A learning experience

Well you've whetted our appetites Gary. Yes, it might be a bit clean for the purists, but that's how i used to build them for years. Sometimes I have a hard time weathering and that probably explains how mine never look beat up.

Welcome back to the hobby.

Spick and span for the Surprise inspection!!!  Welcome back to the model too.  I've allways wanted to do a Willy's!!!!  But then again theirs about 100 models that I've allways wanted to do lol.  Nice build.

Worked ok... Welcome back to the hobby..

About the model.. Interesting color choice for the two rubber bumpers on the hood (there to protect the windshield when it's lowered or when the hood is raised..)...

Nuthin' wrong with a squeaky-clean quarter-ton... The Bn Commander's ride, I reckon.. When I was my BC's driver and drove him around in it in cantonement, it was washed, waxed, and the rubber was Armor-Alled, weekly...

The only things not present on his Jeep while we were "in the rear with the gear" were the pioneer tools and Jerry can... Those stayed locked up in the motor pool with the TAMMS Clerk, and the spare was chained and padlocked to the frame).. The 1st Cav was full of thieves and loved "midnight requisitions" from the 2nd AD...

That's a great looking build!

I quite like seeing factory fresh finishes every so often - it's easy to forget that all military vehicles usually start off looking nice and clean.

Please keep posting pics of your future builds

Chris.

i see absolutely nothing wrong with your build. as far as there not being enough dirt who cares. it's all up to personal choice. as long as you enjoy it thatls ultimately what counts. Looking forward to future builds from you!

Hey, they had to be clean at some point in their lives right?  The only thing that jumps out is the star on the hood because of an earlier thread regarding the direction.  I believe the gist was that if the star was on a horizontal surface the star pointed forward and on a sloped surface the star pointed up.  It was noted that many model manufacturers got it wrong in their decaling instructions.  Otherwise it looks like your build came out pretty well!

                                                                                         Pat. 

Hey guys,

First, to all of you that responded, thanks for all the kind words. I'm very encouraged and I do believe I'll be posting more builds as I finish them. I've got a 1/24 FW 190 on the bench right now. I'm really glad to be a part of this forum. I've met some really good people already, but then I always knew that modelers are the best.

Now, for Hans von Hammer: The rubber bumpers are the color called for in the instructions, but I always thought they looked a bit off. If you know what color they're supposed to be please let me know, as I can easily repaint them. Flat black, maybe?

For Shoot&Scoot: I did not know that about the star. The photo on the box, the photo in the instructions and the decal instructions themselves all show the point towards the windshield so that's why I did it that way. I will, however, remember your words and try to do better research in the future to make sure it's right.

Once again, thanks to all that responded. I love seeing photos of other peoples builds posted here so it's a real boost to know that others have liked my work.

Gary

garylee

For Shoot&Scoot: I did not know that about the star. The photo on the box, the photo in the instructions and the decal instructions themselves all show the point towards the windshield so that's why I did it that way. I will, however, remember your words and try to do better research in the future to make sure it's right.

Gary,

I think this is the thread referred to:  /forums/t/130830.aspx

It says that starting sometime in the fifties, the regulations changed and the star was pointed forward.  During WW2, the star pointed back.  Careful Googling let me find this example: http://www.ww2incolor.com/us-army/normandy_001.html.  It's a half-track, not a jeep, but it cleary shows the star pointing back, not forward.

Depending on the time frame of your model, the star might be okay.

And I think your model looks great.

Paul

First off, let me say that that's a great looking build and I would be happy to have it in my collection. Next, let me say that if you're happy with how it came out, that's all that matters, otherwise you're just trying to please the purists on this forum. Honestly, how many of you're friends or family who come over and see it are going to know which way the star should be pointed or what color the windshield support bumpers should be? Modeling is about having fun and building something that looks good to you, bottom line. I'm not a historian and don't claim to be so when I build a model, as long as I like how it looks I could give a rats crapper if anybody else likes it. Keep up the good work and enjoy what you're doing!

Happy modeling!

