Bridlington & Wolds Scale Model Club Forum
Models => Modelling Projects => Topic started by: zak on September 05, 2023, 12:39:37 PM
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When is a Jeep not a Jeep?
What does the term really mean and where does it come from?
Like most people I though a Jeep was a Jeep, I did realise that it was built under licence by different companies, but thought it had originated with Willy's and Ford, not true, the original concept came from a same company, later called Bantam.
Bantam persuaded Karl Probst, a freelance engineer, to head their project and when the drawings for the tenders were examined by the Military on July 22, Probst's vehicle came closest to matching the specification though Bantam did conceal the fact that their vehicle was likely to be a little over the weight limit. An order was placed and by the end of September Probst had completed the drawings, sourced the parts and the Bantam prototype was delivered. Having tested it to destruction and being satisfied with its performance, the army commissioned 70 more to be built. Despite Willys failing to submit a prototype by the deadline and Ford showing little interest in the project at all at this time, both manufacturers were allowed access to the trials of the Bantam prototype and subsequently to Probst's drawings. Willys and Ford prototype models, the Quad and the Pygmy, were to follow in that order but clearly outside both the time and weight limits.
There was also concern about Bantam?s limited production capability and that even Willys Overland might not cope given the imminent need for a very large number of these vehicles. All of this resulted in a political decision in March 1941 that all three companies would receive an initial order for 1500 vehicles each, provided that they met the original specification though the permitted weight had now been increased.
Vehicles that looked remarkably similar during the trials became even more alike as each company adapted their design and copied the better ideas from each other or from Probst's plans ready for the first production runs. However, in July 1941 the military decided that standardisation was needed, it being impractical to operate and maintain three different designs. All three vehicles now performed well but it was decided that the Willys design represented the best overall value for money at $739 (compared with $1166 for a Bantam) and it was adopted as the standard army vehicle. Willys secured the contract to provide the next 16,000 vehicles.
The 40 BRC (the production version of the Bantam) was now no longer required by the US Army as it was 'non-standard'. The Bantams already in service with the army together with the continued output from the factory were passed to the British and Russian armies under the terms of the Lend-Lease Act.
This is the MiniArt Bantam 40BRC
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Very interesting. I didn't know about the origins.
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I was under the impression that Jeep came from G.P. - 'General Purpose'?
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I was under the impression that Jeep came from G.P. - 'General Purpose'?
So was I Chris
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It is one of the more likely answers, but not the only one by any means.
See here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep
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Interesting subject, which one are you going to do.
Bob c
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I bet he does them ALL ::) ::) ::)
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Progress so far.
I did drop the model and managed to mangle the front grille, just about sorted it out, it still has the odd kink,
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Here it is ready for its Lend lease trip overseas.
Notice the repaired (well almost) Grill.
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Now its onto a very old offering from Monogram, but packaged by Revell as part of a Jeep and M34 Tactical Truck offering.
It appears to be oversize, very basic and not may parts, bit it probably dates from the 1960 era?
More later hopefully.
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Jeeps galore now. Looks good Dave.
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Jeepers Chris don't encourage him - hohhoho
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Now its onto a very old offering from Monogram, but packaged by Revell as part of a Jeep and M34 Tactical Truck offering.
It appears to be oversize, very basic and not may parts, bit it probably dates from the 1960 era?
More later hopefully.
Just checked, it is from the 1960's.
A bit naughty of Revell.
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Here it is, very basic, but looks ok, rather oversized I think.
Rubber tyres.
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You're in overdrive Dave. Good model.
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A Bantam! Nice one, Dave; I'll file this away for future reference. The last time I saw an original Bantam for sale it had a price tag of over 80k! A few years ago I was wandering around the quite outstanding military museum at Overloon in the Netherlands (a bucket-list venue for anyone with any interest in WW2 vehicles, especially trucks and tanks) when I suddenly found, quite tucked away with no special mention, an original Bantam. I was chuffed to bits to have found it, but I have to admit that my long-suffering wife couldn't quite find it in herself to match my enthusiasm.
Now, if someone was to produce radial tyres and one-piece rims in 1/35 to convert an MB /GPW into a Hotchkiss M201, I might even be tempted away from aeroplanes! (Oh, and wooden carts...)
