"US Airborne HQ Jeep" Topic

Always a bit hesitant about putting up preliminary WIP pics but been asked by a few people about progress
on these.
The Jeeps are just very basic at the moment and the figures are in the first stages
of being adjusted to fit so everything looks a bit rough.
The jeeps are the Airfix Airborne and the Heller/Airfix US jeep.
The figures have been tested for fit in the S-Models and the taleri fast build and fit fine.

L

Don't know about US Airborne jeeps, but British ones had lots of modifications to make them easier to fit into gliders. main ones were cut down bumper bars at each end, removal of all side hand holds, and removal of the windscreen. Not sure about the canvas tilt, and some jeeps had spare wheel moved to the bonnet (hood). Sometimes the tools were removed and mounted behind the front bumper bar, in front of the radiator grille, again to reduce width for glider transportation.
I noticed, these are just prelims, so I'm not criticising, just pointing out, although you're probably aware.
The figures look excellent.

Wow Airfix Jeeps are a lot more expensive than I remember and you don't get a free Buffalo anymore!

JARROVIAN,
Thanks for that. The US jeep is pretty much un modified as the WACO was rather built around the jeep rather than having to be show horned into an existing glider as the Brits had to do.
The jeeps in the pics are barely assembled let alone finished ( wheels are blutacked!). The process of final fitting of the figures so they just pop in as finished figs is hard on a fully asembled jeep at this stage, hence leaving them very basic.

Fred Cartwright, very true though the new one is a delightful little kit.
L

To me, the men seem a trifle large compared to the jeep (or the jeep looks small).

men seem a trifle large compared to the jeep

Well they are Airborne, so they are usually a healthy and fit lot !

link

Can't see much of it – but here is a pic of a US Airborne jeep. The gent in picture was PIR not glider

Hmmn. "Join Facebook or log in to continue".

Bah to that.

oops. Let me find another way
[URL=http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/korvessa/media/Germany3.jpg.html]

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donlowry, I imagine if Leon was to trim the mens bottoms and backs they would probably look much better. (You could always pretend they are 1/56th scale figures in a 1/56th scale jeep lol.)

This is the problem with WIP shots people do make the assumption that its a finished project however much you state that it isnt.Some of the figures are not really sitting properly ( the Thompson guy in particular in the last pic)just being popped in for photos and not properly glued in.
Jeeps are a tight fit in reality and US Paras are 'big' with the amount of kit and 'loose fit' uniform.
L

I imagine if Leon was to trim the mens bottoms and backs they would probably look much better. (You could always pretend they are 1/56th scale figures in a 1/56th scale jeep lol.)

Sadly that would only depress Leon as 1/56 figures in 1/56 Jeeps fit very nicely without any drastic surgery on the poor men's anatomy!

Well always easier if you make the vehicle and the figures in the same design house. You can tweak both sets of designs for a neat fit. Harder when trying to fit in with an already made kit.
The easist way of doing the 20's would have been to cast the seats as part of the figures but thats tricky given the different jeep kit options available and the need to modify the kits to enable cast on seats to fit nicely
I sure hope that jeep isnt moving otherwise the guy in the back is gonna end up having a close encounter with the road surface balanced like that.
L

I sure hope that jeep isnt moving otherwise the guy in the back is gonna end up having a close encounter with the road surface balanced like that.

Actually he seems a bit more solidly braced on this picture. But maybe knowing he is not going to have drastic surgery on delicate bits of his anatomy has made him a bit cocky! :-)

Also not sure the guy in the back of this Jeep holding his rifle up is that secure either. One decent bump could see him in the road too.

Errrrrr Fred think your being just a little unfair comparing a very prelim WIP with a finished model photo'd for advertising purposes……….
I think my instincts about putting up WIP are correct, wont be doing that again.
L

Errrrrr Fred think your being just a little unfair comparing a very prelim WIP with a finished model photo'd for advertising purposes……….

I am pulling your leg Leon! The figures are very nice and well animated and I am sure will be up to your usual standard when finished. But the Rubicon kit does show that "28mm" figures can be nicely proportioned and look good too.

Keep it coming Leon – love seeing your work.

One way the Americans could spot German infiltrators during the Bulge was that there were more than 2 of them in a jeep -- highly unusual for U.S. troops! (I actually read that somewhere, honest.)

This is the problem with WIP shots people do make the assumption that its a finished project however much you state that it isnt. Some of the figures are not really sitting properly

I knew it wasn't a finished product, but you asked for comments…, sort-of.

How do the actual scales compare? The jeep, IIRC, had an 80-inch wheelbase.

One way the Americans could spot German infiltrators during the Bulge was that there were more than 2 of them in a jeep -- highly unusual for U.S. troops! (I actually read that somewhere, honest.)

I have read it too, but not sure how accurate it is particularly during the early stages of the offensive when there were a number of hasty retreats. I should imagine the niceties of Jeep loading were abandoned in the rush to get away.

