After WWII, there were multiple scams claiming to sell a surplus US Army jeep still in the crate for $50. There were two basic scams. One was where you would go to a dock or warehouse where a couple jeeps in crates were opened for display and there were a bunch of empty crates closed up, presumably more jeeps. You would pay for the crated Jeep and then have to come back the next day to claim it, presumably due to longshoreman's union rules. Of course, the next day, the scam artist who sold it to you is nowhere to be found. The second was an ad in boys mags and Popular Science, etc. that had you sent off your money to get instructions on how to buy them. Basically, they sent you a US Government publication guide on Surplus Sales and where they are located. Again, you have no jeep and they have your money. You can read more about the scams here.

Jeeps were sent overseas in crates though, so that part is correct. They were shipped as individual jeeps (SUPs - Single Unit Packs) and by twos in TUPs (Twin Unit Packs).

Here are some pictures of actual jeeps in SUPs from WWII.




And a reconstructed one, with too much stuff installed on it, but it gives you an idea.



I had heard of these scams and also seen pics of jeeps in crates and thought it would always be interesting to build one. A while ago, I found a laser-cut wooden crate for a jeep on eBay. It is made by CG Laser. It contains the laser-cut wooden pieces for the crate and small parts boxes, resin brake drums and wheel hubs, laser-cut paper for tie down straps, and a nice instruction sheet that tells you how to modify either the Tamiya Willys MB or Italeri jeep kits and how to assemble the crates.

Here is how it looks.


I used the Tamiya Willys MB, parts of an Aber PE set for it, and the CG Laser kit.

So far I have the jeep and the crate done. Here they are so far.






Next up is to paint the jeep and make some decals for the crate. I will be trying out a do-it-yourself dry transfer kit from Papilio Art Supply on the wooden crate since water slide decals won't work on it. We will see how that works out since I have never made my own dry transfers.

On the jeep, I am pretty sure they were shipped with only the serial numbers on the hood in haze blue, as on the Tamiya decal sheet. I don't think any other markings were on them when shipped, such as the hood star. I believe all other markings were applied at the unit level. Does anyone have any other info on markings on them?

As always, all comments are welcomed.

I love this. Keep going.

Great idea

Brilliant; love it!

Looks fantasticmvery nice idea too.
Here in Croatia theres a myth about guys who want to sell you a brick for 20 kn (local valuekuna-app.4$) and if you dont buy it they trow it at you,when you buy it yo u think what shall i do with the brick? Than you trow it on the ground,the guy picks it again and wants to sell it to you again .
Sorry for the OT.
Cheers,Sven!

Very cool build, Gino!

Thanks guys. I hope to get some paint on it and the dry transfer decals made today.

Very original Gino. Shaping up to be a good build, as always.

Thats an interesting story and one helluva unique build. Can't wait to see this finished. Nice stuff Gino.

I, too, have this kit, Gino. I'll be following your build closely. Very, very nice so far.

Thanks for the support guys. I too have never seen one displayed this way. I like interesting and different models, so this is right up my alley. I think I will display it with two of the four walls up and the top off. Like it is being unpacked, maybe with a couple mechanics around it.

Hi Gino, Interesting project you have going here Making real nice progress and you should have a great project once it's finished.

If your thinking about a base how about making part of a ship as a backdrop?

Martyn

Hi Gino. Excellent and original idea. This will be remembered for a very long time! The crate looks the part. Looking forward to seeing it stenciled and weathered.

Great idea it's nice to see a different type of build, should make a for a cool display.

What agreat idea ! I hate to say it but I am old enough to remember the ads.
Thanks for your original idea ! Keep up the great work ! Tom

Gino,

What a great idea! In the 1970s a guy on my street got hold of a genuine Willys MB still in its crate and built it up for use in its factory OD paint. So if you want a truly unique diorama why not built a suburban New York garage in the "decade that taste forgot"?

Tom

You've been spying on my "to do" list, haven't you? I'm planning a "Trailer Park Yards of Moonachie, New Jersey" diorama, complete with cars sitting on cinder blocks.

Thanks guys. I got the stencils on and the jeep painted today. The dry transfers are pretty good. They are not like the commercial dry transfers, more like wet transfers. They have a carrier file, but it is very thin. It took a while to get the words reversed so it can be printed and applied correctly. Once I figured it out, they were pretty easy to apply.

I hope to have some more pics up tomorrow.

Looks great so far Gino.



LOL Joe, I thought I only knew of that place.
Feel sorry for those poor folks, they live on the end of Teterboro airports' runway.
Use to be a really decent bar there, and a hobby shop right down the road.

Nice looking build on a very neat idea. I'll be watching this one.

Are you talking about the sports bar, heading east on Moonachie Ave.?

I worked linehaul for Con-Way Freight, out of Maspeth, to Carlstadt, Port Newark and Newburgh. I was the last vehicle past Teterboro before that private jet ended up on Moonachie Ave. a few years back.

wow..that's something new..same time old..first time i've heard this..thanks for sharing..

Yep, that the bar. Lucky you.

OK back on topic........

Just came across a few more crated jeep pics :

Willys Overland factory in Toledo 1942 :








from this album :
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showgallery.php?cat=2071

Keep on the good work Gino !

Frenchy

Thanks Frenchy, great pics as usual. These will help with the layout of the parts inside the jeep.