May 07, 2025

MiniArt ads colour & sprues to their new 35th scale G7117 1.5T 4x4 Wrecker preview.

MiniArt adds colour & sprues to the art, CADs & features of MiniArt's new 35th scale G7117 1.5T 4x4 Wrecker. We look at the truck and the kit in our preview...


Preview: MiniArt colour & sprues add to the art, CADs & features of MiniArt's new 35th scale G7117 1.5T 4x4 Wrecker

G7117 1.5T 4x4 Wrecker
From MiniArt
Kit No #35490
1/35th scale
Three colour variants are included in this kit
Photo-etch parts are included
The Subject: G7117 1.5T 4x4 wrecking truck
The Chevrolet 1.5-tonne 4x4 Cargo Truck (G7107) was part of the G506 series of 1.5-tonne closed-cab trucks built by Chevrolet in large numbers during World War II. The G7107 is the basic cargo truck of the G506 series, with a standard 9-foot bed. The G7107 series of trucks were produced with cargo beds made of both wood and metal.

A good view of the rear of the wrecker, with that frame protruding from the canvas. This held the 1.5t pulley that was able to lift and to drag things. Engineering tools were stored inside & on the outside of the vehicle to assist the soldiers.
A close-up of the winch on the truck that signifies it as a G7117 variant of the truck.
These trucks had a winch on the front bumper, which was one of the identifying points of the G7117 trucks. The wrecker variant also had a 1.5-tonne winch on a sliding rail that protruded out of the rear of the truck. Whatever was picked up could (as long as it fitted) be moved via the sliding rail back inside the truck for transport or to be worked on under cover if needed.

One of the subjects from this boxing is seen in operations in New Caledonia in 1942, pulling a Jeep for recovery.
A serviceman standing at the back of a wrecker from the 28th Infantry Division's motor pool. You can see the engineering tools, like the compressor and other gear, in the rear of the bed (but not in the kit, mind you). This is another truck taken from this boxing.

The new kit from MiniArt:
We have some images of the kit's CADs to show you a lot of the features of this forthcoming kit...

Kit features:
- The truck adds the front-mounted PTO winch to differentiate it from the G7107 kit. The rear pulley & rails, plus engineering tools, are included.
- The truck comes with metal sides and wooden slats or railings.
- The front grille for the front is made from photo-etch or from plastic; this is a choice for the modeller. There is also a choice for both of these in the rear bumper.
The cargo tray can be covered with either this custom-made tarpaulin for the kit or it can be left bare, with the ribbing of the truck and wooden sideboards. Your choice.
You can see some of the tools for the kit on the sides of the truck.
- The full chassis, engine, running gear, suspension and linkages for the truck are included
- A spare wheel is included. The full engine bay is provided in this boxing.
- Passenger doors, the hood, and the tailgate can be posed open or closed. Also, the bonnet (hood) is, of course, able to be opened to show off that lovely engine compartment. The steel wire mesh is provided in these photo-etched parts, as are the battery brackets. 
- The rear cargo door can also be posed open.
A close-up of the pulley, with the chain included in the kit, that slides on the rail on the rear bed of the truck.

The sprues:
The parts of the kit are shown on the sprue maps below with some of the features noted...

the undersides and suspension is included in full.
The full engine is included in some detail. All you would need are some wiring harnesses.
- Two long parts make the base of the chassis with cross bracing. All of the truck's underside is included.
The front drum & winch is included with this model
Doors can be posed open or closed.
Cab controls & door handles are, of course, included.
- The cab comes in several curved parts that join at seams to make construction easier. The roof itself is a single part.
- MiniArt supplies photo-etch alternatives and plastic parts for the front bullbars. They give you a tool to bend the front metal in the correct manner
- The wheels are a simple two-part construction with no scarring on the tread & defined writing on the wheel walls.
- The side bracket for the truck's tools is included with photo-etched details.
The tarpaulins supplied with MiniArt's kits take some work but give a great finished look.
- Scale-thickness photo-etched parts are used for tie-downs on the tray. The single decal sheet is included.
- Clear parts for the windows and lights are, of course, included.
There are six US wreckers from different theatres to make the colours of this boxing - shown below.

This kit is due next month. See more about all of MiniArt's kits on their website...

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