Military Wheels 1/35
UAZ-469

Background

The Soviet UAZ-469 jeep-type cognate replaced its postwar predecessor, the GAZ-69, in 1972 as a more modern design with what the Soviets also advertised as more “loshchadi” – e.g. more horsepower. It is still in production today in a modified form, so it has been a successful vehicle design. It has also been widely exported, and the version shown here mounts the powerful KPV 14.5mm heavy machine gun (a photo of the prototype is included, although I for one would not like to be in or near the vehicle when the gunner opened fire!)

This kit has been around in various versions and forms for about 10 years now, and this version is now offered out of Military Wheels in Poland. It is relatively honest in the fine print, noting that it is a short-run kit for experienced modelers, which is a good way of saying it will NOT fall together.

This kit shows it has sufficient parts and accuracy to make a respectable model of a UAZ but plan on a lot of work and replacement of details. For example, the headlights are flat and simply stick on the grille. To get them to look right you will have to carefully grind them out and replace the lights with after-market lens (e.g. MV or other brand).

The body proper consists of 9 parts and a separate chassis, which will be alien to anyone who has built a Tamiya jeep or GMC truck. This type of construction usually speaks to alignment and fit problems, so be prepared. At least the Poles have apparently redone the directions, which for a kit of this type are reasonably clear and give the modeler a fighting chance.

Overall this is not bad if you have some good Muj figures or want to create a good Soviet dio with tanks and a commander’s or Komandatura vehicle, but plan on some work.

Sprue layout:

• 19 Clear styrene
• 20 Wheels and backing plates
• 5 Black vinyl tires
• 20 Doors, door liners, seat frames, lower seat pads
• 33 Suspension, bumper, windshield wipers
• 24 Engine, exhaust, engine compartment details
• 22 KPV mounting base and pedestal
• 4 Belly pan, hood, cowl panel, windshield
• 18 Seat backs, grille, interior details
• 6 Fenders, body side moldings
• 8 KPV heavy machine gun
• 1 Chassis