Introduction
KamAZ-65115 is one of the best-selling dump truck models of the Kama Automobile Plant. The dump truck, produced since 1998, was the continuation of the KamAZ-55111 dump truck line with a lifting capacity of 13 tons, which, in turn, was a logical continuation of the 10-ton KamAZ-5511. Evolution and continuity are evident. Like its predecessors, the 65115th KamAZ is a three-axle dump truck with two leading rear axles, with a gable tire. It carrying capacity is 15 tons. It is a sales leader in the construction dump truck segment. On the same base, a 6x6 KamAZ-65111 dump truck was built.
The main purpose of the KamAZ-65115 dump truck remained the same as that of its predecessors. This is the transportation of all kinds of bulk cargo, mainly building materials: sand, gravel, gravel, etc. When equipped with a tipper platform with the possibility of three-sided unloading, the dump truck is widely used in the agricultural sector. In particular, as a grain truck for transporting silage and silage. This dump truck is designed exclusively for transportation over short distances - to perform current everyday tasks at construction sites and on intra-regional type flights. To use this model over long distances would be very difficult: the suspension is stiff, and there is no sleeping place in the cab.
KamAZ-65115 is equipped with an all-metal dumping platform with an inclined front side. The body has a box, bucket or trough type and a protective visor that reliably covers the space between the platform and the cab. The exhaust gases heat the underbody, preventing the cargo from sticking and freezing to the loading platform. For use with trailers, as a part of road trains, the car is equipped with pin-loop or clearance-free traction coupling devices, as well as electric and pneumatic terminals for supplying trailer systems. The truck can be used both independently and with a trailer, as part of dumping road trains. In addition to dumping bodies, other superstructures are also installed on the KamAZ-65115 chassis: concrete mixer, garbage truck, tanker truck, truck crane, truck-mounted crane, scrap truck, and metal truck.
First Impressions
The box is a carton box with an end flap opening top, with a thin outer box with flip-open ends, and the artwork on top and on the bottom. The artwork is ok, I do like the fact that they have done the built model on the back of the box with some details. About the real truck.
First impressions detail on the actual kit is I have to say, are pretty good, on the cab in particular.
The Kit
The model kit comes on five sprues. The cab is on two blue, the actual colour of the lorry on the box, the chassis and engine are in black, plus a clear sprue for glazing.
One set of decals, a nice colour chart showing where to place the decals and finally the instruction booklet.
So, starting with the cab, I am honestly and pleasantly surprised by the level of detail in this kit and have taken some more photos to show you what I mean.
What is nice to see is how they made the tooling, for instance the driver's door you are building you start with the blue door so glazing first then the outside steps which come of one of the black sprues then the interior of the door with a frame that goes around the interior of the door and fits on the interior of the cab so when you open the door to climb in the frame with hand rails is there for you to grab while climbing what impress me so much is the way the they have made it is such a way that it is as realistic and authentic.
Another huge plus for me is the fact that you have a full engine to build, which also has the clutch housing and gearbox with drive shafts. I am so impressed with this little Kamaz truck that they have achieved such a high level of detail by making it in singular parts that when you put it together, you will see for yourself just how good and, more importantly, just how realistic it looks
This kit from Zvezda is a new type of model for me, and I did not know what to think at first, but it has surprised me completely. The level of detail is a lot better than I ever managed, it would be especially the scale 1:43rd, which is a well-known scale in diecast cars, but not one for model kits that I have seen previously. So, the kit has some amazing detail
conclusion
This little truck has made me think seriously about this kit. I am surprised by the amazing detail, to say the least, but it is very good. I think there will be a lot of modellers out there who will love this little truck with its full engine, gearbox and clutch. chassis with suspension spring leaf.
The way they have gone about the new tooling and came out with this little gem, but you don't have to take my word for it, please go and take a look at it in the local model shop, I think you will be surprised.
