Author Topic: Willys MB Jeep - More Plastic Upgrades 200131  (Read 116231 times)

Rubicon Models

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #30 on: February 20, 2016, 12:03:53 am »
Pinky, there are several variations of the SAS Jeep.  We have 3 hard cover books on the Jeep, and each volume had different configurations.  We are using the one which is most common.

There are also limitations on how the mould can be done, considering the thickness and size of these parts... the jeep itself is already very small.  Therefore we sometimes had to compromise on some design feature.  Also, 3D drawings with and without perspective will make the view look strange as well.

We also wanted to get the whole jeep (excluding the jeep body) to be on a single sprue, some parts had to be grouped together to form a single piece; otherwise will either be too fragile or too small for an average gamer to put the vehicle together.  We will wait until we get the 3D prototype printed, then we can decide what to change before mould making starts.

;)

Rubicon Models

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #31 on: February 20, 2016, 12:32:02 am »
Here is another example of the possible choices you can do with the jeep... it is just a matter of available parts (particularly MGs) that are included on the Jeep sprue.







Comments welcome!
;)

ripley

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #32 on: February 20, 2016, 09:28:57 am »
If the kit comes with a couple of twin Vickers as well as a 50 cal and a single Vickers ( or 2 ) I think most variations can be modeled . I think some of the problem with using  war time photos in books as reference is that more than a few are miscaptioned . Stating a vehicle is SAS when in fact , a closer look using a magnifying glass  , the shoulder flashes on the troops  are for Airbourne  . True these vehicles tended to be swapped around depending what unit needed them for the next mission , and they didn't always get repainted .   

Rubicon Models

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #33 on: February 20, 2016, 11:04:37 am »
ripley: By looking at photos on books and the internet, we come to the same conclusion; plus many are custom modifications with field available resources just before an operation started.  Our plan is to include as many parts as possible so that gamers and modelers can choose what to attach to the jeep depending on needs (gamer or modelling wise).

At this point, fitting everything onto a single sprue with two or three crews is already a HUGE challenge!

Pinky

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #34 on: February 20, 2016, 02:25:34 pm »
Pinky, there are several variations of the SAS Jeep.  We have 3 hard cover books on the Jeep, and each volume had different configurations.  We are using the one which is most common.

Yes, there were variations (as you'd expect from rugged individualists like the SAS - and of course the improvised nature of the conversions).  There are actually relatively few photos of late war SAS Jeeps - most are the more familiar desert version immortalised by the Tamiya kit.  And those that exist aren't always very clear.  The version in your first set of drawings, however, doesn't seem to be the most common.  There is one very clear photo of an SAS Jeep with front armour similar to your design, but the rear armour is still different (and if you think about it, it would be much easer to attach armour plate to the rear of the Jeep than somehow attach it to the edge).  Most photos also show a different layout for the front gunner's position.  Maybe this was modified by the crews so the gun could rotate?

Your second set of drawings depicts a bit of a mixture of features.  The HB version of Browning .50 cal appeared on LRDG vehicles later in the war, but they don't seem to have used the spare fuel tanks.  SAS Jeeps in the desert used the earlier version of the Browning, with a lighter barrel (I explained this in my earlier post).  I'd suggest that would be more appropriate.

I can't post any photos to illustrate what I mean, as for some reason I get an error message whenever I try to attach an image.     

Quote
We also wanted to get the whole jeep (excluding the jeep body) to be on a single sprue, some parts had to be grouped together to form a single piece; otherwise will either be too fragile or too small for an average gamer to put the vehicle together.  We will wait until we get the 3D prototype printed, then we can decide what to change before mould making starts.

Totally understood - things like the armour plate will have to be simplified in this scale to be practical.  Although you've gotten pretty good at producing quite complex shapes as a single piece!

If the kit comes with a couple of twin Vickers as well as a 50 cal and a single Vickers ( or 2 ) I think most variations can be modeled . I think some of the problem with using  war time photos in books as reference is that more than a few are miscaptioned . Stating a vehicle is SAS when in fact , a closer look using a magnifying glass  , the shoulder flashes on the troops  are for Airbourne  . True these vehicles tended to be swapped around depending what unit needed them for the next mission , and they didn't always get repainted .

It appears that it was the SAS Jeeps which had the additional armour.  Airborne vehicles were stripped down (as I mentioned in my previous post), but the recce version often had additional guns fitted. 

For what it's worth, I agree that if Rubicon include a single and paired Vickers K mount and a Browning .50 cal (preferably the early version), it would cover most options for the early and late versions.  A Bren gun mount would be good as well.  That just leaves the armour plate, spare fuel tanks and revised grille.  However, I'd guess that including crew for both desert and NW Europe versions would take up a lot of space on the sprue.   

Rubicon Models

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #35 on: March 06, 2016, 11:44:37 am »
This is the 3D prototype of the planned one piece mould Willys MB Jeep body.
Not the final version as some of the features will be taken out before mould making!


Enjoy!
;)

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #36 on: March 06, 2016, 04:49:12 pm »
Excellent.

chrismanu87

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #37 on: March 06, 2016, 11:16:39 pm »
Looks good.

stevepalffy

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #38 on: March 07, 2016, 10:52:21 am »

Rubicon Models

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep
« Reply #39 on: March 08, 2016, 11:39:13 pm »
This is the 3D prototype of the US Version of the Willy MB Jeep, will post the Commonwealth version later...















Enjoy!
;)

airborne

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep - Updated 160308
« Reply #40 on: March 09, 2016, 04:32:30 am »
Very nice She`s going to be a real gem, love the body and the petrol tank reserve well. At  what time do you add the brake lights. It`s just so correct.
« Last Edit: April 25, 2016, 02:36:56 am by airborne »

stevepalffy

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep - Updated 160308
« Reply #41 on: March 09, 2016, 09:46:35 am »
 ;D
looking great !
these are eagerly awaited !

Pinky

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep - Updated 160308
« Reply #42 on: March 09, 2016, 10:24:04 am »
Very nice.  Looks like another winner.  Have you included your usual 'stengthened' axles?  I like that feature on the Opel and M8. 

Incidentally, the 'pole' that the machine guns are mounted on is known as a 'pedestal'.

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep - Updated 160308
« Reply #43 on: March 09, 2016, 04:45:46 pm »
Looking great.

Especially looking forward to the Commonwealth variants.

How are the figure sculpts going?

Rubicon Models

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Re: Willys MB - The Jeep - Updated 160308
« Reply #44 on: March 09, 2016, 04:57:17 pm »
How are the figure sculpts going?

Have the templates done, but not the actual sculpts.  Need to finish all outstanding figures for the 250/251 first.  Probably towards the end of March...  ;)