Heya, Folks,

I'm looking to backdate the Tamiya M151A2 to an Army M151 during the Vietnam War.

Any tips or suggestions for backdating would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

What was used in VN is actually the M151A1. Split windshield, old style (WWII type) tail lights and turn signals.

Look up the M151A1 on the internet for pictures

Rounds Complete!!

Hi Johnny

This thread should help :

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/124651

Plan B : buy Academy's M151A1

Frenchy

Johnny, There was an article in an old issue of Finescale Modeler where the Tamiya Mutt was backdated to a Vietnam era M151A1. I had planned on doing one for my father but never got around to doing it.

Well that was lucky. I grabbed a handful of old issues of FSM and the one I was talking about was one of them. It's September 1997 Issue. The article is by Brad Liford.

Hope that helps.

I explain all the differences in the above link. It is not hard to backdate it, but much easier to just buy the Academy M151A1. I did it way before the Academy kit was available. With it being so cheap, the Academy option is much better in my opinion.

Thanks, guys, the info and links are very helpful and, much appreciated!

Received a partially-assembled Tamiya Mutt at a club meeting, so the price being right, I'm gonna roll with that, Gino.

Based on pictures I've seen I'm thinking of adding a .50 or possibly a mini gun for the shotgun or passenger position.

Anyone got any interesting pictures of any cool Mutt conversions during the VN War? Looking for cool but relatively easy to model.

Good to hear from you, Frenchy! I hope that life is good. I need to email you soon as the HB EBR-10 has really caught my attention and I would like your feedback on the two versions, what saw combat etc. Always thought that this vehicle was very high on the "cool scale"!

But I digress...

Thanks again, Follks!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

What about a searchlight-fitted one ?



The searchlight is the AN/VSS-1 also fitted to M48s.

Check out this related thread :
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/150278 for pics and informations.

Talking about the EBR, I'm away from my reference stuff for the time being. Just remind me about that in 10 days

Frenchy

Isn't there a kit for the older type available now?

Yup, as I talked about it in my above post. Academy now has a pretty good M151A1 kit available. With it being so cheap, usually less than $20, it isn't really worth it to convert an A2 back into an A1.



The only issue with it is the suspension still being an A2 suspension, sort of. It still has a bit missing from the A2 suspension too. If you want to correct the suspension and underside issues, check this site out and Pawel's M151A1 build.




The standard weapon on an M151 series was an M60 MG. The .50 cal was used on rare occasions, but was found to be too heavy and would crack the lightweight, uni-body frame. I have never seen one with a minigun and imagine it was for the same reason as the .50 cal. I would stick to an M60.

If you're interested in M151s with heavier weapons, USAF Combat Security Police Squadrons are another good subject to consider.

Lots of pictures of heavily armed jeeps (including those with miniguns) here: http://www.vspa.com/vspa-heavy-wpns.htm

Thanks, Joe!

That is an awesome link with some very unique pictures! I agree, the jeep-mounted mini gun photos are great!

With Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Converting a M151A2 to a A1 would be a lot of work. Both front fenders would have to be fabricated, new front and rear turn signals fabricated, new one-piece windshield, different steering wheel. Those are just eh large changes off the top of my head. For armament, a M60 on a pedestal mount would be period.

As I stated above, it isn't that hard to do. I did it long before the Academy M151A1 was available. Now though, w/Academy's kit, it isn't really worth the effort.