Developed in the early 1930s, the GAZ-AA was the most widely used Soviet truck of the Stalinist era. It was developed both to meet national commercial as well as military needs. As the 1930s began, the automotive industry in  the Soviet Union was focused in three factories or "zavods:" ZiS in Moscow, GAZ in Gorkii and JaGAZ in Jaroslavle. Some assembly also was undertaken at the KIM (Communist Youth International) plant in Moscow.

Priority in these plants was not on automobiles - which were viewed as luxury items - but rather on trucks that could be used to help the Soviet Union build domestically and for use by the military services. Soviet officialdom cast about abroad for an example of a suitable truck to build to fill the nation's needs in the 1.5 ton category. It was decided to use the sturdy, simple and reliable U.S. built Ford 1929 Model AA as the prototype for the GAZ- AA.. The first of the new home built trucks rolled off the GAZ plant's assembly line at Gorkii on January 25, 1932.

The GAZ-AA emerged as a 4 wheel vehicle with only the rear axle driven (4x2). It had a load capacity of 1500 kg and total maximum weight of 1810 kg. Its simple, four-cylinder, 42 hp GAZ M-1 gasoline engine enabled it to be operated at 70 kph (@45mph) on improved roads for 215 km before refueling. It carried 19.5 liters of fuel. If the engine was properly warmed up and gasoline was not available, kerosene could be used as an alternative fuel. The GAZ-AA truck was 5335mm long, 2040 mm wide, and 1970 mm high. Its good ground clearance and sturdy suspension was important when operating on the many unimproved roads and off-road in Russia. Its simplicity and durability made it popular when used far from proper maintenance facilities. Simplicity being the hallmark of the vehicle, drivers did not have to be automotive experts to operate it.

Since dedicated military personnel carrier vehicles did not exist in the Red Army at the time the GAZ-AA was in service, the little truck was designed to be fitted with four bench seats running from side to side upon which 16 soldiers could be seated. When not required for seating, the four wooden benches were stowed on the floor of the truck's cargo bed.

When war came to Russia in June, 1941, tens of thousands of GAZ-AA trucks were in service. By the end of the war, more than 151,000 had been manufactured. In addition to hauling cargo and personnel, GAZ-AA truck were modified to carry a 25mm anti-aircraft machine gun, a quadruple Maxim machine gun mount, a winch and towing vehicle for barrage balloons, fueling trucks, and battery-charging stations. The GAZ-55 ambulance bus and GAZ-03-30 blessed-carrier also were widely used.

To overcome some imperfections in the original design, a modified GAZ-AA entered production in 1938 called the GAZ-MM. A six-wheeled GAZ-AAA also was developed with a 4x6 drive train arrangement.

Simple, durable, and reliable -- the GAZ-AA distinguished itself as a primary hauler of troops and vital lighter cargoes through the Second World War. Thousands of them were used on the Lake Ladoga ice road to keep the defenders of St. Petersburg alive for more than 900 days. Many GAZ-AAs served on for years afterwards, rebuilding the war-ravaged Soviet Union.

THE MODEL

The Ukranian firm, Toko, has made a good name for itself in the arena of 1/72nd scale aircraft. Now it has launched itself into the field of 1/35th military vehicles with this fine little kit of the GAZ-AA. Unlike some offerings from the East, this one is a gem of a kit - an easy build with parts that fit together easily. Details are sharp and - as far as I can tell with limited references on the vehicle - quite accurate.

Construction begins with the GAZ M-1 four cylinder engine. This consists of separate fan, fan belt and generator assembly, three-piece engine block with spark plugs molded in place, oil filter, carburetor, distributor and exhaust pipe with muffler.

Moving along to step 3, we find a one-piece chassis to which are cemented the cargo bed rails, tow pintle, braces, rear light assembly, firewall, cab floor and fenders, and steering wheel shaft. The three-piece radiator is assembled next, then it and the engine are glued to the chassis frame. The steering assembly consists of six pieces and the front bumper is a three-piece assembly.

By now we're at step 9 which sees the assembly of the rear drive train and installation of the bumper and front wheel steering assembly. There are five very small knock-out pin marks on the chassis frame that were filled with putty and sanded smooth - the only knock- out pin marks I found on the entire kit!

In Steps 10-17 we assemble the 8-part truck cab and add details. On the interior are separate pedals for gas, brake and clutch, a gear shift, handbrake, and steering wheel with also has an electrical current adjustor switch. Other details include a windshield wiper, separate handles for the outside of the doors, three-piece seats, lights with clear lenses and a horn assembly. This area of the model is really complete and looks nice when done.

Step 18 involves assembly of the cargo bed and here is where I found the only glitch in the kit. The side walls are designed to sit on the cargo bed floor but there are raised reinforcing ridges which run across the entire floor. The outside 2mm of the ridges needed to be trimmed away to get the cargo box's side, front and rear walls to fit properly. The modeler has the option of assembling the cargo bed showing the four wooden bench seats installed or not. As a nice touch, parts representing latches and handles are provided for the cargo bed's side walls so that the walls could be displayed dropped down as would be seen if the 25mm gun or quad Maxim AA guns were in use. While Toko has announced GAZ-AAA and GAZ-MM kits will follow the GAZ-AA, certainly we hope that Toko plans trucks with the Maxim mount and perhaps even an ambulance vehicle and refueling truck. These are quality kits and will find a welcome in the western modeling markets.

The final steps 19-22 take us through assembly and installation of the tires, dual on the rear axle, single on the front axle and one spare. Almost forgot to mention, too, that a plastic canvas cover for the cargo bed is provided which has some nice texturing and even features little window flaps molded on the side. The modeler is pretty much free to build a plain cargo bed, trooper carrier truck or canvas covered rear body.

One paint scheme is described: Black fenders, running boards, tire rims, radiator, headlights, and undersides; with Russian green on the truck cab and cargo body. The canvas cover is to be painted mid-stone. No decals are provided for markings. For winter camouflage, I've found a paste of table salt and plaster of paris works nicely to replicate packed snow on a vehicle while a wash of titanium white oil paint diluted with mineral spirits creates a vehicle finish that looks as if the snow as been beaten into the metal and canvas by harsh Siberian winds. I get cold just looking at it.

I got the model together in a couple of easy evenings and really enjoyed the ease of assembly. I think any fan of Soviet WWII trucks is going to find this kit an absolute must for their collections.

I've got to do a bit of research now and see if the GAZ-AA can be turned into a U.S. Army Ford Model AA without too much trouble. Might make a nice addition to a pre-WWII diorama with other early tanks and vehicles.