April 21, 2025

Preview: MiniArt has us hooked on their 35th scale G7117 1.5T 4x4 Wrecker

MiniArt continues to expand the Chevy truck range with the popular G7117 1.5T 4x4 Cargo Truck - but this one has the wrecker gear, including a hoist on a rail out the rear! We look at the truck and the kit in our preview...

Preview: MiniArt has us hooked on their 35th scale G7117 1.5T 4x4 Wrecker

G7117 1.5T 4x4 Wrecker
From MiniArt
Kit No #35490
1/35th scale
Three colour variants are included in this kit
Photo-etch parts are included
The Subject: G7117 1.5T 4x4 wrecking truck
The Chevrolet 1.5-tonne 4x4 Cargo Truck (G7107) was part of the G506 series of 1.5-tonne closed-cab trucks built by Chevrolet in large numbers during World War II. The G7107 is the basic cargo truck of the G506 series, with a standard 9-foot bed. The G7107 series of trucks were produced with cargo beds made of both wood and metal.

A good view of the rear of the wrecker, with that frame protruding from the canvas. This held the 1.5t pulley that was able to lift and to drag things. Engineering tools were stored inside & on the outside of the vehicle to assist the soldiers.
A close-up of the winch on the truck that signifies it as a G7117 variant of the truck.
These trucks had a winch on the front bumper, which was one of the identifying points of the G7117 trucks. The wrecker variant also had a 1.5-tonne winch on a sliding rail that protruded out of the rear of the truck. Whatever was picked up could (as long as it fitted) be moved via the sliding rail back inside the truck for transport or to be worked on under cover if needed.

One of the subjects from this boxing is seen in operations in New Caledonia in 1942, pulling a Jeep for recovery.
A serviceman standing at the back of a wrecker from the 28th Infantry Division's motor pool. You can see the engineering tools, like the compressor and other gear, in the rear of the bed (but not in the kit, mind you). This is another truck taken from this boxing.

The new kit from MiniArt:
We have some images of the kit's CADs to show you a lot of the features of this forthcoming kit...

Kit features:
- The truck adds the front-mounted PTO winch to differentiate it from the G7107 kit. The rear pulley & rails, plus engineering tools, are included.
- The truck comes with metal sides and wooden slats or railings.
- The front grille for the front is made from photo-etch or from plastic; this is a choice for the modeller. There is also a choice for both of these in the rear bumper.
The cargo tray can be covered with either this custom-made tarpaulin for the kit or it can be left bare, with the ribbing of the truck and wooden sideboards. Your choice.
You can see some of the tools for the kit on the sides of the truck.
- The full chassis, engine, running gear, suspension and linkages for the truck are included
- A spare wheel is included. The full engine bay is provided in this boxing.
- Passenger doors, the hood, and the tailgate can be posed open or closed. Also, the bonnet (hood) is, of course, able to be opened to show off that lovely engine compartment. The steel wire mesh is provided in these photo-etched parts, as are the battery brackets. 
- The rear cargo door can also be posed open.
- MiniArt supply tools to bend this in the correct manner
- The cab comes in several curved parts that join at seams to make construction easier. The roof itself is a single part.
- The side bracket for the truck's tools is included with photo-etched details.
- The rear benches can be posed flat or horizontally
- Scale-thick photo-etched parts are used for tie-downs on the tray.
- Clear parts for the windows and lights are, of course, included.

A close-up of the pulley, with the chain included in the kit, that slides on the rail on the rear bed of the truck.

This kit is due next month. See more about all of MiniArt's kits on their website...