Hey Padakr,

Thanks for the links, I really enjoyed them. The instructions say this jeep is circa 1944 so it appears the star is on right. I usually build aircraft so I doubt I'll have this problem again. The jeep was a special build for my grandfather and I'm sure he'll love it.

looks real nice,keep posting,and visit often,there's a lot of knowledge here you can benefit by.

Now, for Hans von Hammer: The rubber bumpers are the color called for in the instructions, but I always thought they looked a bit off. If you know what color they're supposed to be please let me know, as I can easily repaint them. Flat black, maybe?

Personally, I'd go with flat dark grey for what's likely gonna be a sun-faded rubber (unless they're treated with a product like Armor-All, like the afore-mentioned BC's quarter-ton got ) ...

I only pointed them out (as an interesting choice of color, not an "incorrect" one) because they kinda "jumped" out at me...  Instructions are sometimes wrong on paint call-outs, especially if the manufactrer used a restoration as a reference...   Yours look like leather, which isn't beyond the point of credibility either...   Drivers will always "personalize" their mounts, even if it's just a little thing...  Like taking a rifle sling and making leather bumpers...

However, it's ultimately your call... I only point things like out when someone asks, "whatta ya think?", and then I only answer based on personal knowlege....  I mean, that's what they're askin' for.. (right, 'Duke?)

I'm no "purist", as I myself use a lot of fictional markings from spurious units on my models, unless I'm depicting something historical in my dioramas (meaning, that it actually happended and to this crew/driver/pilot) or when doing a commision gig... Keeps the Rivet Counters at bay, ya know..  But if someone wants to know, then I'm all about helping 'em out with whatever reliable info I have... 

At the same time, giving someone "artistic license" doesn't mean that "anything goes", unless that's the intent of the builder..  It's the same way with scratch-building and being a "Creative Gizmologist"... While Gizmology makes it possible to re-create the general shapes of things not easily seen or included in a kit, it does not give one license to conjour up fictional stuff outta thin air and the parts-box.. It just allows you to give the impression that, "there's something important down there"...

Those that disagree with that can do so freely but nevertheless they are, whether innocently or not,  "enablers", rather than "supporters", IMHO... The whole, "if you're having fun, then forget what anyone else thinks" thing stops when you ask for opinions and observations... I know that I always ask, simply because I need at least one other set of eyes on the subject I've been staring at too long.. Need a fresh perspective...

Constructive criticism is something we ALL can use from time to time...  It also allows for growth in the hobby...

Wouldn't you agree, 'Duke?

Hans von Hammer'

Thanks for the tip. Flat dark grey sounds much better to me than the tan called for in the instructions. I did not take your comment as a criticism. I wanted opinions and anyone that can help me make my models look better is always free to speak up. I know manufacturors can get it wrong. My Airfix 1/24 FW 190 calls for wheel wells in interior green, but every single reference I can find shows them as a dark grey, so I went with that. I think it looks much more accurate in grey. So keep giving pointers. I need all the help I can get. Now if you could just tell me where to get some 1/24 decals of Emil Lang's "Black 7" ...

padakr

garylee:

For Shoot&Scoot: I did not know that about the star. The photo on the box, the photo in the instructions and the decal instructions themselves all show the point towards the windshield so that's why I did it that way. I will, however, remember your words and try to do better research in the future to make sure it's right.

 

Gary,

I think this is the thread referred to:  /forums/t/130830.aspx

It says that starting sometime in the fifties, the regulations changed and the star was pointed forward.  During WW2, the star pointed back.  Careful Googling let me find this example: http://www.ww2incolor.com/us-army/normandy_001.html.  It's a half-track, not a jeep, but it cleary shows the star pointing back, not forward.

Depending on the time frame of your model, the star might be okay.

And I think your model looks great.

Paul

Yup. that's the one!  I googled WWII pics from the Normandy landings to the end of the war and found stars pointed forwards, backwards and even one sideways on a vertical surface!  Maybe not everyone got the notice when stencilling these things.

http://www.stugiii.com/images/US_Vehicle_Markings.pdf

                                                                                                    Pat.

Oh I so want that :)

Would you give it to me pretty please :)

It would look excellent next to my Dragon 72nd and Tamiya 48th and 35th scales.