Tamiya 1/48 GAZ-67B

KIT #:	32542
PRICE:	1000 yen SRP
DECALS:	Three options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:

The GAZ-67 and the subsequent GAZ-67B were general purpose four wheel drive Soviet military vehicles built by GAZ starting in 1943. These and the previous GAZ-64 were inspired by the Kubelwagen and the Jeep as the Soviets did not have anything similar when the war started. The only thing close was a 4 wheel drive staff car based on a standard sedan.

The GAZ-67 was a further development of the earlier GAZ-64 using lessons learned from experience with the -64 variant. A main improvement was a wider track of 1446 mm. It also had a strengthened chassis frame, enlarged fuel tank and other improvements.

It was powered by a slightly more powerful 54 hp (40 kW) version of GAZ M1 4-cylinder 3280 cc gasoline motor, and had a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph). Production started on 23 September 1943 (the first serial vehicle produced). From January 1944 it was replaced by the GAZ-67B, which had some mechanical improvements.

This is one of Tamiya's very nice 1/48 military vehicles and is in the lowest end of the price range. You are provided a single sprue of OD colored plastic and a clear sprue for the windscreen and light lenses. A small decal sheet is included with license and registration data for three vehicles.

For those so inclined, this kit could easily be constructed in a weekend. One first builds up the chassis by adding the suspension pieces and then the wheels before moving on to the interior. This fits into a floor piece to which the various body parts are installed. The hood section contains the instrument panel and the front grille. Front fenders are separate and attach to this piece.

Flipping things over, the exhaust and engine compartment walls are attached. There is a partial lower engine molded into the frame piece. One then attaches the body to the chassis along with the frame for the canvas roof, spare and some other bits. The windscreen is shown in the upright position, but I'll bet you can model it folded against the hood. A driver figure is included and you need to build it up holding the steering wheel before attaching that the the rest of the vehicle.

Instructions are the vertical road map style that Tamiya uses for these kits and all the options are painted in a dark gree. Tamiya calls for XF-61, but any similar shade will be sufficient.

I like these kits. The scale is a good choice as they don't take up a lot of shelf space. They are well detailed and are a nice break if you have been working on something complex.