Just bought Academy's new Vietnam era Jeep. I will be finishing it up soon, and I want to turn it into a Gunjeep. Iam planning on makeing it into one from the 541st. Co.

Any tips on cutting steyrene for the armor? Anything else?

BTW, iam also looking for a driver for the vechile. The vechile is going in a diorama and it needs one. Iam working on a M-60 gunner and maybee a pasanger. Anything?

thanks,
Mike

Gunnie is the resident Gun Truck expert.

I do have a set of the Verlinden M151 armor plating set, I can e-mail a scan of the set for you, it may help in cutting your styrene.

Thanks Rob, I know gunnie is the GT master around here. He's helped me out a few times. BTW I saw that set on eBay the other day dono how good it is? IF you wouldnt mind I wouldnt mind seeing the Conv. The pic on eBay only shows the finished model

Heres my email address
[email protected]

thanks,
Mike

Mike - when I do mine, I use a template I drew on paper. I cut it out, and trace the pattern on .010" or .005" styrene sheet for trimming. Basic plastic scribing techniques apply here: take your time and use a new #11 X-Acto Blade. One pass for .005" and two for .010" styrene is usually enough to cut away your part.

There were a couple of different styles of armor plating for the Gun Jeeps - as I'm sure you know. The Verlinden suggested pattern closely resembles what photos showed "California Dreamer" wearing. There were early M151's that had no armor plating at all, to some having simple sandbag armor in place of the windshield and on the floor of the Jeep, and all the way up to the enclosed configuration mentioned above.

I'd suggest, that if you model any M151, be careful to assemble the rear suspension so as not to have the rear of the Jeep sitting on the rear wheels inside the wheelhouse/fenders - just looks terrible whether your modeling a "fantasy" G/T or following photos of one that saw service in Vietnam. Also remember that the M151 is a lightweight vehicle - be careful in loading "extra" goodies into and upon it. M151's in "overloaded" condition weren't the norm in this mission. Have fun! I like the Gun Jeeps because they were bantamweight fighters, they look cool sitting next to their 'big brothers'...

Gunnie

Mike, Check your mail for some info on these guys.

Scans on the way.

Thanks Al, and Rob. Both are nice photo, and will both help me out alot.

Gunnie thanks for the tip. I dono if I know what you mean about the back wheels. Build them so there not right under the frames? A little more space? Glad you menioned the part about all the accessories. I was thinking of having 8-9 30cal. ammo cans, 1 20mm can, 1 C-ration. M-16's for passengers/driver/gunner, and some sandbags.

Thanks again,
Mike

The above photo is an example of what I'm talking about - adjustments to the rear suspension to give the truck a better "sit". Commonly, M151 models assemble with a noticeable droop in the rear - both Academy and Tamiya - new and old. The rear wheels literally come into contact with the insides of the wheelhouse - and that's bad. I didn't want to link any other model M151 photo and wind up insulting the modeler trying to illustrate the point. Dry-fit and make sure when you assemble the model kit that there is enough clearance between the wheels and the body.

Your loading "plan" sounds good, like what one might find on a fully-loaded jeep escort.

Gunnie

Thanks for the pic. gunnie. Wish I could see it better. I think my sis. messed up the resolution, and the brightness on the comp. so the pics. are a little dark. But I get what you are trying to say. I'll have to check back in tommorow to see If I can get it any clearer.

thanks,
Mike

Ok the color/brightness has ben fixed so now I can see the pics. better. I know see what you mean about the tires and the bottom of the jeep/mut.

Jim the template idea sounds great ! I just dont know how high to make it. etc. I have a few pics of the gunjeeps downstairs i'll try to scan you a few it you would like.

thanks
Mike