Jon
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Is Jeep (GP) for Great Productions? You keep turning them out.
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Here is the Tamiya WILLYS MB 1/4-ton 4x4 TRUCK.
As one would expect from Tamiya, nice model, straightforward built.
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Suitably weathered I see. Great.
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Suitably weathered I see. Great.
Thanks Chris.
Italeri offering(s) next.
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Driver installed in Tamiya Jeep, then its ready to go on patrol!
That is a Tamiya M8 Greyhound as well.
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Both look good. Why the kanji characters on the Greyhound?
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Republic of Korea vehicle.
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Hi Zak,
Looking good, another patrol hits the road from Bempton.
Kevin
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Here is the Italeri one with trailer, figures are from the spares box, anything seated with US helmets. Don't look too closely. They were different legs arms and so on from anything really
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All you need now are the Dodge Ambulance and a helo and you could have a M.A.S.H. scenario?
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Looking good Dave.
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Yep, another nice Jeep variant to the collection.
Kevin
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All you need now are the Dodge Ambulance and a helo and you could have a M.A.S.H. scenario?
My thoughts exactly. I have been looking for a helicopter but they are rather expensive in 1:35.
I do believe some MASH related kits were produced with a Bell helicopter and a truck, they are again expensive.
I have a truck that would do, I need to try to find an ambulance and a Helo?
I have the Italeri ambulance jeep to build as well.
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Here is the Italeri ambulance jeep under construction.
Some research whilst on Jersey, a Jeep in the War Tunnels.
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There was a MASH helo at the keighley show. Didn't see the price.
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Ambulance jeep assembled, weathering and highlighting still to go.
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Hi Zak,
Looking good. I saw one of these built up at Keighley Model Show with some figures in a small vignette.
Cheers Kevin
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You could always do a box diorama with a photo of the helo on the back wall and the other models making it into a 3D view - just a thought :o :o :o
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You could always do a box diorama with a photo of the helo on the back wall and the other models making it into a 3D view - just a thought :o :o :o
Thanks for the idea, I will ponder what to do....................................
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Always willing to HELP - think that's the word I should use - hohohhoho
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Ambulance jeep, just about finished.
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Here is the Italeri Commando Car
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The whole collection - so far.
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Jeepers!
That's a lot of Jeeps.
Kevin
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Very smart! Now I'm feeling guilty about the two part-built jeeps that gave been lurking in the cupboard for so long that they must be putting down roots...
Jon
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All looking great Dave. The detail is excellent.
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Another fine collection. well done.
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Thanks guys.
Ever onwards an upwards, bought this from Mighty Lancer.
Italeri 1:24 scale Willys Jeep.
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Have run out of fingers - how many is that now ::) ::) ::) ::)
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Just about the same number of fingers that you have 5 or it could be 6.
A little disappointed with this, no decals are supplied for the speedometer and other dials on the dashboard. I will have to make some or see of I have any in the spares box.
They just suggest painting them black. A bit of an oversight really.
Chassis construction.
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Engine under construction, plug leads and some pipework added.
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Looks great - what horse power can you get from it and whats the top speed ;) ;) ;) ;)
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Looks great - what horse power can you get from it and whats the top speed ;) ;) ;) ;)
The advised notice is not the exceed 35mph.
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HoHoHo will we need a longer table next meeting for you to drive up and down ::) ::) ::) ::)
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That?s a cracking collection of jeeps, can?t keep up with your production.
Bob c
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A big change in scale. Looking good though. Should be plenty of detail.
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A big change in scale. Looking good though. Should be plenty of detail.
Lots of detail, but still needed to add wires and leads and fuel pipes.
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Size comparison 1:24 and 1:35.
Engine detail.
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Looking great - engine looks a little toooooooo clean to my engineering eye - hohohohho
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Just about there.
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That's bright!
Great detail Dave.
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With all the great detail under the bonnet (hood for our American readers) perhaps you ought to have it open to show it off?
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With all the great detail under the bonnet (hood for our American readers) perhaps you ought to have it open to show it off?
It will be and is.