Tamiya 1/35 M151A2 TOW Jeep

[stikpusher]

Well, this one sat on the sidelines for awhile as I worked on some time deadline projects, but now I have resumed work. My biggest thing was trying to figure out the IDF configuration that was changed from the original TOW Jeeps sent to the IDF. After pouring over the few photos that I could find, I am going with an early/mid configuration, and this is where I'm at now.

I had to alter the missile stowage racks, the MGS rack was cooled with a seat, a machine gun pintle point is being added to the dash, and most of the radio and external stowage being reworked.



In a day or two I should have it all together and ready for basic paint...

[kyledehart5]

Well, that’s looking good

[handiabled]

Good to see you back on this one. It will be interesting to see this with IDF modifications

[deafpanzer]

You are getting there as everything looks great!

[project510]

Very cool, I need one of these for my morning commute to work.

[406 Silverado]

I wondered what happened to this one a couple of times now Carlos. Glad to see you back on it and am looking forward to seeing paint go on it after all of the alterations and repairs.

[ogrejohn]

Looking really good Stik!

[stikpusher]

Joe, I got a bit sidetracked on this one due to other projects, and now have it on the front burner. Not to mention that looking at the photos that I cold find of these things revealed there was quite a bunch of little things to do here getting it into IDF configuration.

Thanks John, I'm finally getting it to where the build is coming together!

Well, I started adding some of the external items on this little guy such as scratch built ammo can racks on the rear and a scratch built antenna mount base. I also swapped out some IDF water cans and scrounged up a stowage box for the right rear. I also added some missing brace struts on the ground mount tripod, plus drilled out some lightening holes on that as well. I would have done a bit more, but I lost a couple of hours yesterday while waiting at an ungodly slow barber shop to do a simple buzz cut... :headbang:



slow but sure progress, more to come in a few days...

[deafpanzer]

Nice touch adding the racks!

[stikpusher]

Thanks Andy. Still plugging away at this...

[handiabled]

I really like the addition of all the little details

[Tobi]

No way IDF would leave something in the original configuration as it is if it's not an already Israeli development. :-)

[stikpusher]

Thanks Brent. I'm still plugging away at those details. Have most completed, but still need to add a few more...

Tobi, many of the mods make sense to me. Particularly adding a pintle mount for a machine gun and adding a seat for a gunner/passenger. A little more punch than individual issue weapons for during movement. The missile reload rounds are probably a little slower to use from the rack, but they are likely not to be in the situation employment where that feature is as critical.

[stikpusher]

More small bits completed…

Passenger side MG mount completed. I ended up using an Academy M-1919 and modified a kit pintle mount



Found another pair of late style .30 cal. ammo cans in my spares bin for the rear rack



I drilled out the lightening slots in the launch tube that Tamiya neglected to mold in place



I also opened the slot on the front of the pedestal mount to allow the connector cable for the Missile Guidance Set, added that cable to the MGS, and add added some wiring and a hand mic to the radio set, and filled in some open space on the bottom of the day sight.



Lastly I started installing interior components



Just a few more things to add, mostly stowage items…

[deafpanzer]

Amazing details added to the jeep!

[stikpusher]

Thanks Andy. It’s getting there.

[chromdome35]

This is coming along very nicely, I like the details your adding in, they all enhance the model.

[stikpusher]

Thanks Brian. I still have a few more things up my sleeve on this one…

[kyledehart5]

Yes you are certainly elevating this kit nicely. Really coming along. Looking forward to those other tricks. I’m really liking this.

[stikpusher]

Thanks Kyle! I'm just about out of tricks after this update...

Since my last update I have....

created an antenna for the R-442 receiver, and pulled a full size AM antenna for the VRC-160 from my spares bin... plus I started wiring up the R-442 receiver



I scratched up the clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals, plus I added a bracket for the top of the ground mount tripod



I scratched up these fitting on the hood, but have no clue as to what their purpose is for... plus I also scratched up one more ammo can rack that I did see fitted on one IDF TOW M151



and lastly I scratch built up a LS-454 speaker box for the R-442 receiver and glued it onto the wire



I should have basic construction finished tomorrow...

[kyledehart5]

Most excellent! That’s a ton of extra work and some truly great detail you have added. You’ve taken this thing up several notches.

[deafpanzer]

Brilliant work on the details!

[handiabled]

Outstanding detail additions!

[stikpusher]

Kyle, Andy, Brent, thank you for looking in and your kind comments. In another day or two I should have some more updates for ya.

[stikpusher]

Yesterday, construction completed



Today, primer on



Now to dry overnite and tomorrow start colors…

[rbaer]

Looks great, loaded up like the Clampett's car, typical IDF...

[stikpusher]

Thanks Russ. Too funny about the Jed Clampett comparison. I do like how the IDF modifies any equipment that they incorporate into their use.

[handiabled]

What a difference from where you started with this. It definitely looks the part now

[stikpusher]

Thanks Brent. It does look quite a bit different now than when first started, or how the OOB US version is supposed to look.

[stikpusher]

So this past Saturday So Cal AMPS did our monthly Zoom meeting build session. So during the meeting I did an airbrush session, including applying the IDF Sand Gray base color



Yesterday was a day away from the bench, and today I did most of the rest of the detail colors





I'll get more done tomorrow...