This model added to kgwings.com on October 9, 2013
The PARM-1 Field Aircraft Repair Workshop was used for swift field repairs of all types of Soviet aircraft during the Great Patriotic War (WWII).
The PARM-1 had equipment for gas and electrical welding, a lathe, a drill press, workbench, tools and spare aircraft parts.
This PARM-1 is built on the ZIS-5 (Russian: ЗиС-5) 4x2 Soviet truck produced by Moscow ZIS since October 1933. PARM vehicles were also built on licensed Ford Model A trucks produced by GAZ.
A typical PARM crew consisted of 7 to 9 men: a commander-driver, a mechanic, an electrician, a welder, a painter, a turner and a locksmith.
A fighter squadron typically was assigned 2 to 4 PARM-1. Approximately 700 PARM-1 were built. Large amounts of these vehicles were custom built in the field so huge variation existed.
With a bit of TLC this PST kit (originally molded by AER Moldova) builds up nicely and represents an early production PARM very well.
I used clear acetate to make windows. The fire extinguisher came from a ZIL kit. The cabover supports were made with scrap styrene. The headlights were painted silver and filled with 3 minute clear epoxy.
The front bumper was trimmed away and the front of the frame trimmed to correct shape with cross support added. In hindsight I would have added detail to the front axle/steering assembly.
I started with a base coat of Tamiya acrylic NATO Green then lightened for a modulation effect. Pin wash and dust was created using AK interactive products.
Here is my PARM on the workbench before I decided to remove the front bumper (due to metal shortages during the war the front bumper was rarely installed). You can see the small bit of filler used around the hood.
I'm very pleased with how the kit built up and happy to have it in my collection. It looks great next to my Polikarpov I-16 and makes me want to get to work on my iL-2 Shturmovik.
Kit:PST #72023
Scale: 1/72
Value:
This kit has been produced by AER Moldova, PST, Eastern Express, Toga and others so although it is out of production it can be found for around $15.00 (US) or less which is a reasonable price in today's small scale market.
The Kit:
The kit is comprised of approximately 48 parts molded in light gray and a two-sided instruction sheet. No decals or transparent window pieces were provided.
Parts have fairly crisp details and are nearly flash free.
Wheels and tires are separate parts and the inside opening of the tires has to be sanded for the wheels to fit. The rear wheel rims are overly thick so I carefully trimmed with an X-acto to improve their appearance. The tire tread pattern is not exactly right but adequate. Cab interior consists of a steering wheel and seat only so there is plenty of room for custom detailing. The undercarriage is very simplified but fortunately doesn't show much after assembly. I used a driveshaft from another kit as a small upgrade.
All doors and engine hood are molded closed but the cab doors can easily be cut open.
Decals: None.
After Market Parts Used: None
Customizations:
I used clear acetate for window glass, fire extinguisher and shovel were borrowed from other kits. Headlights were created with silver paint and 3 minute epoxy.
Recommendation:
Some of the details on this kit are very simplified, for instance the undercarriage, but overall it's a pretty good kit. With just few small modifications it matches up well to photographs and drawings of early production PARM vehicles based on the ZIS-5. It's fairly easy to assemble with no really trouble spots. Recommended for any small scale truck enthusiast.
Special Thanks:
This kit was a gift from Shawn Lynch of Grapevine Texas. THANKS Shawn!
