ICM 1/72 ZiL-131 AFU with DShKM (72821)

Today's article will show you new ICM 1/72 ZiL-131 AFU with DShKM (72821). As you can guess, new release continues the series of small scale trucks from the famous brand. I reviewed the previous version, so it will be interesting to see what is new in today's one. Well, the main difference is visible on the boxart - machinegun in the rear side of the truck. Overall packaging is typical for this brand, so all frames come in one plastic bag. There are 100 parts which should assemble into a model with 98mm length. Let's open them all and take a closer look together.

By the way, here you can read review with a slightly different version of the same truck.
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Watch this video where I show all parts even closer.

We can start with the new parts straightaway. Here you can see machinegun on its separate frame. Such design should be easy to paint and install on the truck.

Main chassis is molded as one-piece element, so you don't have to worry about the issues with alignment. Here you can also see leaf springs suspension and gearbox cover.

Fuel tanks should be glued out of two halves each. Surface details look okay for this scale, but be careful with the thin parts.

Rear section should be glued out of separate panels. Note that there is no wooden texture on those, and you can replicate such a thing with painting techniques.

ICM included plastic wheels in the kit, and that should be a great thing to work with.

Front cab is molded as one-piece element, all doors and bonnet are molded shut. Overall quality looks fine for this scale.

Interior will be relatively simple, but don't forget that it will be barely visible on the finished build.

Clear parts are packed into separate plastic bag. There are no masks for those, so be ready to cut out small stickers.

Decals sheet is not that big, but here you will find whole set of digital camouflage. Such design should be easier to apply, and you will save a bit of time. Both options can be seen on the photo below.

Assembly manual is typical for this brand. You can check all pages in the video-review.

New ZiL should be already available for purchase. In my opinion it is an interesting choice for solo project and diorama. Overall quality looks fine straight out of the box, so you just need to get everything together and paint it. I like that digital camouflage is copied with help of decals, as such design will save a bit of time. The only question is when ICM will also release some figurines in the same scale. :)

Get this and other kits in Modelimex webshop.