Willys MB Jeep - More Plastic Upgrades 200131

[ripley]

Tamiya couldn't use Jeep or Opel Blitz on their kits due to licensing issues . They have even changed the company names on the rubber tires of the kits ( Tigers / Panthers ) due to licensing and the fact that some companies today , do not want to be tied in with the fact they supplied the Germans in WW2 , 70 odd years ago .  Although you can get AM photo etch from various companies with the Opel and Jeep names / logos  , weather this is in partnership with the trade mark owner , I don't know  . I know from my model railroad days any truck or box car  with Coke on it cost about three times as much as any other company logos .I think at this scale I would rather  have vehicles with generic logos to keep down cost .

[stevepalffy]

Yes....dont worry about the logo....the 4x4 LIGHT UTILITY (Jeep) vehicle was produced by several manufactures....
Looking forward to several of the SAS /LRDG ones....already have a photography base made.

[ultravanillasmurf]

@Steve - nice base, especially the paved area, what did you use?

@Ripley - for more insanity a certain company with a colour scheme similar to the aforementioned purveyor of sticky caffeinated drinks charges for their logos etc to be applied to the trains they get paid to run. More licencing...

[Pinky]

I did a bit of looking.  It would appear that, as a result of marketing of the 'Jeep' brand in connection with products beyond just actual vehicles (including toys), it was considered necessary to stop companies like Tamiya from using it in the context of plastic kits.  I couldn't find confirmation that Tamiya had a licence to use the name 'Jeep' previously.

[ripley]

IRC both Tamiya and Bandi used the Jeep name on their 70s kits . I think its just in the last 20 or so years the bean counters and lawyers got involved and tightened things up . B@sterds ! 

[stevepalffy]

Guys...thats why Tamiyas 1:48 scale 4x4 light utility vehicle is labelled as that and slipped in a box of US infantry.

[Pinky]

I see from Warlord's Facebook site that they have some plastic US Airborne troops in the works.  They are likely to be popular.   I'd suggest it would be worth looking into adding a bit of Airborne flavour to this kit.  The US Airborne used armoured Jeeps, but that's too much to include.  Maybe just a couple of basic additions, like an optional Paratrooper head for the driver, a wire-catcher on the front and a tarpaulin-covered windscreen - as well as US Airborne decals. 

[Rubicon Models]

Not much work had been done to new projects because of an OEM job in progress. 
Also trying to wrap up follow up work on the upcoming new releases! 
Here is some digital work being done on the Jeep...




Enjoy!

[chrismanu87]

Perfect.

[Pinky]

Agreed - the canvas effect looks very convincing.

[Yaquir]

Very,very good!

[ripley]

Looks great

[airborne]

The canvas hood and side screen is top work, but the ace in the hole is that windscreen cover with the rifle holder brilliant . So looking forward to these.

[von Klinkerhoffen]

Another excellent kit!

[Rubicon Models]

Not much of an update to the jeep, still waiting for the digital sculpt to finish.
Here are some WIP sculpts... same pose, but different uniform (the jeep is for position only).





Any comments?