May 13, 2025

Preview: AK Interactive's M1008 1984 Chevrolet CUCV in 35th scale

AK Interactive has expanded the niche of commercial and utilitarian vehicles in military service with these two new-tooled kits of the M1008 CUCV in 35th scale. We have CADs, decals, & original trucks from the two boxings in our preview...

Preview: AK Interactive's M1008 1984 Chevrolet CUCV in 35th scale

The Subject: M1008 1984 Chevrolet CUCV (Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle)
The Chevrolet Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle series replaced the Dodge M880 series from 1984. Like the M880, the trucks began with off-the-shelf civilian four-wheel-drive vehicles, which then had some military components added. The militarization of the Chevrolets was fortunately a little more extensive than it had been with the M880 series.

The photos of the M1008s in this article are selected from images used in the marking choices in these two boxings...
The M1008 was the base vehicle of the CUCV series. It was essentially a diesel-powered version of Chevrolet's civilian truck line utilising the frame and suspension of the Chevrolet K3500. At the rear of the truck was a standard step bumper with a pintle hook mounted in the centre.
The cargo bed differed little from the civilian model. The military model did come with a lightweight folding cargo cover and removable troop seats, and several variations of tarps and hard boxes were used to cart freight or covered cargo and troops.
These vehicles could easily be lifted and air cargo transported, making them a ubiquitous sight anywhere the US military was in the world.
Modifications included the addition of a brush guard and towing shackles on the front bumper and a dual 12- and 28-volt 100-amp charging system. Maintenance was easy for these vehicles, and parts were easy to source.
The powerplant was GM’s 6.2-litre diesel coupled to a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. Most models used the New Process NP208 two-speed, chain-driven transfer case. All models have non-slip Detroit 4.56 rear differentials. The front axle had lockout hubs.

M1008 Troop Carrier
From AK Interactive
1/35th Scale
Sku: AK35033
Over 150 plastic parts
Masks for transparencies included
Printed, card MRE boxes included
Decals for five painting/marking options printed by Cartograf.
Posable doors, cabin & interior included
Photo-etch parts included
The Kit:
A new-tooled kit from AK Interactive. This utility vehicle is the troop-carrying version, with an open rear cargo bed. The option for seating and high sides is offered in this kit. Masks for transparencies are included, as well as printed card MRE boxes and decals for five painting/marking options printed by Cartograf, with posable doors and cabin & interior included, with thinner photo-etch parts included for scale correctness.

Those of you familiar with the kit will recognise some of the Chevy's features straight away.
The rear troop-carrying seats and side rails can be included or left off in this kit. The tailgate can be posed open or closed also.
The front wheels can be posed turned or straight ahead, depending on your needs.
The sprue layout shows us a few things about the kit pretty quickly. The simple construction, full suspension and passenger cabin is fully featured. It looks like there is a full suspension, but no engine is included in the kit.
Some cardboard/paper MRE boxes in 1/35th scale are included in this kit for ready-made cargo options.
A decal sheet for the five marking choices, printed by Cartograf is included.
The five colour schemes from the kit are taken directly from the instructions.



M1008 Troop Carrier
From AK Interactive
1/35th Scale
Sku: AK35033
Over 130 plastic parts
Masks for transparencies included
Printed, card MRE boxes included
Decals for five painting/marking options printed by Cartograf.
Posable doors, cab & interior included
Front wheels are posable also
Photo-etch parts included
The Kit:
Smartly, we look to be getting more than one type of the M1008 utility, and this one from AK Interactive is a simple adjustment. The main change to this kit is the addition of a tarpaulin cover for the cargo bed at the rear. 
The kit has over 130 plastic parts and includes masks for transparencies, the cargo of printed card MRE boxes, and markings including decals for five painting/marking options printed by Cartograf. The doors, front wheels and rear tray is posable, and photo-etch parts are included for the thinner parts of the truck.
All of the doors, the boot, and the engine hatch can be posed open or closed.
The 6 colour schemes, along with stencil data and internal dash control markings are depicted on this sheet of decals printed by Cartograf.
The sprue map is very much the same as the sister kit without the cargo canopy. Blue parts hint at more releases in this family. I think it's a certainty!
The six (6!) colour schemes for this variant are pretty diverse in colours and theatres of operations.

These kits will be available soon from the AK Interactive website.
You can see more about these products on the links supplied and more of them on the AK Interactive Website