Heya, Folks,

I have an old Monogram M29 Weasel kit and was thinking it could be a fun, semi-simple project. The font on the box is typically funky 70s and the kit is complete with a black and white Shep Paine diorama mini sheet. This is definitely taking me back to my childhood --- at some point I want to scan those color and black and white diorama sheets and put them all on a disc.

Looking to keep it quick and simple (too many other long-term projects in the chute), I wanted to add a few minor improvements to it. Not looking to do anything major --- just a few upgrades. My thoughts are: upgrade the radio (can anyone tell me what the radio set is?) The pioneer tools, head lights and maybe some mesh for that raised (rhombus-shaped) grill behind the troop compartment. Anything else?

Going to model this as an Iwo Jima Weasel in three color camo.

Now, if only we had a brand new kit of this vehicle in styrene! Hey, Italeri, Trumpeter, what do you say?

Thanks in advance! And Happy Thanksgiving!!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Johnny;

I am almost finished with my Weasel which I am doing as a NW Europe vehicle (Scheldt and Rhine). I did have some seam filling that was a minor nuissance. You can also remove the radios and place a pintle mount for a .50cal. There are pictures on the net of such vehicles. I don't know which version was more produced. The pictures of the British operated vehicles seem to not have guns or radios. which would be the so-called cargo version. The seats still seem to be present.

Mike T.

Hi
I've just finished my Weasel as you decribed in USMC 3 colour scheme ( Oops just remembered it's only 2 colours )as for Iwo Jima. I have built it on a small diorama being loaded into the back of a 2 1/2ton truck. I'll take some pic's & post them.
As for upgrading of it. I replaced the boat hook with one that I made from a cocktail stick with a small hook for the end. I also made some miliput seat cushions. I also did some remodelling of the drivers area dials etc & new drivers gear/stearing levers before using Archer transfer for the dials. The biggest problem I found was the tracks they are horrible but not much you can do about them. As mine was going to be covered in a lot of mud I wasn't too worried about the tracks & wheels in the end.
On the whole the kit went together well without much filling considering its age. Some of the detail is a little soft by todays standards. But it was a nice build & I'm very pleased with the result.
So enjoy your build.

I built one back in '93 and had a lot of fun with it. Not a bad kit at all.

I built a new Shelf and put a VP Radio Set on it. The VP Radio Set is a little bit big for the scale, it seems, but looks nice with the Weasel. I redid the seats too. I used brass mesh for the Muffler Guard - and made a new one with exhaust line for good measure. I also made new Steering Paddles and Linkage. I added Instrument Panels, Tie-Downs and a Fire Extinguisher. I replaced the Splash Vane with lead foil too - it helped.

The only thing I didn't do was to replace the running gear - by far the weakest part of the kit. But you can work with it and still produce a really nice Studebaker with it. One day, I'm going to do another Weasel...

You've got some nice ideas coming in. I have a book on the vehicle so ask me any questions and I'll help out with references.

My first question is if they were used on Iwo Jima. The vehicle was not used that. I'll check and update the thread.

Building Weasels would be a nice campaign or group build subject - an inexpensive but fun subject that hasn't been overdone...

Hey Johnny B,
I would have thought you'd do it as a French "Crab" in Indochina.
Can't wait to see some pics of what you guys have been doing. I've been wanting to pick up this kit to use with the Bison Indochina decals.
-Sherb

Just posted about 20 photos to a reference gallery.

M 29

Thanks for all the input, Guys,

As always you are all beaucoup help!

Michael and Shaun, would love ta see your Weasel dioramas! And yeah, Shaun, I think I'm stuck with the tracks --- not like there's a Fruil set waiting in the wings... :O

Jim, I will probably follow suit on some of the modifications/replacements you made. What did you use to replace the wheels?

Heya, Scott, looking at Steve Zalogas "US Amtracs and Amphiabians at War 1941-45" pg. 64 has two pics of USMC Weasels on Iwo Jima. I also recall another pic of one whizzing by the camera at speed, but haven't found it yet.

Yeah, Sherb, no kidding, bruddah --- sacrilege that I am not tackling it as a Vietnam subject! I sure thought about doing it as an Indochine Crabbe, but wanted to go with my other favorite modelling subject, USMC WWII. Maybe if I ever run across another one at a good price --- I had picked this one up at a swap meet new in the box for $10.00 some years ago --- I might go that route...

Surprised Dave Harper never did a resin kit of it --- maybe Dave or Italeri (still at the top of my list for doing off beat but much-wanted subjects such as the DUKW and LVT series not to mention the 1/35th scale PT boat) or Trump might someday tackle this one. Sure wouldn't take up much shelf space at Jan's back in NYC or any other LHS.

Speaking of Italeri --- man that E boat sure looks nice, but even with a discount, you are looking at close to $200.00! Oofah! That's some serious bucks, especially in this economy... Personally, I'd rather they came out with an LVT-3 or a "Marianas Model" LVT-(A)4 or the LVT-2 with flame thrower or rocket racks... Given the potential price difference, I would venture that those kits would have had a better chance at selling at a higher volume.

And lastly --- I feel like I am giving an Oscar speech here --- thanks a bunch, Dave, for posting those pics! They will be extremely helpful!

Again, I'll probably do some minor additions (like I am currently doing on my Hobby Boss V100/M706) to the Weasel, but nothing too involved... Got a three year old boy on the war path who gets the lions share of my time energy and I don't want another project that will go on for months and months. (like the M548 Gun Truck I am starting with out the actual Gun Truck kit which will probably take a couple of months)...

Anyone know if the Monogram Weasel kit is true 1/35th scale? I am thinkng of Jim's comments about the Verlinden radio set being too big...

Boy, I remember building this sucker like 30 years ago --- even the instructions are taking me back!

Thanks again , Folks!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

You're spot on. I read the chapter on the weasel last night and the M29 was deployed in the PTO so Iwo is good. It was used primarily as a supply mover after it didn't make it as a special ops vehicle in the snow.

I'd actually measure and scale out the kit. Monogram kits from waaay back were typically not quite accurate on scale. It's worth a look.

Hello Johnny
Here's a couple of pic's of my diorama. There are about another 15 on photobucket if you click on the link. I forgot that I also made new headlight guards using old foil from a takeaway tin.


photobucket link.
http://s377.photobucket.com/albums/oo218/muddyfields/M29C%20Weasel/

johnny,
I have just picked up this kit on ebay for £7.00 and I'm going to do it as a French Indo-China version using the Bison decals. I may place it going through some reeds to hide the tracks?
I hope this kit turns out ok because I had almost succumed and paid out mega bucks for the Eagle CZ resin kit which looks like this.

What are you going to replace the pioneer tools with and the head lights?
David

Wow! Great work, Shaun --- that is a truly inspired diorama! And it is always nice to see something truly different --- nicely done!

Mike, the Eage CZ kit looks sweet, but like the movie said, "Too beaucoup!!" Nice going snagging the Monogram chestnut. I'm just going to raid the spares box for some pioneer tools and headlights, replace or thin out the headlight guards and thin out the splash guard, and add a new radio set... Heading down to 29 Palms to see my Uncle today --- he did some upgrades on the kit as well, adding a .30 on a pintle mount, so I'll eye ball that as a likely addition as well.

Regards and Much Aloha,

Johnny B.