Tamiya 1/35 M151A2 TOW Jeep

[stikpusher]

My first WIP thread on MSC

I kicked off this build last night at IPMS. It should go fairly quickly, although I do plan to modify it into IDF configuration as used during the 1982 Lebanon War

the basic idea…



the kit



and steps 1 & 2 completed last night, the undersides



more to come soon…

[rbaer]

IDF. Mmmm, good.

[keavdog]

I'd be interested in how that vehicle was used tactically. Seems like an unarmored lead magnet.

[stikpusher]

Jun 7, 2023 18:32:05 GMT -5 keavdog said:

I'd be interested in how that vehicle was used tactically. Seems like an unarmored lead magnet.

In offense, move to provide overwatch for the main elements. Move forward to the next advantageous position to repeat the process.  In defense, can be used for screening by ambush from concealed positions... fire a round or two then displace to secondary and alternate positions before accurate fire can be brought down on the firing position. With a max range of nearly 4000m artillery is the biggest worry. 

[keavdog]

The old shoot and scoot. Better than the Wasp flame thrower jeep

[Leon]

I like a nice IDF build! Will be following this.

[deafpanzer]

Off to good start... can't go wrong with any IDF subject!

[stikpusher]

Jun 7, 2023 19:32:17 GMT -5 keavdog said:

The old shoot and scoot. Better than the Wasp flame thrower jeep

Oh big time. I always wondered the "why?" of the Wasp jeep. The Wasp Universal Carrier, ok, as it had light armor to protect from small arms fire. But flamethrowers are most useful against dug in positions. An unarmored jeep in that role, not such a bright idea.

[adt70hk]

Cool!!

[tcoat]

When landing in Germany I looked out the window to see two of these right in the middle of the airfield. They were less than a 100 yards from the plane wingtip! Thought "What the H... am I in for here".

Looked exactly like this right down to the last detail. (Well the ground was flatter I guess)

[Tobi]

Built this MUTT twice in my life and have a third somewhere in the stash. It's already nice OOB, but you get pretty AM parts from DEF nowadays, too.

[stikpusher]

Jun 8, 2023 7:06:52 GMT -5 tcoat said:

When landing in Germany I looked out the window to see two of these right in the middle of the airfield. They were less than a 100 yards from the plane wingtip! Thought "What the H... am I in for here".

Looked exactly like this right down to the last detail. (Well the ground was flatter I guess)

LOL! Yeah I’ve had that feeling/thought on landing myself… although not on any trips to Germany. I couldn’t see anything aside from the guys across the way from me in a C-141 on my first trip. 🤨

[stikpusher]

Jun 8, 2023 7:41:32 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Built this MUTT twice in my life and have a third somewhere in the stash. It's already nice OOB, but you get pretty AM parts from DEF nowadays, too.

I’ve built a few myself, but haven’t added any AM that wasn’t generic… thinking about a Legends set for this one though…

[tcoat]

Jun 8, 2023 12:54:31 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Jun 8, 2023 7:41:32 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Built this MUTT twice in my life and have a third somewhere in the stash. It's already nice OOB, but you get pretty AM parts from DEF nowadays, too.

I’ve built a few myself, but haven’t added any AM that wasn’t generic… thinking about a Legends set for this one though…

Is a pretty nice little kit in all of it's iterations. 

With trailer. OOB except for drinking straw "rocket packing tubes".

[stikpusher]

Yeah, I’ve built a few myself between the Tamiya kit and the Academy A1s

[tcoat]

Wow you really do like those things! 
God we hated those things when they took away all our old '50s era Kaisers and replaced them with those in '78 or so. They simply could NOT go where the old ones could. Was sort of nice to have windhsield wipers that worked when you accelerated though.

[Tobi]

Dig the MASSTER camo. That looks great!

[jeaton01]

They showed us training films on these, emphasizing how easy you could roll one compared to our old Jeeps. As I remember it was because of the independant front suspension, the front wheel tended to tuck under.

[stikpusher]

Thanks guys!

