USSR Models

When one thinks of die-cast model manufacturers one would not automatically think of the USSR, yet at least from the 80's on there was quite a prolific production of models which reflected the production of vehicles in the USSR.   These were designed as models for collectors rather than toys and were freely available at hard currency stores called Beriozka.  My only trip to the USSR involved a flight from Paris to Tokyo on Japan Airlines in November 1988 - in those days, a certain proportion of Trans-Siberian flights were obliged to make a technical stop in Moscow and that is how I had the fortune of being able to purchase my first such models at the airport's Beriozka shop.

My collection is small but representative.  Overall, the quality is quite varied and is adequate in terms of display models.  All are indicated to be at 1/43 scale.

Lada 2108/09 - plastic baseplate and wheels, Opening doors bonnet/hood and hatchback

The models are not numbered, but on the inside flap there is an ink stamp indicating ART. C-CO-335D (in Cyrillic script)

This was the new Lada launched shortly before the collapse of the USSR.  It was a front wheel drive design.  They did not appear to be as sturdy as the Fiat 124 based Ladas of the first generation; one hardly sees one on the roads today although older Ladas are still quite visible on the roads of Moscow.

This scale model seems to be out of production now.

Lada VAZ-2101 - Series Zhigouli - ART C-CO-51 D

This is the car that put USSR car production truly on the map.  It was based on the Fiat 124 and modified to be abel to function well and survive the very harsh climatic and road conditions of the country.  It was a landmark deal between a western corporation and the Soviet Union and the city in which it was built was named after a famous Italian Communist, Togliatti(grad).

The model is beautifully detailed and has a metal baseplate and nice rubber treaded tires on what appear to be metal hubs.

In November 1988 I paid $2.80 for it...On the inside of the box its marked as a Souvenir...and a price in Russian currency as 3 Rub. 50 Kop.

Lada 2121 NIVA - ART C-CO 138 D

This was a period USSR SUV which was still in production till quite recently.  It was also made at the Togliatti plant where the Fiat 124 based Lada was made.

The details that they packed into this model is impressive even though some of the plastic parts are of inferior quality and hence quite supple.

 The baseplate is made of plastic as are most of the suspension parts.

However someone had fun designing this model as they graced it with steerable wheels and even nice little coil springs made of metal at the front.  The axles are fixed but the detail is a joy to behold.

Look at this!

Moskvich 412

This was the most prolific USSR made passenger car prior to the arrival of the Lada.  It was also widely exported and was even entered in some Western European rallies! It had a relatively modern 1.5 Litre OHC engine but its weight and suspension did not permit sporty performance in the every day cars.

This model appears to have been made in March 1980 according to an ink-pad stamp on the inside flap.  Its nicely reproduced with an opening bonnet/hood and detailed engine.  With a metal base plate, metal wheel hubs and rubber tires, it looks very authentic.  I don't recall how I came to acquire this, but I found a customs slip beneath the inside packaging indicating a value of 11,- M i.e. 11 East German Marks! Someone must have mailed it from the GDR to the west at some point... this model has been around...

As far as I know, the Moskvich was the only USSR car ever modelled by a western toy manufacturer - Dinky France released a version of the previous series 408 model in 1968.  The only obvious difference between the 408 and the 411 is that the latter has L shaped rear lap clusters.

Here is another 'Souvenir' Model; this time of a pre WW2 GAZ-AA light truck.

It's shown as a 1/43 scale model and its length 12cm means that the real one was roughly 512cm long

Look at the simple but ingenious packaging ensuring that the model does not move around horizontally.  The cab is made of metal and the base, wheels, axles and load area of plastic.

 This is the label coming with the 'toy'.

At the base of the box there is a glued paper label indicating that it was made in St Petersburg.  A friend working at Aeroflot had brought this to me in the mid 90s.

Here is another purchase form my 1988 stop in Moscow.

GAZ 14 - Chaika ART SGO - 737 D - sold for 7 Rub 50 Kop (I paid 6.00$)

 A very nice model.  Built like a tank compared to the other models reviewed up to now.  Very solid and heavy. Metal base plate, opening bonnet(hood and boot/trunk with a spare tire.  Details of the article number and local price are printed on a slip of paper tucked into the packaging!

These cars were used by the privileged and high functionaries of the USSR, but they had choice! If a GAZ Chaika was not to their taste, they could opt for the ZIL-117!

