Ok well back in the saddle after decades and decided to try modelling again to relax.

I have the Trumpeter ASLAV 3 for main bulld and a Catalina in the mail. So this jeep that I forgot I had is my practice.

I got all the tools I need, sprayed everything grey. Lesson one, cover everything next time. I used a spray can from Mr Hobby 1500 mat grey, the can is in japanese, but I think thats what it was.

I read the instructions for this model were diabolical and so right, so found instructions for orignal version, which have parts numberred and instructions for the Recoilless Rifle etc.

This is a weird Jeep of dreadful quality IMHO, lots of flash and gaps, but some of the detail on parts is very good. The gas tank under the seat is very nice, but gets covered up.

There are a few options, the 1970s retro chrome party jeep, the abulance jeep, the 50 cal jeep, and the RR jeep! Mine also came with 4 toy soldiers and a loose rifle of very good quality and extra guns.

So Ive decided to build the RR version, shove a 50 cal on the front and rear bumpers, a stretcher on the hood, and sandbag and scratch build some armouor for it, I will still have some spares.

Its a Combat Attack Rapid Response Light Armoured Ambulance as invented by me..

I noticed the parts were poor fitting but no drama its practice. To build the engine, you have to use a mix of chrome and plain parts and spray black, very poor fit for everyting, I dropped some part between the decking so just stuck on two parts for effect instead.

My glueing was OKish, the smell is familiar but I needed to use a smaller brush so another lesson learded, I forgot gloves also.

The wheels are a very ordinary fit but not glued yet but when glued will still turn.

I think I have done 1/3rd of the assembly.

So far so good. I need to set up a bench for main project.
Also 2 x glasses from chemist shop are ok I might need 3x its a lot easier. You can see when you are 7 not now.

I am just going to drybrush it with a ten buck paint set when its done. See what I can do.

Another thing, time has not been kind the chrome or other plastic, its all become a bit dry and brittle, I think its a 2002 model. As careful as I was, some pins still broke off.

So far, all I can say is it is neater than I used to do
I need help with posting pics here, cant work it out.

I found an old wooden case, I cam make two dioramas or one with a 3d background, I think the scale is OK for 1/24-1/35

Thanks for sharing your build photos.

Interesting to know that there was a "Hogan's Heroes" Jeep Model kit. I never heard of it. Is it possible for you to post a photo of the box top?

Thanks, it has had a few boxes over the years but this is the one I have.

Hah, ha! Too funny. Clearly AMT trying to cash in on the success of the series. The only vehicles I can ever remember seeing in that show were German; the only Allied vehicles would have been airplanes dropping stuff at night. I certainly can't remember ever seeing a Jeep "from the hit TV show"

Thanks for posting the pic Pbarnes! Wow, I can't ever remember seeing any version of this kit in the stores over the years.

And I totally agree with Mark... I don't think I ever saw a Jeep in Hogan's Heroes; although I could be wrong as I've not watched it recently.

Correct boys, just a marketing ploy.

Okies, its almost done.

Its not until its put together, that I realise this is just a 1970s kit.

The body sits well on the chassis, but the rest is rubbish.
My kit was also missing the clear plastic parts, for windscreen and lights, but no dramas, battle damage will cover al sins.

The rifle and Thompson? look pretty good, but out of scale one more so.
I think the radio same, too big, but the shovel and axe, if not for ejector marks, are a thing of beauty. They go along the drivers side panel in the grooves you can see.

The RR shells, I guess go in the tray horizontal. I would like some scale figures to ho;d the guns as they are also nice. The 50 cal, is not shown. I had it on the front bumper where the light is now, Im thining when I get a figure, I can prop in on windshield on a sandbag.

The stretcher is too big also for this scale Jeep IMHO just a tad. There is one ammo type box not listed in the two sets of instructions I beklieve it is on the srue from another kit. One other box is shown in instuctions as going between struts of RR, simply doesnt fit there.

The RVM had a horrible EPM in the middle of it that was 90% of ther mirror, suxh a shame, so I just used a bit of sprue, actually will look better than part they made when the sides are painted.

The RR, well the idea was OK, but nothing fits and so much flash apart from the turntable that is molded in another plastic.

They give you a transfer box for the steering column, but it has no hole for it and also two pins with no holes to match, I cut em off and stuck it elsewhere..

