GMC CCKW-353 Truck Tank

Hasegawa 1:72 Scale Vehicle Review

GMC CCKW-353 Truck, 2½ ton, 6×6, Tank w/Winch, 1:72 Model Kit Hasegawa MT21.

The Hasegawa kit represents a fuel tanker conversion of the GMC CCKW-353 cargo truck, fitted with two 375 gallon fuel tanks. Separate tanks allowed the vehicle to carry gasoline and diesel, or gasoline of different octane. In the European theater of operations, fuel tankers were often camouflaged as regular cargo trucks by placing canvas covers over the cargo body. The vehicle may be modified by cutting the winch off, and mounting the front bumper closer to the radiator grille.

Contents

  • GMC CCKW-353 Truck, 2½ ton, 6×6, Tank w/Winch
  • US Army Decal Sheet
  • Truck Driver
  • Two Ground Crew

Evaluation

Scale model with good detail. Vehicle length and wheelbase are scaled correctly, but the cargo body is 1 mm wider than it should be.

Easy to assemble, only 59 parts. The cargo truck can be put together in approximately 30 minutes, especially if several vehicles are built in assembly line fashion.

The canvas cab cover is realistically textured and creased.

The assembly instructions are clearly illustrated, and easy to follow.

The chassis is slightly warped, giving the vehicle a noticeable hump behind the cab. The damage may be corrected by heating the chassis carefully with a blow-dryer, and bending it into the correct shape.

The metal axles are too long, they need to be cut back slightly to ensure proper wheel alignment.

Rivet heads on the body are larger than scale.

The tow hooks on the front bumper are slightly oversized.

The rear mud flaps have been omitted. It is unlikely that the vehicle operated without them, especially if it was used in the field.

The assembly instructions mention that canvas covers were often used to disquise the valuable fuel tankers, but none is included in the kit.

Flash inside the door cut-outs needs to be removed prior to painting.

The painting instructions are correct for an army fuel tanker, but proper airfield vehicles would be painted yellow.

Fuel tankers normally carry hazard warning labels, but none are included in the kit.

The Hasegawa model is a good choice for wargamers who need easy to assemble and robust fuel tankers for their army. Aircraft modellers will find the tanker very useful for a diorama. The vehicle could do with a little additional detailing work, adding rearview mirrors, windshield wipers, hoses, nozzles, and other small parts which are not included in the kit.

Truck, 2½ ton, 6×6, Tank, GMC CCKW-353