Russian GAZ-66 Light Truck II, 1/35 - Trumpeter 01017

The Russian GAZ-66 Light Truck II with ZU-23-2 model kit by Trumpeter, reference 01017, reproduced at 1/35 scale, depicts a GAZ-66 military truck equipped with a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun installation. This injection-molded plastic kit to be assembled combines the rugged Soviet off-road vehicle with armament mounted on its rear platform, making it ideal for collections of modern military vehicles and for dioramas.

The GAZ-66 is a 4x4 truck designed by GAZ for off-road use. It was notably used as a transport vehicle within Soviet motorized forces and continued to be employed in several countries that emerged from the former Soviet space. Its distinctive forward-control cab silhouette, full-time all-wheel drive chassis, and off-road capability make it an iconic vehicle of Soviet and Russian military equipment from that era.

Here, Trumpeter offers a highly detailed reproduction including a cab made using multi-directional slide-molds, as well as a complete transmission assembly. The build includes the engine, gearbox, differential housings, and suspension components. The tires are provided in hollow rubber with tread texture accurately reproduced.

With more than 590 parts, this model allows you to work on the vehicle’s main subassemblies separately: chassis, running gear, mechanical components, cab, rear platform, and the ZU-23-2 installation. Four photo-etched parts are also included to further enhance the detailing. The assembled model is 190.7 mm long and 38.5 mm wide.

Preparing the parts, removing injection-molding seams and adjusting the subassemblies before gluing will help preserve the finesse of the reproduction. Step-by-step painting—especially of the chassis and the cab interior before closing the assemblies—generally makes it easier to access mechanical details. Applying a primer suited to plastic scale models then helps standardize the surfaces before painting and applying markings.

At 1/35 scale, each real-world dimension of the vehicle is reduced by a factor of 35. This common format in military scale modeling allows the GAZ-66 and its anti-aircraft armament to be integrated into a scene with figures, support vehicles, terrain elements, or diorama accessories in the same scale.

Technical features:

• Brand: Trumpeter
• Reference: 01017
• Type: military model kit to assemble
• Subject: Russian GAZ-66 truck with ZU-23-2
• Scale: 1/35
• Material: plastic
• Number of parts: more than 590
• Sprues: 15 sprues and tires
• Photo-etched parts: 4 elements
• Length (assembled): 190.7 mm
• Width (assembled): 38.5 mm

For assembly, plan on plastic model glue, cutting and deburring tools, fine sandpaper, and paints suited to scale modeling. A fine-point tweezers is particularly useful for handling small parts and photo-etched elements.