SOVIET AND RUSSIAN SCALE
MODELS
Dear friends!
I want to tell you about Russian scale models
of the Soviet automobiles
produced since a 1912. First, serial models; in
general they are issued
by the factory i.e. "Radon" in Marks
and "Tantal" in Saratov. There are
many different models. For example, "Moscvich" has an
operating bonnet
detailing only the engine and "Volga"
details the engine, gimbals,
accumulator, windscreen wipers and lighting. Model
cars of the high
government officials, ZIL 115 and ZIL 117, are
very elegant. The "Kamaz" by
Kazan issues perfect models of great
accuracy. For example, even the
wheel sprockets turn. The Leningrad firefighter
model, based off 1937 ZIS
is als very detailed. I can say with confidence
that soviet car models
are the best in the world. This is due to
models being developed and
produced in military facories responsible for
radio components. However,
now that public contracts on military
production are gone, many of the
workers are building models to sell as income
in Moscow.
As for hand made models, they are produced in
Moscow, Herson,
Ekaterinburg and Kiev, but all eventually end
up in Moscow. The quality of these
models can vary. Many collectors in Moscow prefer models without
opening doors or bonnets due to the risk of
damaging paint. It is also
possible to order very complex models with as
many as 300 details. It is
mainly the models of lorries. It is also
possible to order both a set of
details or a complete model, some which you may
see in a catalog..
I hope this information has been interesting
and helps you to assemble
a beautiful collection. Good luck!
Vadim Diatlenko