AMPS New Zealand. GAZ AA

Eastern Express GAZ AA

By Ian Sadler

The arrival of new kit by Eastern Express altering the old Toko Gaz AA to the Gaz AA MM mid 1941 -42 variation , had me very excited as I had the M Hobby magazine 7/97 in my library. However my enthusiasm was soon dampened when trying to build the cab, using the alternative parts supplied, the new cab sides and roof section and rear panel. A test fit soon showed that the parts did not measure up and in fact were 2 mm too short in height. I placed the parts along side the plans in the magazine and soon I had the solution to the problem. I started by cutting the cab side panels parts 4 and 5 along the bottom of the window frame and the rear panel part 2 this was cut off in the mid section but under the horizontal rib. See the scan of the cut parts. I cleaned up all the edges and after careful study of how best to increase the height, I started by gluing the cab top part 3 to the front windscreen and made sure it was square. This was helped by gluing the two top sections from the modified side windows parts 4and 5 then by adding the top of the rear part to the cab part 2 it allowed everything to be squared off.

After this had set solid over night I added the bonnet section to the front windscreen then I added the remainder of parts 4, 5 and 2, making sure the bottom edges are square to the bottom half of the new lower rear cab part 2 which was glued in place lastly. I was then left with a gap along the bottom edge of the side windows and between the top and lower parts to the rear of the cab. A quick look in the Slater’s pre cut plastic strip folder and I found the required thickness and width. It worked out to be 2 mm by 40 thousands of an inch. I cut these to length and glued them in to fill in the gaps. See the scans to show this in detail “the white parts are the new insertions”. This was then left to harden for overnight. I then filled in the tiny gaps with putty; again it was left to harden over night then everything filed and sanded smooth. I now had the correct profile and height to the cab. I added the radiator and the engine side panels and filled in the recess along the top of the engine panels to make it flush with a piece of Slater’s plastic strip. See note. The last item was to add a new rim to the rear of the cab, as I had removed the original when smoothing down the filler this also came from Slater’s plastic stock rod.

If you study the scan of the completed cab you can see clearly the added parts in white to the side door panels and rear of the cab. The radiator filler cap was added from a punched disc of brass, I happen to have on stock. I have included a scan of the chassis on which I have replaced the kit front mudguards with new ones scratch built from aluminium foil. They give a far better appearance than the over scale thickness ones in the kit. As per the original ones these are made from two pieces to each mudguard.

I have also made new seats as the kit ones are pre war , the later ones are a simple sack of cloth filled with horse hair as padding , these are three layers of plastic card cut and glued to shape for the lower seat and back panel and made to look as if they sag, by carving the plastic, the final touch is when satisfied with the shape I cover them in liquid poly glue and press on an old cotton t shirts for 30 seconds and then lifting it off; it leaves a imprint of the weave and take the plastic look off them.,

Notes … I cannot find any ref photos that show this area to be recessed.

I have found that these trucks were camouflaged in Russian green and sandy khaki in a broad wavy stripe that is just off vertical. As to variations on a theme I have found also the truck was used to mount a 25 mm anti aircraft gun, as a barrage balloon winch vehicle, field workshop PARM 1and 2, refueler tanker, for both Army and Air force, ambulance body and field radio van type, as well as being used as a aux fire engine for the Army, Air force and Navy at bases and training areas.