ACE 72603 - 1:72 US G506 Class 135 Fire Truck

Plastic model kit of the American Chevrolet G506 Class 135 fire truck in 1:72 scale

ACE 72603 recreates an American fire truck built on the chassis of the 1.5-ton Chevrolet G506 truck. Vehicles of this class (Class 135) served as fire tenders at US air force airfields during the Second World War. It is a subject rarely offered by other manufacturers.

The model comes as a short-run kit, with clear parts representing the windows. Kits of this type offer interesting, niche subjects, but require a little more care in cleaning up and fitting the parts.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts
• Clear parts (windows)
• Decal sheet for several marking options
• Assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 72603
• Manufacturer: ACE
• Assembled length: approx. 6 cm
• Difficulty: intermediate (short-run kit)

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

As a short-run kit, it requires careful clean-up of the parts and dry-fitting before gluing. For the bodywork, the intense red typical of fire vehicles works well, set off by black and metallic details. Apply decals over a gloss coat and finish the model in satin or matt.

Recommended tools:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out the detail

About the vehicle – Chevrolet G506:

The Chevrolet G506 is a series of American 1.5-ton trucks produced by Chevrolet and supplied to the United States Army during and after the Second World War. These vehicles were also delivered to allies under the Lend-Lease programme.

Various utility versions were built on the G506 chassis, including fire trucks (Class 135) used to protect airfields. Vehicles of this type were an integral part of air base equipment during the war.

Specifications of the original (Chevrolet G506):

• Type: 1.5-ton cargo truck (4×4)
• Manufacturer: Chevrolet
• Service period: the Second World War and after
• Version modelled: fire truck (Class 135)
• Use: fire protection of airfields

About the manufacturer – ACE:

ACE is a Ukrainian manufacturer of plastic model kits, specialising in military vehicles, artillery and support equipment, often covering subjects rarely offered by other companies. ACE kits are short-run releases — they bring interesting, niche subjects, but because of the production technology they require a little more care in cleaning up and fitting parts than the kits of large manufacturers. They are aimed above all at modellers who value unusual vehicles.