Tank Workshop
MAZ-537G w/Semi-trailer Wheels
Tank Workshop 1:35 Set #STZ 035
Review by Terry Ashley

TrumpeterTrumpeter
The Set:
Tank Workshop have released this set of resin replacement wheels for the MAZ-537G Tractor and MAZ/ChMZAP-524G trailer designed specifically for the two Trumpeter kits of the MAZ-537G Intermediate type (kit #00211) and MAZ-537G Late Production type (kit #00212).

The set reviewed here is the full set with 9 large tractor wheels (8 main wheels and 1 spare) and 9 smaller trailer wheels (8 trailer wheels and 1 spare) and there are also individual sets available with just the tractor wheels (set #STZ 036) or just the trailer wheels (set #STZ 037) should you want either set separately.

This set consists of the 18 wheels cast in a light gray resin to a high standard with clean crisp details and just a small casting block and a little residue either side of the pour point to be removed. There is also a bit of mould overlap either side of the pour point but due to the deep tread pattern this can be trimmed without loss of any detail, there was just one solitary small air hole on one of the hubs but this was the only blemish of this type on all the wheels. The casting scar can be positioned at the ground contact to hide any blemishes remaining.

8 Tractor Wheels and 1 spare
Tank Workshop
8 Trailer wheels and 1 spare
Tank Workshop

Most importantly the main tractor wheels are not straight resin reproductions of the Trumpeter kit wheels as we see all to often in resin wheel sets these days, (those by all manufacturers for the AFV Club Strykers being a good example) but are newly mastered and match the diameter of the wheels in the Tankograd MAZ-537 book 1:35 plans exactly to correct the undersized Trumpeter kit wheels.

The tread pattern has clean crisp deep detail definition that extends around the shoulder onto the wheel side walls as does the real MAZ-537 wheels for a very good appearance, especially over the kit vinyl wheels. The inner most tread block on the sidewalls could be faired smooth into the sidewalls to match photos better but other than that the tread pattern is very well done. There is one issue with the wheels in relations to the kits, these these represent the early style wheels with 27 tread chevrons around the shoulder while the actual intermediate and late wheels only have 22 tread chevrons around the shoulder.

Unfortunately there are a couple of issues with the rim/hub details, firstly the central large hub is undersized in diameter the same as the Trumpeter kit hub and this should be about 1.5mm larger in diameter to be even with the outer ring of rim bolts. There are also 8 indentations around the outer rims but these should actually be filled in with two smaller bolt heads added, the two larger indentations are correctly portrayed, see the images below of the actual wheels to illustrate this. Note that there are variations in hub and rim designs on the MAZ-537 wheels with some not having the diagonal ribs around the outer rim while the resin wheels include the ribs as seen in the images below but the central hub is the same size on both wheel designs.

Main Tractor Wheel details, the diameter is correctly sized but the central hub is undersized
Tank Workshop
Image of real wheels showing the central hub size, note different outer rim details
on the wheels with those on the left representing the resin wheels in this set.
Also note only 22 tread chevrons around the shoulder which is applicable to the Intermetiate and late
wheels while the Tank Workshop wheels have the 27 chevrons of the early style tyres.

Tank Workshop

You should also note that the wheel tread pattern is handed, meaning that the tread chevron faces downward on each side of the vehicle when looking from the front and you get the 4 wheels for each side with the tread pattern in opposite directions in relation to the rim/hub detail to reflect this. You should ensure you put the wheels on the appropriate side of the kit as the resin wheels are not identified left or right so you have to check the tread direction yourself as you fit the wheels.

Note correctly handed tread detail for each side of the vehicle.
Tank Workshop

On the inside of the wheels are large holes designed to fit over the Trumpeter kit wheel mounting hubs (parts D20/D53) but the hole is slightly too small and will need to be enlarged slightly. This is only a small amount and can be done by running a #11 blade around the opening the shave a small amount off the hole sides and the wheels will then fit directly to the kit hubs.

The spare wheel has the same excellent tread pattern as the main wheels with nicely hollowed out wheel rim with just some fine resin film to be removed from the middle of the rim and the small casting block with these added to the kit spare wheel rack on the trailer gooseneck as a direct replacement for the kit wheel.

Inside wheel detail and spare wheel
the location hole has to be enlarged slightly to fit the kit wheel hubs.

Tank Workshop

The trailer wheels are also newly designed and match the diameter shown in the Tankograd 1:35 plans but the tread profile is too square and should be more rounded as with the main tractor wheels. The tread depth is also a little shallow compared to photos and these wheels are also handed as with the main wheels so ensure they are fitted to the appropriate side of the trailer.

The hub detail is nicely done with good clean definition with just a small casting block and a little residue either side of the pour point to be cleaned from the wheels before fitting.

To fit the wheels to the kit trailer is quite simple, just cut the head of the kit wheel pin (part K22) and glue the pin into the hole on the back of the resin wheel and fit to the kit axle in the same manner as the kit wheels.

Trailer wheel details and spare
Tank Workshop

Conclusion:
The main tractor wheels are cleanly cast and most importantly are the correct diameter with very well done tread pattern for a good appearance, there are a couple of issues with the rim/hub details but overall the wheels make a good replacement for the undersized kit wheels. But the main issue is the wheels are the early pattern with the 27 shoulder chevrons while the intermediate and late wheels only have 22 tread chevrons which means these wheels aren't really applicable to the two Trumpeter kits if that small issue is of concern.

The trailer wheels while cleanly cast with good hub detail but the square tread profile lets them down a little as the curved tread profile is a notable feature of the MAZ-537 wheels but overall despite the detail issues this set is the better of the resin wheels I have seen for the Trumpeter MAZ-537 kits to date basically due to the correct wheel sizes and good treatment of the tread pattern.

Recommended 7.5/10

References:
Soviet Tank-Transporter and Heavy-Duty Truck MAZ-535 and MAZ-537
Tankograd Special No.02
book
Soviet Tank-Transporter and Heavy-Duty Truck MAZ-535 and MAZ-537
Tankograd Special No.2004
book
Soviet Tank-Transporter
MAZ-535G with MAZ/ChMZAP-
524G Semitrailer

Tankograd Special No.2005
book

Thanks to Jay from Tank Workshop for the review set.

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Page created October 10, 2008



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