GAZ-AAA Mod. 1940. Cargo Truck

Plastic model kit to build a Soviet 1940 GAZ-AAA truck

• 1:35 scale
• 434 parts
• including 2 figures
• Clear and photo-etched parts included
• 4 marking options
• not built, not painted
• Paint and glue not included

The GAZ-AAA was one of the Red Army's most important trucks in the years leading up to and during World War II. Produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) starting in 1934, it was a three-axle evolution of the two-axle GAZ-AA, which was itself based on the American Ford AA. The addition of a second rear axle gave the GAZ-AAA a higher payload capacity and superior off-road capability, making it particularly attractive for military applications.

The truck was powered by a water-cooled, four-cylinder gasoline engine producing approximately 50 hp. It had a payload capacity of about two tons and a top speed of around 65 km/h on paved roads. Rugged and simple in design, the truck was easy to maintain and capable of operating under harsh conditions—factors of great importance to the Soviet Army.

The GAZ-AAA served as a versatile transport vehicle for troops, ammunition, fuel, and supplies. Furthermore, its chassis formed the basis for numerous specialized vehicles, including radio trucks, mobile workshops, fuel tankers (such as the BZ-38), mobile anti-aircraft vehicles, and various rocket launchers. The GAZ-AAA became particularly well-known as the carrier for early versions of the Soviet BM-13 Katyusha multiple rocket launcher, prior to the adoption of more modern chassis.

At the time of the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, the GAZ-AAA was one of the Red Army's most widely used military trucks. It saw service on all fronts and played a vital role in troop logistics. Production continued until 1943, when raw material shortages and the exigencies of war necessitated a shift to other vehicle types.