A new kit without tracks! Tamiya SAS Jeep or Willys Jeep:

The old Tamiya kits compared to #35219 is like comparing apples and spaceships.  The new kit is fantastic in every way (is only missing the hood latches).  The old SAS Jeep, which is based on the old Tamiya Jeep, is crude and very clunky.  

The new Tamiya Jeep is a wonderful kit.  Easily the best out there.

Ben

Just to let you know I have been lucky to get this build onto a website http://www.stormthecastle.com/diorama/military-dioramas/jeep-diorama.htm  I have contributed a bit to this site with my models if you want any more information please let me know, I used some German jerry cans mixed in with the ones with the set, as the sas used whatever they could get their hands on, I made my own straps etc. As i said if you want any more information or photos just let me know.

Glen  

Hi Glen,

That looks like a nice little build Sir - top job

After seeing the Willys Jeep and THEN reading that article I knew that it would have to be my first wheeled vehicle. It looks great and plenty small enough to sit on a small base.

I've ben reading a few reviews of the kit and all seems very well with it. A few people have mentioned scratching and adding the 'T' shape hood retainers which I'll do. The magazine article also shows a Jeep with a great scratched deep water wading tube which is another definate. The tea-bag used by the author to obtain a proper textured Canvas hood is also something I'll try - if I fail at that then it's got to be a light, stippled Mr Surfacer used on the canvas.

Other things mentioned include adding wiring etc to the engine but that won't be seen - not being a mechanic or knowing 'not much' about these Jeeps I don't know if additional (visible external) wiring etc would need to be added.

I'm not sure why I'm rattling on on about this future build at present with a two thirds complete Marder II awaiting completion and a complete Tiger I assembly awaiting painting and weathering?

Still, Dad is looking forward to me starting this and I know he'll be a wealth of helpful information having actually owned a real one, be it over three decades ago or not.

Thanks for putting me straight re the SAS Jeep guys. I don't want to put it down but more people than not have found it to be horrible although there are some very good builds of it to be seen. This will be far better for me so a good save.

If anyone knows of GOOD sites that will really assist this up-coming build please pass them on. I reckon the Marder will be complete mid-February and the Tiger mid March. It's going to be a busy few months!

Cheers guys,

Ben

I have just complete this Tamiya SAS jeep and I found it to be a good build.

Glen

Hi guys,

Okay, after looking into the SAS Jeep some more it appears that it may be one for the future-so to speak

Anyway, I have now ordered the new Willys Jeep which does look rather tasty and will look great on a nice base-the figure looks easily paintable too:

I can't believe it but when I opened the magazine this morning that I bought yesterday before going into my LHS to order the SAS jeep they have a great feature on this very kit! i.e. making a decent deep wading snorkel, making a 'gas detection star' for the bonnet and using a tea-bag to make a great texturing for the canvas roof! The order for the SAS Jeep was changed asap!

Spooky! I'm definately looking forward to building this now. Dad has been on at me to build a 4WD for ages as he's a proper 4WD boffin and used to own a US Willys Jeep a few years before I was born.

That WMIK Defender was shown completed on the table at our club meeting the other day and that also looks great.

All the best,

Ben

Yep,

I'd had  a look at the 35219(?) new Jeep and that's the one I'll be ordering. Something with 4 wheels will make for a change at least (can I say that without being lashed) and that figure looks like a simple one that I could paint up fairly well and will sit well on a small base.

I'll be ordering that tomorrow morning but that SAS wagon has some potential imo.

Lasse, I know the pink panther wasn't a bleedin' US Willys Jeep bud but couldn't remember where I'd seen it and had it in my head that it was a version of this long range vehicle

Cheers for the helpful feedback chaps,

• NOTE: I Can't see the rankings against my post count - are you guys able to see them?

All the best,

Ben

I built this kit back in the late 80s. It's certainly not a contest quality build compared to my current work, but it still holds its' age well. I don't think it's a horrible build, but it can certainly stand some updating and TLC. the instructions actually have suggestions on there of how to improve the basic kit such as adding straps on stowage, the third handle on the jerry cans, a line for the condenser, etc. These days the cans are easily replaces with some better ones from an Italeri or Tamiya set or any other maker of your choice. And since no two jeeps were armed quite alike various machine guns from the spares bin can be used. It's an inexpensive fun build and the figures certainly add unique character. Yes they show their age, but they are not to be thrown out. So go watch the opening sequence of Play Dirty for a little inspiration and have fun.

The newer Tamiya jeep kit is the Gold Standard for this vehicle and I think you'd be far happier modifying it to an SAS type...I've built both and the older kit is crude at best...

Hinksy

Sorry Rob,

I've had a quick look and am not sure which the newer one is that you recommend - do you have a Tamiya number?

Btw, the Willys Jeep from Tamiya looks nice - is it nice or is it just another horror! Is it old or newer?

Thanks for your help matey,

All the best,

Ben

Click the link to the Great Models store at the bottom of my post. The kit # is 35219 and is the new (came out late 1990s, near 2000). It is a great kit and I've built one with just a couple of PE parts added.

I've built the kit you show the box art for. It does take a lot of work to get it into a competition, but if you just want to build it, go for it. The kit is circa 1970s and shows. The figures are crude in some places, but if you're a good figure painter, you can make them look nice. Every single Jerry can has only two handles and a third has to be added with stretched sprue or styrene stock.

The Pink Panther cars were Land Rovers, not JEEPs. ;)

This'll be interesting to follow!

I built this kit some time ago.

It needs quite a bit of work, especialy the K guns but in better hands than mine it can be made to look very good.

The figures are not too bad but again some work needed. Hope these pics help

cheers....Kenny

PS.. During WW2 the Jeep was certainly used by SAS, the Land Rover was not produce untill after WW2

Sorry Rob,

I've had a quick look and am not sure which the newer one is that you recommend - do you have a Tamiya number?

Btw, the Willys Jeep from Tamiya looks nice - is it nice or is it just another horror! Is it old or newer?

Thanks for your help matey,

All the best,

Ben

Hmmm,

Looks like I ordered the wrong one. I thought I'd ordered the newer jeep?

I'll contact the LHS and tell them to hold fire until the Tamiya rep comes in and make sure I get the right one!

Cheers Rob,

Ben

That Jeep is ancient, and a horror to build. I did one in 2004 and won an award, but honestly, your best bet is to add the SAS stuff to another Jeep kit, whether it is the old Italeri kit or the even better new (2000s) Tamiya Jeep.

These Jeeps were not pink. Those were Land Rovers used in the 60s & 70s. Paint them desert sand, tan, stone or whatever.

I'll look for photos of my build on my PC and try posting, but it's been a while. They were deleted from where they used to be uploaded when I posted about that Jeep here: /forums/p/21600/211419.aspx#211419 

The AM items you show are not made specifically for that Jeep kit you bought. That conversion was made to turn any available Jeep kit into an SAS Jeep. You'd be spending a lot of money to add nice things to an un-nice kit. When the new Tamiya Jeep came out, it only ran about $14-15. I think it is still under $20 today.

Edit: Yes, $15 at Great Models
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=TAM35219