I wont go on, as this is a practice model.

When I look at my ASLAV, then I can see 40 years of better toolng at work. So Ive just got used to small parts, glue how to set things and what I always remembered, one part at a time, so boring. But good practice for main build, leave small parts off, let cement set, clean flash properly, sand, think, get better glasses, better brush etc etc.

So what have I really learned with this build wbere quality and skill matched? I think I like planes better, tanks second, everyting else third. I think all the enjoyment, relaxarion is in the painting and decorating whicj Ive never done. I guess thats always been the way, but paints are so expensive.

I know for a fact, house paint, car paint, costs 1.50/l to make and sells for 35.00/l, Wholesale 15.00/l retail 35.00/l. Its just a rip off, 4.50 for 15 mil. Watch this space is all I can say.

Also left over is a heap of chrome parts, nice wheel set if anyone else wants them. Also a nice pair of bucket seats with good belts n grey. Some chrome exhausts and piping, a tail gate, chrome lights. Canvas Jeep roof, and some odds and ends.

I think I left one part off and have a few left to stick on.

I will now paint it all black to cover my mistakes. Then green, then add some brown, make up a few sandbags for hood and bumper and have another look then.

Also need better blades, I seen the difference already.

I think when I can relax and get set up properly, I will be OK, this one, would gave been a lot better if I used less glue. No point trying too hard on this one.

Mud, paint, battle damage, is my friend.

I hope this is the type of info that is wanted here, I dont know.

I forgot, the spare Goodyear is missing, but they say you can actually contact the makers and get the spare rubber tyre sent to you gratis. They made a mistake and did not include it in this run. Also, reset that hanging bracket, everything else can be covered up no worries.

Also, shoved the steering wheel as far forward as it will go just peeps above dash, looks OK now, no PS big wheel.

You should have waited until the MPC reissue of the World War two Jeep a couple of years ago. They cleaned up the molds and no chrome parts.

I did one as a 4077 MASH ambulance jeep. There are optional parts to build an early civilian jeep or M38 jeep with tailgate and larger headlights. The recoiless rifle jeep as depicted in the kit would have spare on the side and the ammunition stowed under the gun. But like all kits of this vintage they played fast and easy with authentic details. Like there were no jeeps in Hogan's Heroes but here's a model of one. Here's some cool accessories to add even if nothing like that ever existed.


I only got two because I have such wonderful memories of building it back when it was first issued. It was one of the first kits I actually remember assembling myself.

Thanks for your input mate, much appreciated.

It was and still is such a good show but nothing to market, although the bobbleheads etc, are fantastic.

I hear in the last ten years the ethel mermans have caught on to the show and it has yet another life.

I looked, can buy a Willys Jeep real one 1940s for $3500 up.

Gotta love auto correct. Ethel Merman for German.

Sure $3500, but another $10,000 to get it to run. Vintage vehicles can be cheap to buy but expensive to restore and maintain. I can find a near new T-34/85 for $12,000.

Well its put together, sort of.

Shes pretty rough, I dropped a 50 cal through the decking, had to remove planks and go under, when I was down there I found a steering device too, and a couple of aslav boxes.

It is not advisable to assemnle models.

Outside
On the grass
Walking around
On decking

So I had a play with some montemart el cheapo acrylic paints on a soldier or two, I get the idea, but I really think for 100 smackers, I need to buy an airbrush kit to get me going. Big surfaces, Im no good at, so we wait.

I ended up with all sorts of intentional and unintentional spares, so off to a good start there.

I went and got some tamiya extra thin cement, that helped but my 1970s nad hlue job was largely in place.

I think when its painted, it will look OK, well for me that is.

Ha ha! 😂 I can't say I've ever built models outside on a deck, but I've still lost PLENTY of parts on completely flat and clean work benches and floors. The inevitable loss of parts cannot be stopped, like the the sun rising and setting.

Hehe thanks mate, Ive been painting it, just playing, Im happy so far, a ten vuck p;aint set, and I never painted one before really, although a small Spitfire is coming back to me.

Its been in battle, you see.

When in the National Guard I crewed an M48A5 with a similar paint job.

For those interested by the vehicles that really appeared in Hogan's Heroes series :

http://www.imcdb.org/movie.php?id=58812

H.P.

Glad to see you finished the model. Thanks for sharing and keep it up!