My Bradley is almost finished, so I decided to start another model. This will be the first new model I build for some six years! My three recent projects (MiG-29A, M923A1 and M3A2 Bradley) were partially built several years ago and in recent month I just finished / rebuilt them. But this one is brand new model. I decided I need something small this time, something I can finish really quickly. I've chosed Academy M151A1 truck. Several months ago I wrote a review of this kit (http://vodnik.net/index_rv.htm), so I knew what to expect.

Recently I bought Academy's new kit: M151A2 hardtop with trailer. Knowing that I will build A2 variant in the future, I decided that I will build a true A1 variant from older Academy kit, to be able to show differences between both variants. Academy kit is very good, but to make it true A1, some modifications are necessary: rear suspension is A2 style in the kit, also steering wheel is closer to A2 type. Suspension also lacks some details around front axle (e.g. all parts of steering mechanism were omitted...) and open design of truck body around front wheels makes these omissions quite visible.





I will close the hood, so I do not plan to add any details to the engine. But I admit that it is very well done in the kit - all that is needed to make it fully accurate are some cables, hoses and pipes.

I use Eduard PE set to add some details.

Any comments welcome!

Rgds,
Pawel

Great job Pawel! Another modeler and I have been talking and sharing the information on finally doing the underside of the M151 and 'A1 correctly. It isn't too laborious to model, though really difficult to see in the end. Nice to see you doing it too!

Gunnie

Hi there Pawel. This one is the Old Academy model ( the one in the simple white box) with trailer? I have it sealed for over 10 years now , and you build pushes me to crack it !!! Nic e work clean neat and accurate. I ncase i crack it have some ref pic to send over? Thanks Costas

No, this is not the very old Academy kit with trailer - this is one of their newer releases. It is older than their recently released M151A2 hardtop, as it was released a year earlier than that one, but not as old as those ancient Tamiya copies. All Tamiya/old Academy kits were A2 variants, this one is A1 - it has correct A1 style flat front fenders, dashboard and split windshield. As I mentioned earlier some things still need to be corrected to make it fully A1: rear suspension, steering wheel and minor change in the shape of the body behind the rear wheels is necessary.

I use two books as references: Verlinden's Warmachines No.5 "1/4 ton M151 MUTT" and Wings & Wheels "Ford MUTT in detail, M151 A1/A2".

Best Regards,
Pawel

Thanks for the info Pawel

hi Pawel,
This is a good kit and your detailing looks very good. I also liked the review in your webpage. I bought the Academy Shmira kit months ago but when I made a web search I was disappointed. Shmira m151 a1 version is only in model pages, you are right on in real shmira is a2 version. if related please see this page about shmira
best regards

I think I need to update my review with some more information about M151A1 kit I discovered once I started building it. And I also want to add a review of new M151A2 hardtop model.

It was quite unwise idea from Academy that they released Shmira as A1 variant and later released hardtop A2 variant - they should have waited with the Smira release until they have A2 parts ready. Now to get the most accurate Shmira you need to buy Academy Shmira kit and also new M151A2 hardtop with trailer and combine parts of the two. From remaining parts you can build M151A1 with trailer, although I think hardtop parts were not used with A1 trucks, but I may be wrong (photos in Verlinden book prove that A1s were still used by US Army in late 1980s, so it is possible that hardtop was mounted to some of them ).

Rgds,
Pawel

Pavel,
Do you know if the underside floor pan of a M151A2 is the same as you depicted the A1? I can't seem to find any reerance photos of an A2 underside floor pan.

Another great example of your attention to detail. Please keep us posted on your progress

I'm quite sure it is the same as in A1, however it doesn't look exactly as in my model - I simplified it quite a bit. In Wings&Wheels book there is a very good photo of underside of the body of M151A1 during restoration. To accurately depict it you need to use some modeling putty (e.g. Milliput) to sculpt all the rounded shapes - I used a few pieces of flat styrene sheet instead, just to give general impresson of correct shape of underside floor pan.

Rgds,
Pawel

Two photos I had handy of the M151A2 underside:





Gunnie

Pavel and Gunnie,
Thanks for the info, great photos.

You guys are always welcome! Just shout out and someone is usually able to assist...

Gunnie

Yesterday I've found a proof that hard-top was used on older M151A1. Diorama, anyone? :-)



Rgds,
Pawel