT ABOVE WAS THE FIRST ONE MADE. IT HAS A 600psi AIR PRESSURE SYSTEM TO START THE ENGINE AND OPERATES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR BATTERIES IN THE SUPER COLD TEMPERATURES OF SIBERIA.
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SECRET AS TO HOW MANY OF THESE COSMONAUT RESCUE CRAFT ACTUALLY WERE BUILT.