GAZ-MM 1943 Soviet Truck.

Zvezda 1:35 kit:



The eagle eyed will spot that it is in fact a Model AA Ford, supplied to the Soviet Union once they switched sides during WWII. Good old Henry, never missed an opportunity!!!! LOL

Steel was in short supply at the time and many of them had wooden bodies and canvas roofs just like this one.

All the parts cleaned up and ready for primer. More cleaning will probably be needed after primer I would think. Once that is done, I will assemble as much as possible, that which is the same color, prior to assembly and final painting and weathering.





The bonnet and scuttle were molded as one piece and since I wanted to be able to remove it, in order to see the engine, they had to be seperated.

That's a nice kit Al. When I built it, it went together without any problems.

Looks like a great little kit.

Hi Mr Al,

Am here and watching...

Andy...

Good start. I like the subject.

Thanks guys.

We now have a rolling chassis with engine installed.

Some touch up to do but it's going to be weathered anyway. That's the fun bit!!!

I like this, might have to try and find one.

Interesting! Wish one would come out in 1/25 scale.

Oh dear!! what on earth is going on here....



.... and it seems I'm not the only one....



.... but this guy has made it work. Looks like he's cut down the top edge of the windscreen.

He has definitely got it down. I have faith you can do it too Al. Go for it.

Looking at those pics, not only has he removed some from above the window, it looks like he has sectioned the window frame as well. The top of the window frame is level with the top of the door in the 2nd pic, and the door hinge is lower.

harron68 wrote:Interesting! Wish one would come out in 1/25 scale.

Ditto. Though from Al's work so far, I thought it was in 1/24-5. Looking good Al. Do you have a specific campaign for it?

I saw a show on cable TV at a friend's on the most important weapons of the war.  Among the ten was the Dodge truck sent to the USSR by us in huge numbers.  It towed cannons, transported men and materiel, and helped the Soviets defeat the Nazis.  Not as many Model AAAs apparently. 
    The other built trucks are truly inspiring, with the weathering especially realistic.

Apparently, the effort to aid Russia in WWII was massive. I saw a show on the 100 most important innovations in history and they listed the Studebaker heavy truck as number 52. Over 100,00 were shipped there via the Murmansk route, across the mideast and thru the Siberian Sea in preparation of the counter-offensive.

Also, the GAZ was actually produced in the Soviet Union under a license from Ford.

Looking good so far Al, weathering will make it stand out further methinks.

Might have to get me one after looking at this

Thanks guys.

I have got rid of most of the gap.





Now I need to remove this ridge:

The ridge shows in the box art.

Al: What material are you using? It looks a bit coarse to me.

JohnJ wrote:Al:  What material are you using?  It looks a bit coarse to me.  

The same medical tape I used on the Police model A John. Only this one still needs a gloss coat to reduce the 'hairyness'.

Finally I am finished with the roof. I had to do it in multiple pieces so I gave it an in the field roof 'patch', some joining strips and a rear flap. Hard to see maybe but they are there.

AhhhhhhhHaaaaaaaaaa! Looks mucho better!

Very nice looking top, Al. Great job.

Fantastic work AL, very authentic.