May 23, 2025

Preview: CADs & art & features of MiniArt's new 35th scale G7117 1.5T 4x4 Repair Truck

MiniArt adds colour, art, CADs & features to their new 35th scale G7117 1.5T 4x4 repair truck. We look at the truck and the kit in our preview...

Preview: CADs & art & features of MiniArt's new 35th scale G7117 1.5T 4x4 Repair Truck

G7117 1.5T 4x4 Repair Truck
From MiniArt
Kit No #35494
1/35th scale
Three colour variants are included in this kit
Photo-etch parts are included
The Subject: G7117 1.5T 4x4 Repair 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.

One of these G7117 repair trucks in the field.
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 fit) be moved via the sliding rail back inside the truck for transport or to be worked on under cover if needed.

The tools and equipment used in these trucks during their use in the war.
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.

A repairman is cutting using the oxy cutter from the equipment in the truck in the field.

The new kit from MiniArt:
This 1/35th scale plastic model kit accurately recreates the German G7117 1.5t repair truck, a vital support vehicle for the Allies and used during WWII. The detailed kit features the truck's functional workshop interior with tools and equipment. Photo-etched parts enhance the realistic details, and the included decal sheet offers multiple marking options. The model captures the character of this mobile repair unit, complete with its distinctive cab and cargo bed filled with a workshop full of gear.

Kit features:
The undersides and suspension are 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.

We have some images of the kit's CADs to show you a lot of the features of this forthcoming kit...
- The rear cargo tray can also be posed open.
You have the choice in this kit to use the supplied tarpaulin or the slatted wooden and steel side variant.
- 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 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.
- 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 tools and gear supplied in the kit can be seen here. Labelled for your perusal.

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