Hello all,
I picked up an ancient kit from an internet seller and low and behold the box held two full kits. Alas, the two kits were from Fort from back in the early 90s. I think they are now Eastern Express molds if they are still kitting them. I believe Miniart, Zvezda, and Hobby Boss make some version or another but I could stand to be corrected on that.
The two I put together went together surprisingly easy with only small fit issues here and there. I'm not going to comment on scale thickness or anything of that sort; you can probably figure out what that was like! Some of the detail was not there or just a poor representation (shocking, I know) of the real thing. The kits didn't come with an engine, just the lower half as a one piece add on to the undercarriage, not really up to today's standards but at least it sorta looks the part. From the photos I dug up on the web the kits look fairly accurate and scale out within 1 inch for wheelbase, width, and length.
I did add a few extras that made them a bit more unique so I sculpted a couple of mattresses to throw over the hood to fight off that Russian cold. I was having so much fun with the Green Stuff putty I also added worn seats which I thought was a vast improvement over what the kit provided; essentially just a plastic box.
Any comments or things I might correct always welcome.

Cheers,
Rick

Looks very nice. I would probably add a strap or rope to the mattress (great add on) and if possible replace the windows with clear plastic sheet.

These are really well done! Over the years, I've also picked up a couple Fort kits via e-bay. While they do lack some details and sometimes are a bit difficult, your examples once again show that lesser rated kits can still make winners with patience & imagination. Nice work on the unique detailing!

Your 1/35 Zis trucks are as rustic as the 1/1 ones Nice work !

H.P.

Thanks for the comments Ryan, Jack, and Frenchy!

Ryan, Thanks for the tip on the rope; I have to chalk up no rope into the "dumb me" category! That would look very cool with the Green Stuff being able to get those nice rope impressions. I'll have to remember that the next time I get out some of the putty to replace those. Working on a Meng Jagdpanther G1 at the moment so it will have to wait a bit. Ok, truthfully I'm working on a set of tracks for a Jagdpanther, the TD is just a bonus add on to the track tedium.

Jack, If you have a few of the old 'Forts' hanging around I would build them. If nothing else it gives you a chance to go wild with weathering or paint schemes. If it doesn't go off as planned at least it isn't a project that requires deep time investment.

Frenchy, those old wooden cabs reminds me of a Van Morrison tune, "Into the Rustic", or something like that

Cheers,
Rick