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Soviet 1.5 ton Cargo Truck


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Soviet 1.5 ton Cargo Truck

MiniArt 1:35

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The GAZ AA 1.5 ton truck was a licenced manufactured version of the Ford AA truck for the Soviet Union, where more than 950,000 were built.  There were many body styles, but the most recognisable version was the flat bed truck as depicted in this kit. The model is contained within a very attractive, bright and colourful box that MiniArt have started using recently. Inside, there are thirty five sprues in grey styrene, one of clear a single sheet of etch brass and a full decal sheet. Once again, MiniArt have included, what is essentially another kit, in the form of a large set of furniture for that can be placed on the truck bed. Inside the beautifully printed instruction sheet there are two printed carpets, with the backing also printed alongside, so that it can be folded over forming the complete carpet, for the modeller to cut out and use. The carpets can then be rolled up and placed on the truck.

 

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The build starts with the nicely detailed engine with the block, head and sump being glued together followed by the addition of the starter motor, alternator, water pump, auxiliary drive belt, cooling fan, cooling pipes, oil filler pipe.  The gearbox is then assembled from three parts and glued to the engine assembly, along with intake manifold. The two, chassis rails are fitted with an extra beam where the truck bed will sit. These are held on the rails by three “U” bolts and thir associated clamps. The rear leaf springs are then attached via their support links. Four cross members are then used to join the rails together, as well as the rear chassis end piece, to which the towing eye spring is attached. There is a three piece box attached to the left hand rail, near the front.

 

The wheels are assembled, and in this, MiniArt have deviated from the norm, by making the inner tyre half made up from four individual rings, while the outer section is made up of three rings.  The wheel itself is then sandwiched between the two tyre sections.  Whilst this sounds odd, I think it’s to make a realistic tyre with the type of radial tread used at the time. The rear axle and differential is made up from six parts, if you include the drive shaft. This assembly is then fitted to the rear leaf springs, while the front suspension is made up on a single leaf spring assembly mounted laterally and fitted with the front axle, steering rack and support arms. The rear differential is then fitted with a triangular support structure which also supports the brake rods. The front chassis end cap is attached as are the two bumper side arms, while to the rear there is a choice of towing hook styles, one, just a single piece unit, the other is made up from five parts. The spare wheel, mounted under the rear chassis is held in place by a support large clamp. The front and rear brake drums are then attached to the axles, followed by two wheels per side on the rear axle and one per side on the front axle. The engine assembly in then glued into position, followed by the two piece radiator, two piece front bumper and two support brackets on chassis rails. The five piece exhaust is the attached to the right hand side.

 

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The two front fenders are each single piece units to which a small hook is attached before being fitted to the chassis, as are two of the lateral truck bed beams. The cab floor is also attached and fitted with the bench seat, gear stick and panel support. The three piece wiper/wiper motor is fitted to the front screen surround, once the clear screen has been fitted. The screen is then fitted with two small arms, these can be glued in either the stowed position for a closed screen, or down, so that the screen can be posed open. The rear of the bonnet section is then glued to the front of the screen support, along with eh two side sections and engine bulkhead which has been detailed with several small parts. Inside the foot pedals are attached lower bulkhead, part of the floor panel fitted earlier, before the front cab assembly is glued into place, along with the steering column and wheel. The three piece rear panel and roof of the cab are then glued into place, as are the two bonnet supports, between the bulkhead and the radiator. Each door is made up from five parts, including clear section, door handles, latches and window winders. The doors are then put to one side.

 

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The bonnet halves, split longitudinally are each made from two sections, which can be posed in either the open or closed positions, allowing the modeller to show of the engine should they so choose.  The doors are then attached; again, they can be posed open or closed as the modeller wishes. The three piece horn is attached to a rail, which in turn is attached to the front of the vehicle between the fenders. The two, three piece headlights are then fitted, as is the single, two piece wing mirror, on the drivers side. The truck bed is then assembled from five parts, bed, sides, front and rear sections, and glued into place, completing the truck section of the build.

 

The rest of the build concentrates on the furniture. There are two styles of chair, each made up form five parts, a three piece miners lamp, two piece oil lamp and a four piece telephone.  The main furniture items consist of a five piece office desk, seven piece cupboard, six piece chest of drawers, and ten piece circular table.  Also included is a five piece radio telephone, used on some of the options. As mentioned earlier there are the two carpets printed in the instructions booklet, and there are also six large period posters and six small posters, which could also be the covers of pamphlets.

 

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Decals

The decal sheet gives the modeller no less than eight options. The decals are beautifully printed, are clear and in good register with a slightly matt finish. The names of the different companies are included, as well as their respective registration plates and insignia. The options:-

 

  • GAZ AA, Emergency help, Trolleybus Park, Leningrad, 1937-1939. Black cab, chassis and wheels with green truck bed sides.
  • GAZ AA, Emergency Technical Assistance vehicle, machinery municipal trust cleaning, Moscow, 1939-1941. Painted overall Ochre, with black chassis and wheels.
  • GAZ AA, Technical Assistance of the Machine Tractor Station, Orel Region, Summer period, 1939-1941. Green cab and bonnet section, Emerald Green truck bed sides, black chassis and wheels.
  • GAZ AA, Requisitioned transport of the needs of the Red Army of one of the collective farms in the Kiev region. Kiev Pocket, August to September 1941. Green 4BO cab and bonnet section and wheels, Emerald green truck bed sides, black chassis.
  • GAZ AA, Freight Taxi, Moscow, 1938-1941. Emerald green overall, with Green 4BO wheels and black chassis.
  • GAZ AA, Freight Taxi, Odessa region, 1947.  Green 4BO cab and bonnet section and wheels, Dark Emerald green truck bed sides, black chassis
  • GAZ AA, Postal truck, Stalingrad region, 1939-1942. Grey cab and bonnet section, Dark Emerald green truck bed sides, Green 4BO wheels, black chassis.
  • GAZ AA, Postal truck, Ruza, Moscow region, 1950. Green 4BO overall, including wheels, black chassis.

 

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Conclusion

I just love these trucks from MiniArt, they are so evocative of the period and can be used in so many situations, whether on their own, a military or civilian diorama.  The added furniture and posters provide the modeller with even more options on how to display their creation. You really do get so much for your money with this and the German truck reviewed here. The staff at MiniArt should be commended for giving us modellers such great kits with pretty much everything you need, just let your imagination run wild.

 

 

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Review sample courtesy of Miniart - Distibuted in the UK By Creative Models

 

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