ICM 1/72nd ATZ-4-131 “Fuel Bowser”
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Background
The kit contains no information on the subject but according to ICM’s
website, the ZiL-131 6x6 truck with its 3.5-liter engine replaced the
Soviet army’s ZiL-157 vehicle. Mass production of the ZiL-131 began
in 1966 in the Moscow Likhachov automobile factory. These trucks were
reliable, easy to service and had excellent cross-country capabilities.
A number of different vehicles were based on the ZiL-131 including mobile
command posts, fuel tankers and multiple launch rocket systems.
The ZiL-131 continued the Soviet strategy of using the same standard
chassis and sometimes cab for multiple purposes, including both civilian
and military. ICM has followed a similar strategy, namely, using the same
chassis and cab to produce several versions of the ZiL-131: they did the
same for the Zil-157.
In the Box
The box contains a nice portrait of the subject on the front and a color
schematic on the reverse showing the painting scheme and decal placement.
The instructions are basic but fairly easy to follow since there are not
too many parts. The trickiest phase to assemble is the chassis because
it is not always clear where all the pieces fit. However, a “Google”
search of Zil-131 on the web will turn up hundreds of useful links with
color photographs. All this should facilitate assembly of the model.
The main body and chassis parts are in a soft white plastic but they
are nicely molded and the small amount of flash can be sanded off easily.
The six wheels are made from black plastic and come in halves, so these
will need to be cemented carefully. The clear parts look excellent being
both clear and thin.
Construction appears to be fairly straightforward with the only problem
coming in the assembly of the fuel tank itself, which is in halves. It
may be difficult to hide the seam without destroying the “straps”
around the tank. In general, this is an excellent kit and comes at a reasonable
price. I have built several of truck kits from ICM, some of which were
also released under the Omega-k label, and they are excellent. This one
looks no different. Highly recommended.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank Testors
for kindly supplying this review kit.
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