1:72 Fuel Truck BZ-35S

The BZ-35S airfield tanker truck in 1:72 scale from PST

A plastic kit of the Soviet BZ-35 airfield refueling truck in the BZ-35S version, in 1:72 scale. Vehicles of this type carried and pumped aviation gasoline on the field airstrips of the Red Army. Which chassis the BZ-35S version was built on is not stated here; the basic BZ-35 was built on the three-axle ZiS-6 chassis, and the type of truck used for this version can be checked on the box.

The real subject

The model 1935 gasoline tanker was the main means of issuing aviation gasoline in the Soviet Air Force. The tank of the basic type held 3200 liters and the delivery pump handled around 400 liters per minute, so one vehicle could serve a whole squadron. The equipment included a trailing metal chain that led static electricity into the ground, because when gasoline is being pumped a single spark is deadly dangerous. During the war the tanker bodies were also mounted on chassis delivered by the Allies, because domestic production of three-axle trucks could not cover the demand.

Building and painting tips

Cut the small parts of the frame, the pump and the hoses off with a scalpel and glue them with liquid cement for plastic. It is practical to paint the cab and the tank separately and to join them only once they are dry. Soviet airfield equipment wore a uniform dark green finish; a dusty underside, wheels spattered with mud and a slightly faded top surface of the tank will add to the realism. The trailing chain can be replaced with thin wire.

Who the model is for

• Modelers of Soviet airfield and support equipment
• Adding to an airfield diorama with aircraft models in 1:72
• Collectors of Red Army trucks
• Modelers with experience of small parts

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.