Academy 15141 - 1:24 T600 3 Wheeled Mini Truck

Plastic model kit of the Kia T-600 three-wheeled delivery truck in 1:24 scale

Academy 15141 is a model kit for self-assembly representing the Kia T-600 — a three-wheeled delivery vehicle built in South Korea at the turn of the 1970s. The kit comes from tooling created in 2021 and belongs to a series devoted to Korean retro vehicles.

The model captures a shape quite unlike anything on today's roads: a single front wheel, a narrow driver's cab and an open cargo bed. In 1:24 it makes a compact model with a strong historical character, working well on its own or as part of a period street scene. The decal sheet carries Kia Master markings, the name under which the vehicle was sold.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Decal sheet with Kia Master markings
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:24
• Catalogue number: 15141
• Manufacturer: Academy
• Assembled length: approx. 137 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

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

Building the model:

The simple design of the vehicle and the modest number of sub-assemblies make this an approachable build, also for those just starting with car models. The front end with its single wheel and the driver's cab call for the most attention — it is worth cleaning up the gate marks carefully and test-fitting the parts dry before gluing, because on a body this small every irregularity shows.

We suggest painting the cab interior and the cargo bed before they are closed up, as access becomes limited afterwards. Priming the body before applying the chosen colour is a good idea, and we recommend applying the decals over a gloss coat to limit decal silvering. Commercial vehicles are usually finished with a satin or matt varnish, depending on whether the model is meant to show a well-kept truck or one worn by daily work. A light brown wash and pigments help reproduce the dust and grime typical of a working vehicle.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Primer for the body
• A wash to emphasise details
• Optional: pigments for dust and grime effects

About the vehicle – Kia T-600:

The Kia T-600, sold as the Kia Master, is a three-wheeled delivery vehicle built in South Korea between 1969 and 1974. The design was produced under licence from Mazda and developed from the Japanese K360 and T600 models — hence the name adopted for the Korean vehicle. It is worth stressing that this is a Kia, not a Mazda.

Power came from an air-cooled two-cylinder OHV engine of 577 cc producing 20 hp at 4,300 rpm, driving through a gearbox with three forward speeds and reverse. With a 500 kg payload and a top speed of 75 km/h, the T-600 was a cheap, simple means of transport, well suited to the narrow streets and markets of Korea at the time. The body measured 3,295 mm long.

Over six years of production 7,742 examples were built. The T-600 is one of the first vehicles in Kia's history and an important stage in the development of the Korean motor industry. In 2008 it was added to the Korean register of industrial heritage as item no. 400; only a handful of examples survive today.

Specifications of the original (Kia T-600):

• Length: 3,295 mm
• Engine: air-cooled two-cylinder OHV, 577 cc
• Power: 20 hp at 4,300 rpm
• Gearbox: 3 forward speeds plus reverse
• Payload: 500 kg
• Maximum speed: 75 km/h
• Wheel arrangement: three wheels, single front wheel
• Production: 1969-1974, 7,742 examples in total
• Added to the Korean register of industrial heritage (no. 400) in 2008

About the manufacturer – Academy:

Academy is a Korean plastic model manufacturer active since 1969 and one of the most recognisable modelling brands in Asia. The company built its position on a broad catalogue covering aircraft, military vehicles, ships, cars and figure kits in the popular scales. Academy kits are valued for approachable assembly and a sensible breakdown of parts, which makes them suitable for beginners and experienced modellers alike. The brand also develops technologies that simplify building — snap-fit kits and multi-colour injection (MCP) sprues that allow a model to be built without painting. A separate and important part of the catalogue is contemporary equipment of the Republic of Korea armed forces: tanks, self-propelled howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles and armoured carriers, often unavailable from other manufacturers. In recent years Academy has consistently released models from completely new tooling, supplemented with photo-etched parts and other components that raise the level of detail. The brand's products are available worldwide and remain a steady point of reference in the segment of kits offering a good balance of quality and complexity.