Trumpeter 1/35 Zil-157 6x6 Truck
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The Kit
With the amount of work and detail that went into the truck inside the
SA-2 missile transporter kit (and its Chinese version as well), it is
not surprising to see the Zil-157, the heart of the missile transporter
tractor, offered as a kit as well. Instead of the trailer mount on the
back of the chassis, we have the classical truck bed in place.
Molded in medium green styrene, the Zil-157 is proved on eight sprue
trees, not counting the truck cab, canvas bed cover, seven rubber tires,
and a tree of clear parts. As with the truck with the SA-2 transporter
that we reviewed last month, the kit starts with a highly detailed chassis
and an even more detailed engine. If Trumpeter puts this much detail into
an army truck, their upcoming 1/25 scale car kits are going to put the
rest of the model car industry to shame!
Assembly of the 6x6 drive train is straightforward, and while there
are a significant number of parts that comprise the total chassis, there
are no major issues apparent. Assembly of the cab is identical to the
SA-2 transporter kit and likewise does not lack for any details. The driver
and passenger doors are molded separately to allow positioning of the
doors in other than the standard ‘closed’ position on most
kits.
The main difference between this kit and the earlier versions is the
rear cargo bed. The usual wooden bed is enclosed with wooden stakes and
slats, with wooden bench seats on either side of the bed. An optional
canvas top, which is absolutely beautifully molded inside and out, can
be slipped over the top of the bed.
Conclusions
If you want something different to build and one that would look great
parked next to your Tamiya T-55A unloading ammo and supplies, this is
the kit for you! With no obvious gotchas in the plans, I can recommend
this kit to anyone who has experience with more detailed models and even
to those who’d like to try their hands at one.
My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!
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