TC, yeah I do like me some jeeps. I’ve built a few, more if you throw in the WWII Willys’, and have more in the stash to do. I suppose I should do a family photo with the Willys’ added in 🤔

Tobi, I love the MASSTER scheme. I have a few more projects in my stash slated for MASSTER schemes. If somebody ever comes out with an injection plastic MBT-70 US variant, I’ll do a “what if?” MASSTER scheme on that.

John, if I recall right, it was the rear wheels of the independent suspension that would tuck under on turns, particularly on fast turns. That’s the primary difference between the A1 and A2 versions. Along with detail differences such as the fenders and whatnot. 

[406 Silverado]

I'm looking forward to seeing more on this one as I haven't seen one of these built up just yet Carlos. Great subject and LOVE the already completed builds that you posted.

[stikpusher]

Thanks Joe. I hope that you enjoy what comes next.

[ogrejohn]

Looks like you are off to a good start, That is a very nice collection of MUTTs!

[stikpusher]

Thanks John. You can never have enough jeeps. 😏

[Tobi]

Comin' back once more on the MASSTER scheme Carlos, do you recall which colors you have been using?
I think the tones fit very well. Especially the brown seems to be difficult to reprodruce, at least for me.

[stikpusher]

Sure thing Tobi, I went off an old color guide that I had that specified FS30277 for the sand, Forest Green FS 34127, Earth Red FS 30117, and Black FS 37038. I used Humbrol paints, 187 Dark Stone/Sand, 150 Forest Green, 186 Brown, and 33 Black.
I’m still a die hard enamel paint user in general and Humbrol in particular.

[stikpusher]

I have spent quite some time studying the few decent photos I could find of the IDF TOW jeeps and resumed work on this yesterday during the SO CAL AMPS Zoom meeting

I finished up most of the basic body work and added the screen over the radiator grill seen on the IDF M151s



Then I built up the components for the TOW system, but didn't yet glue them all in place. I need to cut the missile rack in half because the IDF ones carry their missiles over and under rather than side by side. Also the ground mount tripod is stowed on the driver's fender instead of under the missile rack on the IDF TOW jeeps.


Lastly I built up the rear seats and the radio components. I still need to do a bit more work on the radios. I swapped out the US jerry can for an IDF type



Now I need to do my best guesstimate of the IDF internal configuration. and do a bit of scratch work... still not sure if im going with a M1919 .30 cal or FN MAG machine gun.... I'm leaning towards the Browning...

[moramartht]

I recall right, it was the rear wheels of the independent suspension that would tuck under on turns, particularly on fast turns.

So, it was basically just a military Corvair?

I was given to understand the Tamiya kit lacks some suspension components and rides too low.

Regards,

M

[stikpusher]

Jul 23, 2023 20:40:38 GMT -5 moramartht said:

I recall right, it was the rear wheels of the independent suspension that would tuck under on turns, particularly on fast turns.

So, it was basically just a military Corvair?

I was given to understand the Tamiya kit lacks some suspension components and rides too low.

Regards,

M

Yup, they called it "Corvair rollover". 

I know that Tamiya simplified the suspension a bit, but nothing is lacking that I know of. The Academy M151A1 kits are incorrect on the rear suspension. The Tamiya kit looks to have the proper sit from what I remember of them. Its been a long time since the 80's... LOL!

[406 Silverado]

Looks to have a decent parts count for the interior of this one and am looking forward to seeing what you do with it and the TOW system mods. Does the kit provide or do you have any aftermarket parts for the interior like gauges and foot pedals and the like?

[stikpusher]

Jul 25, 2023 4:25:17 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Looks to have a decent parts count for the interior of this one and am looking forward to seeing what you do with it and the TOW system mods. Does the kit provide or do you have any aftermarket parts for the interior like gauges and foot pedals and the like?

Yeah, it has a full extra sprue of parts from their basic M151A2 kit. The kit does not provide, nor do I have any AM parts for gauges, pedals, etc. If you put a figure in the driver seat, it is not noticeable, but if you don't...