To Kuno and other scale modelers who like Ford/GAZ AA trucks.
The GAZ AA was almost identical with the latest Ford AA (the first series of Ford AA had different bonnet, radiator shell, mudguards and cab and also the rear axle). The GAZ-AA is sometimes considered as a copy of American Ford, like many other Russian products, but in this particular case it is not truth, there was a regular license agreement between Ford and Russian government. The first series of GAZ-AA were assembled from imported parts. Then it was not GAZ yet, but Russki Ford. The name GAZ appeared after opening the new factory in Gorkii (Gorkii Truck Plant or Gorkovskii Avtomobilnyi Zavod, or GAZ). In the early production the only difference between Ford and GAZ was in the logo on the radiator shell, then the GAZ went trough some developments, got a modified engine, simplified mudguards and cab, etc. There appeared Russian scale model drawings which show also modified exhaust muffler, the original Ford one was conical while the Russian drawings show cylindrical. But it is not clear if it was really introduced as a kind of simplification during the production or if it appeared as a locally-made spare part because the original Russian manuals show the conical Ford exhaust.
Concerning the model you mentioned, it is probably the best one in 1/35 scale. Some resin models appeared in the past, as well as Czech-made vacu forms, but all of them require much more effort to get reasonable results than the Russian one. There are however some problematic areas like too “square” bonnet (could be sand off), as well as the rear wall of the cab (should be also curved using a file). The rear cantilever springs require hangers to be modified as the ones in kit are too simplified, as well as rear axle differential housing. Also the wheels are not 100% correct. And one more note for the purists: for the British or American Ford you would need new tires as there is nice Russian lettering on the GAZ wheels.
For those who would like to have nice FORD or GAZ AA truck model: try the 1/16 scale Ford A Pick Up, ex-Bandai, now available by Hobbycraft or what, the complete bonnet, mudguards, cab, front axle and engine are identical, new chassis would be no problem and I could give you contact on the manufacturer of 1/16 scale resin wheels.
And one more note at the end. Is it possible to publish here drawings? I have made scale drawings of Ford AA as used in UK and American armed forces, but when I export it as a jpg picture the small details are not visible. If you write me I would send you a pdf copy.
happy modelling and happy searching
Jan Mostek.