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AER MODEL STUDIO 1/72 RESIN "KATIUSHA" JET VOLLEY FIRE SYSTEM ON THE BASIS OF THE STZ-5 ARTILLERY TRACTOR

By Ray Mehlberger

KIT NO. 7213  MSRP: $16.10

 

HISTORY:

The ZIS-6 wheeled-chassis rocket system displayed limited maneuverability during battle use on marshy or wooded landscape. This quickly resulted in the idea of creating a rocket volley system based on a tracked vehicle. The design department of Moscow, "Communar" plant, the main creator of rocket volley systems, developed a variant of a fighting machine with the BM-13 "Katiusha" launcher on the chassis of the STZ-3 tractor.

The system, which was called "BM-NATI", proved to be a good one. Its most important feature was its good cross-country ability. It was much better than the wheeled-chassis version. Its other peculiarity was the possibility of shooting over open-sights. For example: The Guards Sailor Unit of the 13th Detached Division, which was fighting over-land, by using this advantage destroyed 11 German tanks in two almost point-blank volleys over open sights during one of the battles of Rostov-on-Don.

In the Soviet Army the rocket volley system on the STZ-5 tractor was nicknamed the "Katiusha".

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?:

This resin kit is packed in a small, white, end-opening type generic box. The box art is a large color label, glued on the top. It shows a completed kit photo and a wartime patriotic Soviet postor in the background.

The kit consists of 112 dark resin parts. These are in three small zip-lock bags that are further packed into a larger zip-lock bag. Parts have all been produced in squash-molds and the parts are all in thin wafers. The excess resin material, around the parts, is very thin and easily removed (I actually broke some of it away with just my fingers).

Parts look good and well detailed. The resin may be on the hard and brittle side, so care should be excercised when handling the parts.

The instructions is a small, two-sided single sheet. One side has the history of the vehicle in Russian and English. The reverse side of this sheet gives us 11 exploded drawings for assembly. These drawings are rather small and I would recommend putting them under a magnifying glass to read them better.

The box art shows a finished model with clear window parts in place. However, there are no clear parts in the kit. Nor does the instructions indicate that there ever were any.

Interior parts consist of seats and a dash-board, but no control levers or steering apparatus is given. This is sad as the cab doors are separate pieces and can be posed in the open position if wanted. No figures are included.

There is a very comprehensive decal sheet, with many options on it. However, there are no instructions as to how or where to use these markings. The only help in this matter is the box photo which shows crossed cannon barrels on the door of the cab, but this is only one of the many markings on the decal sheet.

Conclusion

I think the kit will make up into a neat looking vehicle and will look good in any 1/72nd scale Soviet armor collection. I just wish there had been some clear parts in the kit and some decal marking instructions.

Recommended to 1/72nd scale armor modelers, who have some resin model experience under their belts already.

I want to thank Alex of AER Models, Moldovia for this review sample.

AER Colectie Srl. 
41 Bolgarskaya Street 
Office 11 PO391 
Tel/Fax +373(2)27 31 77 
Chisnau, Moldova