Not sure what the question is but the Airfix jeeps wheelbase is spot on ( front to rear axle)1.1" at 1/72.
Airborne jeeps, as there were so few of em around for the size of the unit tended to have more than 2 fellas in em thats for sure. Black washed casting do tend to look bigger than the painted equivilent as they are reflecting a lot more light I think is the reason. And of course the pics are x 4 actual size.
Like I said lesson learned.
L

One way the Americans could spot German infiltrators during the Bulge was that there were more than 2 of them in a jeep -- highly unusual for U.S. troops!

Why walk [or run !] when you can ride !?

Not sure what the question is but the Airfix jeeps wheelbase is spot on ( front to rear axle)1.1" at 1/72.

OK, the jeep is to scale, are the men? (Just asking, not accusing.)

I think it will be easier if you just wait till they finished then you'll be able to judge for yourself which will be more reliable info than any I can give you.
Just have a look at some contempory pics when you do to see just how small jeeps are relative to their crews.
L

I think that people are forgetting that 1/72 is not the same as 20mm & that 20mm figures can differ in size from manufacturer to manufacturer.

As far as I am concerned these figures look great as they are & I will definitely be buying them once they are available.

Look great Leon

A query chaps, just been watching A Bridge too Far (and before you ask it was after a 10 hour casting day lol) to looking at jeeps. Noticed in the James Cann bit that he had an wooden stocked M1 Carbine 'clipped' to the bonnet of his jeep. Deos anyone know if this was 'real' or something dreamnt up by Hollywood? Trying to figure out the various bits and bobs that needs to be put in the Jeep crew packs.
L

I believe that is true Leon, but don't think all jeeps may have had that … Scroll thru these pics you'll see some with that "holster" on the windshield … but not all … link

Thank you Legion, seems to the consensus which means I'll have to look at including one in the pack.
L

he had an wooden stocked M1 Carbine 'clipped' to the bonnet of his jeep.

could be fun when engine heat cooks off the rounds in the magazine!

great stuff Leon

cheers
Matt
Mayenne
France

could be fun when engine heat cooks off the rounds in the magazine!

Probably never get that hot ! It is a small engine after all !

Thank you Legion,

Glad to help … I've seen it with that a number of times. However, would not be surprised if some GIs took it off, etc.

These are lovely figures IMHO and I will be definitely buying them when available, together with your prone US paras and Waffen SS snipers.
I only ask that they really fit into the jeeps… I don't glue figures into vehicles then paint, I paint the figures before then put them into the vehicles.

Kungfucius,
Not sure how anyone could glue the figures in and then paint em given the scale…………I certainly couldnt manage it.
All the passangers fit fine without needing mods so far,( in Airfix/Heller US jeep) final tests on other makes of jeeps will be done in a bit.
They are designed with a inverted dome on the underside ( where they sit in/on the jeep)which is designed to accommodate either glue or a piece of blutack. Im sure many will want to be able to take the passengers out of the vehicle ( lazy types, build/paint a duplicate jeep FGS lol [this comment on behalf of Airfix's profits lol]).
Only the driver has to be permanently fixed because of the steering wheel. Its the driver/steering wheel connection thats holding things up. Made one version that works fine but there is a mod I want to try that might make things even easier for end user.
L

Coming in late, will there be a Recon Jeep crew?

Also any chance of of a pack of say 2 or 3 different drivers so I can populate my jeeps tows with drivers

Blacky750,
Ta for the interest.
At the moment there are 6 variants of drivers, not sure how many will make it to the production stage. There are two variations on the HQ jeep crew, a couple of different front passenger seat figures and 6 variants on figs designed for the rear seats/trailer position. A radio fit and various bits of kit. The radio is designed to have a decal front to save painting the instument dails etc. Havent researched if there were armed Para jeeps, forgot about it till this afternoon lol
L

Leon

No worries, you're doing an exceptional job, love the research you are doing, just helps us to know we are getting product with real research

Well looks like the driver conundrum sorted, steering wheel cast with hand on it and complete with sterring column, the wrist of the cast on hand then fits into the empty sleeve on the arm. Works really well so far just need to test the production versions of the wheel will cast ok. Only mod needed is to open out the 'niche' in the dash board a little as the cast column .3 dia larger than the plastic one.
L

Looking good

Leon

Any chance of a US Airborne Ambulance Jeep crew?

Blacky750,
Just putting the painted versions together, before a theoretical flight to Germany tomorrow, so at the moment Ive had enough of jeep crews , been a long haul and Im not at all impressed with my painting……..ran out of primer so used one I normally use for 35th scale vehicles…….not a good choice! Thats my excuse and Im sticking to it!
Pics late next week when back…….or sooner if the drone 'attack' on Gatwick continues lol
Sales of these sets will give us an idea of what else will make a return and yes things have to make at least some money to pay the mortgage.
L

Fair call

Safe trip

Fabulous mate keep up the good work, I am sure that we will buy whatever options you decide to produce.,

have a very Merry Christmas and a great refreshing break.

Cheers
Matt
Mayenne
France

Just testing these pics on here to see what they look like, will add more a bit later.

L

Look good to me!