Ace 1/72 G506 1.5t E-5 Turret Trainer

The Chevrolet 1.5-ton G-506 (Chevrolet model G 4100 then G 7100) was produced from 1940 to 1945 of which 168603 were made, mostly by Chevrolet. It was the standard 1.5-ton 4-wheel drive truck for the US Army and Army Air Force. The G506 used a Chevrolet BV-1001-UP, 235.5 cu in (3859 cc) gasoline engine developing 83 hp at 3,100 rpm . This is a smaller version of the engine used in the GMC CCKW.

Training of aircrew was intense and required a vast organisation behind it. Being able to train on the equipment you would subsequently use was vital and needed to be as realistic as possible. All aircrew began in the classroom with theory and then separated out into specific functions. In the case of gunners firing the guns at targets was their job and firing a rifle on a range would not prove much. What they needed was a moving target so they could understand prediction and deflection. This is where towed targets come into their own without the expense of flying.

Ace Models are a company based in the Ukraine produced, as said on the box, using short run technology and recommend them for modellers with ‘above average skills’. They produce vehicles and helicopters making some that other manufacturers wouldn’t consider. They also sell photoetch for a variety of mainly Eastern European machines.

I have found with Ace kits that their instructions need very careful reading, they will give a sprue plan with part numbers replicated on the sprues, and a general view of construction stages with arrows pointing to part placement, Be careful, as not all parts required are mentioned on the instructions. A couple of examples being the radiator and windscreen wipers, in the kit instructions there is no mention at all. You can find them on other Ace model instructions for Chevrolet trucks, these being available on their website in the photo section for the kit, web address below. I suggest the moulds are metal and the mention of short run is the number of this variant produced as some of the sprues are used in other kits.

Having griped about the kit I must sing its praises. Moulded in a medium Grey styrene. Parts, even though it says it’s a short run kit, are spot on, mould join lines are hardly visible and some parts are very fine, so be careful when removing them from their sprue. The turret is not provided with the glazing, this is correct as most were open, if you want to glaze it then use the top turret from a B-17 or B-24. The guns are beautifully cast, some will want to replace the barrels but I don’t think this is needed.

There are 4 marking options, 1 based in Panama, 2 in the USA and 1 Espiritu Santa for the New Zealand Navy, all are Olive Drab, An instrument decal is also included along with a small etched sheet. The kit comes in a 2-part tray and lid box with a side view picture of the subject on the front. A flash on the front tells you it is digitally designed.

To sum up, this is a good, if fiddly kit of a lesser known vehicle but vital to the war effort. With careful part removal and a thorough read through the instructions you will end up with a great model. Thoroughly recommended.

http://www.acemodel.com.ua/ru/model/873

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_G506

Mike Abbott

July 2026

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved. No reproduction  in part or in whole without express permission.