WWII Soviet Canvas-Covered Military Transport

The ZiS-5 Covered Cargo Truck represents one of the Red Army’s most important wartime transport vehicles. Strong, simple and dependable, the ZiS-5 carried soldiers, ammunition, food, fuel and equipment across the vast distances of the Eastern Front.

This version features a raised canvas cover over the timber cargo body, protecting its passengers or supplies from rain, snow, dust and freezing winds. Its classic upright cab, long bonnet, dual rear wheels and covered load bed make it ideal for Soviet convoys, railway layouts, supply depots and winter dioramas.

Tanks may have led the attacks, but trucks like the ZiS-5 kept them fuelled, armed and moving.

The Story Behind the Vehicle

A ZiS-5 moves slowly along a damaged road with its cargo hidden beneath a weathered canvas cover. Inside may be infantry heading toward the front, wounded soldiers travelling to a field hospital or urgently needed ammunition and winter clothing.

The driver avoids shell holes while soldiers guide the truck through the mud. There is no armour and little protection beyond the canvas, but stopping is not an option—the unit waiting farther ahead depends upon its cargo.

This model tells the story of the ordinary vehicles and crews performing the essential work behind every military operation.

Historical Background

Introduced during the early 1930s, the ZiS-5 was a Soviet 4×2 general-purpose truck with an approximate three-ton carrying capacity. Its rugged mechanical design was relatively straightforward to maintain, making it valuable in areas with few workshops, limited spare parts and extremely difficult conditions.

During WWII, ZiS-5 trucks transported almost everything required by the Red Army, including troops, ammunition, rations, fuel, engineering equipment, medical supplies and replacement parts. The chassis was also adapted for ambulances, workshops, tankers, field kitchens, anti-aircraft mounts and communications vehicles.

Wartime shortages resulted in the simplified ZiS-5V. Some components were replaced with timber or simplified to reduce production time and conserve metal. Despite its basic construction, the ZiS-5 remained one of the Soviet Union’s essential transport vehicles.

Canvas covers were commonly fitted over the cargo body to protect troops and supplies. They also provide modellers with the perfect excuse to leave the cargo mysterious—ammunition, rations, soldiers or perhaps one very nervous headquarters officer!

Perfect for Dioramas Featuring

• Soviet troop and supply convoys

• Ammunition or fuel deliveries

• Railway loading yards and military depots

• Artillery resupply positions

• Field hospitals and casualty evacuation

• Muddy Eastern Front roads

• Winter and snow-covered landscapes

• Headquarters and communications units

• Abandoned or damaged vehicle scenes

• Captured trucks in German service

Add soldiers beside the vehicle, crates being unloaded, a field kitchen, fuel drums or a checkpoint to create a scene with a clear story.

Interesting Fact

The ZiS-5 was widely nicknamed the “three-tonner” because of its rated cargo capacity. The name suited a vehicle designed to work rather than impress.

Fun Fact

There was no air conditioning in the ZiS-5, but the canvas-covered passengers had a choice: freeze with the cover open or bounce around in the dark with it closed!

Model Features

• Classic Soviet ZiS-5 4×2 configuration

• Detailed upright cab and long bonnet

• Timber-plank cargo body

• Raised canvas load cover

• Dual rear wheels and military-pattern tyres

• Detailed chassis and exterior components

• Ideal for railway layouts and military dioramas

• Produced as a detailed resin scale model

• Made in Australia

Available Scales

• 1:87 – HO: Model railways and compact scenes

• 1:76 – OO: Railway layouts and military collections

• 1:72: Small-scale military displays

• 1:48: Detailed tabletop and diorama scenes

• 1:35: Large, highly detailed displays

• Custom scaling available on request

Choose Your Finish

Unpainted and CleanedSupplied in natural grey resin, cleaned and ready for final preparation, priming and painting. Ideal for modellers wanting complete control over the finished vehicle.

Grey PrimedSupplied with an even grey primer coat, providing a clean surface ready for your chosen colours, markings and weathering.

Soviet Base ColourSupplied with a Soviet military-green base coat. Complete the tyres, canvas, timber details and markings before adding mud, dust, snow and paint wear.

Painting and Weathering Ideas

Finish the body in Soviet military green with dark tyres and a faded khaki, olive or grey-brown canvas cover. Add dust, dried mud and scratches around the lower body, wheels, doors and loading edges.

For a winter vehicle, apply an uneven temporary whitewash and build snow around the mudguards and tyres. A dark wash will bring out the timber panels, grille and mechanical details, while subtle stains around the engine and fuel tank will create the appearance of a hard-working transport.

Please Note

This detailed resin model is intended for adult collectors, railway modellers and diorama builders. Minor preparation or assembly may be required, and small components should be handled carefully.

Figures, cargo, scenery, decals and accessories shown in promotional scenes are not included unless specifically listed in the selected product package.