Trumpeter 1/35 KZKT-537L Tractor
By Rob Folden
MAZ KZKT-537L
The MAZ-537L is the Russian military's heavy utility truck. MAZ stands for the Minsk Automobile Plant, which is the Russian equivalent to the Oshkosh Corp. here in the US. The MAZ is used to move everything from Russia's main battle tanks, to ICBM's, and everything in between. The KZKT-537L is a variant of the MAZ which features a truck bed, similar to the US HEMTT A2. In service for more than 50 years, the MAZ/KZKT is an integral part of Russia's military structure.
The Kit
Designed from Trumpeter's MAZ-537 tank transporter kit, the KZKT-537L is an impressive kit. Featuring 8 LARGE tires, the kit comes in the form of 431 pieces including two frets of photoetched brass details. The detail of the casting is great; however the detail on the PE dash panel is beyond great. The kit features markings for two vehicles, both of which are non-standard vehicles. The first is a vehicle used by the Russian Air Force to move around large jets. The other is a winter camo schemed tank mover, with a plain green bed added. Both, however, are actual vehicles. Reference pictures were found online for both.
Construction
Similar to the HEMTT kits, construction starts with the massive frame rails. At nearly a foot long, it's critical that the rails be straight and square. The various drive train assemblies are then added to the center of the frame, while the very complex suspension system is added to the outside. There is a bit of play in the suspension, so I recommend leaving the glue off until the frame is complete. I then dry-fit the wheels on and applied thin glue to the suspension and allowed it to sit overnight. This assured all the wheels made contact with the ground. Construction then continues with the cab. I was a little disappointed in the color guides for the cab, but a few reference photos I found showed that the cab is overall Russian Armor Green, with either a brown or black bench seat. There is a lot of detail on the cab in the form of lights and grab handles. Exercise extreme care as those grab handles like to become little projectiles around the workshop. The MAZ is a mid-engine vehicle, with the engine located behind the cab. The rear of the engine cover is open, and unfortunately Trumpeter did not include an engine. Hopefully we can get a resin one in the future. After assembling and adding the fuel tanks and generator, the bed is the last to add. Its fairly detail for such a simple form.
NOTE- The kit includes PE wipers; however I recommend the plastic ones, as they have the proper depth. Also, be VERY careful with the step ladders.
Painting
Although most references of the MAZ show it to be overall Russian Armor Green, the kit markings represent two vehicles with special camouflage patterns. I began with Testor's MM Acrylic Russian Armor green. After and overall coat, I added the light blue camo [Tamiya Light Blue] followed with the outlines in flat black. The front bumper and rear mud guards are also flat black. The kit has you paint the chassis frame green, however reference photos show it to be black. After touch-ups to the camo, weathering was done by airbrushing Bragdon powders on the chassis and tires. I then “splattered” some dirt on the cab and windows. The various lenses and marker lights were then added.
Conclusion
Overall, I was very impressed with the kit. There are a few areas that could have been engineered a bit easier for the modeler, but hey, that's part of the art of the hobby. I enjoyed building it, and loved painting the unique camo scheme. All together, I spent about 3 days working on this one. The sub-assembly design allows for a rapid build, and depending on the paint scheme you chose, painting can be completed just as fast.
My thanks to the fine folks at Stevens International for providing this fine kit for review.
