Vehicles for 28mm miniatures.

[Legion1963]

This subject has most likely made numerous appearences in this forum. For my Vietnam/SOG-project i need some trucks to cruise down the HCMT and get blown up by the american commandoes from SOG. What is the most suitable scale to use with the 28mm miniatures from The Assault Group. Also, i am on a budget and it doesn't have to be 100% historically accurate. Any advice is much appreciated.

[Vonkluge]

Well I dont know how far you are into the project but if you are not to far perhaps switching to 20mm would help the budget? There is a ton of inexpensive 1/76, 1/72, and 20mm stuff for Vietnam. Its the scale I went with as the figures and vehiles are as good as the 28mm stuff and bigger battles in a smaller space.

Bill

[carlos marighela]

Look at Studebakers from Bolt Action, Westwind etc. Ok they aren't especially accurate but they at least look a bit like some of the earlier Gaz types used by the Vietnamese and nobody makes those anyway. Another possible option, again not 100% accurate would be the diecast Lledo/ Matchbox Ford AA, the Russian made copies of these during the Second World War. They are cheap and they fit well with most 28mm figures. There's also a rather nice Bedford flatbed out there as well that might stand duty at a pinch.

[traveller]

If WW2 US trucks are acceptable then Solido diecast GMC trucks are a good alternative. Can usually be picked up at ebay or maybe here:

http://www.uniquecollections.co.uk/showitem.asp?model=31261&Solido%20/%20Tekno/Schuco%206047

[Daeothar]

If you're looking for a GAZ truck, the older models are basically the same as Fords of the same era, as they were licenced to build certain Ford models.

Here's a picture of one of mine, which I bought for my pulp collection as a generic truck (I actually bought two). They can function as Fords and GAZs, depending on the game's location. These are 1/43 models, but they scale really well with 28mm miniatures, as you can see:




I got them on Ebay, form some Ukrainian seller, like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-43-Russian-truck-GAZ-AA-mag-75-car-USSR-/160944487403?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item257909fbeb

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-1-43-Russian-truck-GAZ-AA-Nash-Avtoprom-haki-/150957204463?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item2325c023ef

I actually got mine for about half these prices, because they had been discounted, so with a bit of looking around, you might score one of these for as little as GBP 5,-. Plus P&P of course, which I why I went with multiple; to get discounts on shipping.

The same line also has more modern (think sixties) vehicles, which might be more interesting for your project:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-1-43-Russian-jeep-GAZ-67B-mag-30-car-USSR-/150957204465?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item2325c023f1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARO-M461-IXO-IST-Models-Scale-1-43-VERY-RARE-not-GAZ-69-/160940496405?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item2578cd1615

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-1-43-AIST-Russian-truck-ZIL-157K-green-/150970636660?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item23268d1974

[FATROC]

In 1/48 scale, UM makes a GAZ-MM, a GAZ-AAA, a PMG-1 Fire truck, and a BZ-42 Fueler. I haven't built any of these kits, so I can't tell you what the quality is.

[carlos marighela]

All of which are pretty dated for the Vietnam War. A Gaz-63 is what you really want but I doubt anyone makes one in a useable scale.

[Daeothar]

A GAZ 63 is virtually identical to a GAZ 51 though.

And both can be found on Ebay as 1/43 diecasts. But for silly, silly prices...

[Arlequín]

I'd just use WW2 GMC or Studebaker trucks, with the distinctive headlight and radiator grills removed... they look surprisingly like their Soviet and Chinese counterparts. Where to get them is another matter.

[carlos marighela]

Not Westwind, I should have said Black Tree Design.

http://www.blacktreedesign.com/restofworld/home.php

[carlos marighela]

vs the actual article the GAZ 63

[Legion1963]

Well I dont know how far you are into the project but if you are not to far perhaps switching to 20mm would help the budget? There is a ton of inexpensive 1/76, 1/72, and 20mm stuff for Vietnam. Its the scale I went with as the figures and vehiles are as good as the 28mm stuff and bigger battles in a smaller space.

Bill

Bill, thanks for the advice but switching scale is out of the question. I really like the 28mm scale and as a mediocre painter it gives me the opportunity to get some results that are agreeable. Besides i am not into big battles but smal skirmisch.

[Legion1963]

Look at Studebakers from Bolt Action, Westwind etc. Ok they aren't especially accurate but they at least look a bit like some of the earlier Gaz types used by the Vietnamese and nobody makes those anyway. Another possible option, again not 100% accurate would be the diecast Lledo/ Matchbox Ford AA, the Russian made copies of these during the Second World War. They are cheap and they fit well with most 28mm figures. There's also a rather nice Bedford flatbed out there as well that might stand duty at a pinch.

Carlos, thanks for the info. I will look into the Bolt Action and West Wind options as these are available here in Holland and do not cost the world.

[Legion1963]

If WW2 US trucks are acceptable then Solido diecast GMC trucks are a good alternative. Can usually be picked up at ebay or maybe here:

http://www.uniquecollections.co.uk/showitem.asp?model=31261&Solido%20/%20Tekno/Schuco%206047

Traveller, have not heard of Solido but i will look into it. Thanks.

[Legion1963]

If you're looking for a GAZ truck, the older models are basically the same as Fords of the same era, as they were licenced to build certain Ford models.

Here's a picture of one of mine, which I bought for my pulp collection as a generic truck (I actually bought two). They can function as Fords and GAZs, depending on the game's location. These are 1/43 models, but they scale really well with 28mm miniatures, as you can see:




I got them on Ebay, form some Ukrainian seller, like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-43-Russian-truck-GAZ-AA-mag-75-car-USSR-/160944487403?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item257909fbeb

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-1-43-Russian-truck-GAZ-AA-Nash-Avtoprom-haki-/150957204463?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item2325c023ef

I actually got mine for about half these prices, because they had been discounted, so with a bit of looking around, you might score one of these for as little as GBP 5,-. Plus P&P of course, which I why I went with multiple; to get discounts on shipping.

The same line also has more modern (think sixties) vehicles, which might be more interesting for your project:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-1-43-Russian-jeep-GAZ-67B-mag-30-car-USSR-/150957204465?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item2325c023f1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARO-M461-IXO-IST-Models-Scale-1-43-VERY-RARE-not-GAZ-69-/160940496405?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item2578cd1615

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-1-43-AIST-Russian-truck-ZIL-157K-green-/150970636660?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item23268d1974

Hello Daethor, these look really nice with the miniatures beside. Thanks for the links.