1:72 Soviet ZiS-5V wheel set

The real subject

The ZiS-5 was a Soviet truck with a payload of around three tons and belonged to the most widespread vehicles of the Red Army. The ZiS-5V rendition was a wartime simplification intended for fast production: the cab was built of wood and plywood, the fenders were flat and bent from sheet metal instead of shaped pressings, and the vehicle was delivered with a single headlight only. The vehicles carried cargo, towed guns and served as a chassis for bodies, so they appear in dioramas from supply columns to artillery positions.

What the set contains

This is a set of wheels replacing the parts from the kit. On a truck the wheels are a conspicuous element, because the rear axle has dual wheels on each side and the tread pattern is clearly visible from the side. The exact number of pieces, the contents of the box and the recommended seating are described by the maker's instructions.

Building and painting tips

First lay the wheels on dry and compare the diameter of the seating with the hubs of the kit. Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the surface down. Choose the type of glue according to the material of the parts. Before painting, wash and degrease the parts. It pays to spray the tire and the rim separately and to glue them together only afterwards; a dry pigment rubbed into the tread pattern will then give the wheels a dusty look.

Who it is for

The set suits builders in a small scale who are bothered by the seam left after a glued tire or by a simplified tread pattern on the parts from the kit. The box contains the wheels; the kit of the vehicle, paints and glue are not part of it unless stated otherwise.