Back in January we ran a news story on MiniArt working on a Ya-12 SOVIET ARTILLERY TRACTOR in 1/35th scale. Inside you will find an image heavy update on this vehicle.

The Ya-12 SOVIET ARTILLERY TRACTOR from MiniArt is now listed as Early Production which indicates to me that at least one more variant of the tractor is in the works and maybe more. The details for this kit are impressive with it having a detailed multi-part engine, working tracks and suspension. Here are the details from MiniArt;

Box contains model of artillery tractor and two figures.
YA-12 – light artillery tractor, which were developed by NATI designers and launched at the Yaroslavskiy Avtomobilniy Zavod YaAZ – Yaroslav Automobile Plant.

Firstly was developed YA-11 tractor but Gorkovskiy Avtomobilniy Zavod GAZ – Gorky Automobile Plant could not produced the required quantity of engines for the YA-11 and production had to be stopped.

In 1943 Soviet Union had received large quantities of the U.S. made GMC-4-71 4-cylinder 2-stroke 110hp engine under Lend Lease Contract. The availability of these engines allowed for a renewed production of YA-11 design under the new designation YA-12.
The serial production of YA-12 started in August of 1943 and till the end of 1943 were produced 285 tractors, till the end of war - 1666. In 1945 Red Army had in the inventory 1270 YA-12 tractors.

YA-12 tractors were used for tugging of such guns as 100-mm field guns BS-3, 122-mm corps guns A-19, 122-mm howitzers M-30, 152-mm howitzers ML-20 and 203-mm heavy howitzers B-4.

YA-12 artillery tractors were in service of Soviet Army and Czechoslovak Army till the middle of 50’s years.

Highly detailed model
• All New Tooling. Up-to-date technology using sliding moulds.
• Fully-detailed engine compartment and chassis.
• Workable tracks.
• Workable chassis.
• Authentic wooden texture.
• 458 parts.
• 37 PE parts.
• Decals included.
• Full-color instruction.