This is a 'short' wheelbase ZIL compared to the GAZ-14 which had a middle row of jump seats...

ZIL-117 - ART C-CO-214 D

 Very detailed with plenty of chrome.

All parts open with a spare tire.  Axles have suspension and rubber tires are mounted on styled metal hubs.  It has a very detailed engine compartment but the hinge for the bonnet/hood is rather cursory...

 Look at that oversized hood ornament!

 Overall it weighs about 2/3 of the GAZ 14 model looked at before.

 The GAZ-13 preceded the 14 model.  It looked like a copy of a 1950's Packard!

GAZ-13 ART C-CO-100D

 Bought for 7.50$  at Moscow Airport in November 1988.

These were the most common and ubiquitous USSR limousines produced.  It was an imposing machine and it had a lethargic and silent V8 engine.  Growing up in Cyprus one would occasionally see the Ambassador of the USSR riding in one.

The detailing of the model is up to scratch and more than pays tribute to the real thing.  Look at the jump seat which fold forward!

Very baroque design with 'tons' of chrome.

All 'Packard' from the back too! The designers must not have had too much trouble getting inspiration.

 Heavy metal baseplate screwed in place like most of the other models in the series.

 Nicely detailed box.  All the others also come with coloured images of the real thing at the back.

 If the Ladas and the Moskviches were for the middle class, the Zils and Chaikas for the 'bosses', then the Volga was the vehicle for the upper middle class and lower bosses.

The GAZ 24 - Volga was based on the previous series GAZ 21 - Volga whose styling was roughly similar to a Volvo 122.  Whilst the exterior and interior were heavily modernised, the engines were carried over from the quite agricultural older model.  Launched in the late 60's with series production commencing in 1970 promises of modern OHC or V6 engines never materialised except that several were made to carry the V8 engine of the Chaika, specially for the KGB.  The car was also available as a station wagon like its predecessor.  Whereas the large Chaika and Zil were never exported to the west, the Volga was, and it was appreciated by a niche who liked its heavy construction.

GAZ-24 Volga ART C-CO-118D - cost 4.50$ in 1988 (Blue)

 I have two versions in my collection

 The brown one was officially imported into Switzerland and cost CHF13.00

 For the extra money you got a spare tire in the boot/trunk!

 Very detailed metal base with plastic axle and suspension parts.

 Rubber tires on plastic hubs which are chromed on the outside.

The baseplate of the blue one indicates 'Made in USSR' in English as well as in Russian.  The brown one is just in Russian.

There was a rich variety of vehicles made in the USSR and a minibus also had its place.  The brand was called RAF...noting to do with the Royal Air Force, I'm certain!  It actually stands for Riga Autobus Factory...very Russian...so, they were made in Riga, Latvia which was then part of the USSR.  The actual van was apparently based on the GAZ-24. That's platform sharing for you!

RAF 2203 Latvia -  ART C CO-133D - Purchased in Moscow, November 1988 for 4.80$

 Opening doors

 Rubber typres on plastic hubs with a plastic baseplate.

Production of the RAF continued for a while after Latvia's regained independence but the company soon went bankrupt...

Russo-Balt C24-40, Torpedo, 1912 Model - Art C-CO-126D, 1/43 scale, Made in USSR

Russo-Blat was one of the oldest car manufacturers in the Russian Empire and it was initially set up in Riga, Latvia (then part of the Empire) in 1909.  They produced cars till 1923.

The packaging is different than for the modern Russian models but if one looks at the imprinted Article numbers on the inside flap then one can ascertain that they all probably came out of the same factory.

 The detail is impressive and equivalent to Corgi's vintage models.

 The base is made of metal with plastic' suspension' parts,

The variations and colours available are bewildering; the Saratov made models leave nothing to be desired in terms of detail or variety.

A favourite is the Volga-GAZ 24 Ambulance; not that two doors open on the right and only one on the left - I assume that's how the reals one's functioned as the stretcher would have blocked the left rear door?

Its really nice to see such 1/43 scale die cast models with so many opening parts; this Volga has an opening bonnet, boot as well as the aforementioned three side doors.  I'm guessing that these were produced from the mid 1980's on.

This wraps up my survey of my USSR

(you might have missed the Lada Moscow Taxi model in my introductory article - that was Made in Russia)

There was another series of die-cast toy cars made in the USSR.  That was reproductions of castings from Mebetoys of Italy.  I shall devote an item to those in due course.