I have another model question for you guys. I have only been able to find 1/72nd scale models of the Deuce, so I need some more help to narrow my searches down and find the kit that would work best for me.

Anyway they are: Who makes the best most accurate 1/35 or larger scale model kit of a CCKW Deuce & a half? If there is more than one, please give me your take on them (pros and cons). Other points of interest would be interior and engine detail. Does the kit have any to speak of. If not, are there conversion kits for that detail available? Also how flexibile is the kit? Could I make another version if I wanted to (steel cab or soft cab, short bed or long bed, etc)? Are there many conversion kits for those changes? Thank you for any help you can offer.
RC

Tamiya and Italeri each have two 1/35 kits but they may be under the generic term 2.5 ton 6x6 as opposed to CCKW. You should have no problems looking up the reviews of these kits as they are very popular.

Has anyone used Master Productions Resin conversion kits before? It seems they make a few for the Tamiya GMC. Are there any other companies that make conversion kits for the Tamiya or Italeri kit? And are they any good? Thanks for all the help.
RC

Hi there

I made Italeri's 2½ truck some time ago. I replaced the poorly sculpted pioneertool-rack and the machinegun (if you wanto to made the hardtop version with the hatch) with some more decent ones, but other than that building the model were without major problems. No complaints. I cant remeber the level of engine-detail though. I've taking the liberty to add a photo of the model.



I'd recommend it.

Cheers

Simon

PS: "Building, Detailing, Paiting and Weathering Military Vehicles Vol.I" by Verlinden has a chapter with Tamiya's Deuce-and-a-Half using Verlindens update-set

Heller makes a CCKW too. It offers the best prize / quality ratio and comes with split axles, detailed engine and complite tarps incl. doors. The details are exellent. The Tamiya kit is second rated from my point of view. The Italeri kits are more generic but a cheep choice for conversions. There are basically two kits on the market from time to time. A closed water or fuel tanker and a open cargo truck.
Various aftermarket makers offer conversions.
ADV Azimut offer a dumper, radio shelter HO17-A, shelter ST5/6 workshop or LOT 7 .The quality of the three first is good, the lot 7 has problems to match the right scale of the fuel tank and the spare wheel carrier parts.

Master production has some kits to offer too. I had a look in the box of the 4cm bofors- , red cross mobile conversion and the AFCKWX full kit. The only thing wat rejected me from buying them was the high prize. But the AFCKWX will be mine some day

MR Models from germany offers a derrick
Resicast offers a tipper conversion too. A positionable front axle is available too.
Real Model has different conversions to offer and a set of "Wheels with chain for GMC" . But be carefull. I'll never buy a Real Model kit without a look in the box. The casting quality was bad in the past. Missing parts, poor instructions were normal too. Not to forget the high prizes.

Pe-sets are available from Aber and Eduard.

happy modeling
Harald

hey,
you've got many choices here,Tamiya's "duece" #35218 is a decent choice,they also offer a soft cab detail set and cargo supplies sold seperate,it a good build,we just finished ours, using CMK's fuel tanker conversion,tuff build!!CMK's conversion has some issue's!!!
Italeri make three "deuces",open cab cargo truck-#205 , closed cab cargo truck-#218 (this has a large hole thru the roof to access the machine gun mount),and the closed cab water supply tanker-#855,there pretty good also.and siting next to Tamiya's deuce,are fine.What nice about Italeri's deuces,is that they use the same frame/suspension,so after you build the three as-is,you'll be able to purchase more and flip-flop the back ends,where currently building the closed cab water tanker #855,but the water tank wont be put on this one,where putting the cargo bed from the #205,giving us a closed cab cargo,will build the open cab,and put the water tank on that chassis.good simple conversion.you can also build the #855 water tanker, as a russian lend/lease.leaving off the tank (save these parts!you'll need the spare tire rack,if you're going to build the CMK fuel tanker conversion ,some day,CMK chose not to include this major part,and you're not told),and replace it with russian BM-13 rocket launcher,from thier #220 model,giving you a accurate WWII vehicle,even thou Italeri markets thier #220 rocket launcher truck as WWII,it's not!! ,its a ZIS-151,post WWII,production started in 1947
Heller's "deuce" #81121,is a very good build,if you're looking for a solid O.O.B. build,you might want to make this you're first choice.
there's quite afew aftermarket upgrades and conversions,most are abit pricey.CMK's fuel tanker conversion is about the lowest,around $20.00.and thiers also alot of sratch-build projects.you can fill a shelf,just with the simple projects.and thier all alot of fun to build.
Joe

Thank you guys for the help. I wanted a steel cab, but didn't want to have to fill in the hole in the top of the Italeri. I'll also check on that Heller kit. Thank you all again for all the help.
RC

hey,
closed cab is a good build,you'll need the water tanker #855 ,for this,i believe it's currently out of production,but can easily be found on ebay,ive seen them go for $20.00/$25.00 (plus ship) range,but was able to get ours for $12.50 acouple months ago,if you go this route,you'll need thier cargo truck also,but check back with me,i might have a extra,complete cargo bed,we've got five of these "dueces" built,and as mentioned earlier,working on two Italeri's right now,doing the simple flip/flopping back ends right now.,and aleast three more sitting on the shelf.thier fun to build,twice i let the "deucie" slip thru me fingers,county auctioned off thier '51,and then their where two studebaker's(with spare parts),sitting on a farm,inside a clean barn.newspaper misprint,auction stated sunday,but had a saturday date,and we didnt realize this.we showed up on sunday,auction was on the saturday date.
If you need more info on these deuces,check out www.cckw.org ,there members thier, helped us out when we built our fuel tanker conversion.i wish i could add pics of mine to this forum,and others ,plus the gallery/MOM,but they flatout don't showup,my knowledge of computer's is close to zero,so i quit trying.
Joe