Enter keywords or a search phrase below:
Hi, All. I am back in action after a year off while we transitioned to retirement.
I am planning to build a M151A2 TOW jeep to honor my brother's service as a company commander in the 82nd in 1980-1981. He was CO of E Co, 504th PIR (which, as I understand it, was organic to the regimental HQ and not part of any battalion). I am using the Tamiya kit, and the plan is to have the jeep painted in camo colors, and be flanked by unit crests from the 504th (on green felt, representing his green tabs of command), the 82nd, with his Master Parachutist wings on top.
Two quick questions: Anyone know of an after-market TOW launcher in 1/35th so I don't have to deal with two halves and a seam line in the launcher?
Anyone have a good source for basic black decals in 1/35th so I can build the right bumper numbers? And by the way, anyone have a good source for the TO&E for the 82nd in those years? While he suspects something, he does not know what I am doing and I want it to be a surprise.
Cheers, Bob
Legend does a few TOW sets, but I think they are all more modern. You could proabably use the launcher parts from them though.
Legend TOW sets: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=1%2F35+llegend+tow&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=1%2F35+live-resin+tow&LH_TitleDesc=0
The basic M151 kit could use some work as well. Here is an article I did about the Tamiya versions vs. the Academy versions. Both have good and bad parts to them. In my opinion, combining both is the best bet. I also prefer Academy's TOW parts over Tamiya's.
M151 Article: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=features&file=view&artid=5114
For the bumper numbers, I recommend getting some computer decal paper and printing them yourself. It is easy and allows you to make any markings you want.
Good luck and be sure to post here as you get going.
Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!
Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
AFV Club also makes a nice set with a TOW and 106mm Recoilless Rifle. The TOW in the link from Heavy Arty is the newest style, TOW 2, and not appropriate for 1980. TOW-2 came along in the mid 80s. And used the AN/TAS-4A thermal sight with a different configuration. The original ITOW thermal AN/TAS-4 night sight was just entering service in 1980. So you may way want to use the Tamiya kit basic sight. It does not include the thermal sight.
You may also want to look on a 3-D printing site like Shapeways, and see if they offer a 1/35 TOW launch tube for a seamless part.
F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!
U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!
N is for NO SURVIVORS...
- Plankton
LSM
Thanks, Gino. I will post progress pics, once I get underway. Good to hear from you. cheers, Bob
I noticed the sight difference right away, but I am less clear about differences in the launch tube. I'll investigate. I guess it will boil down to "is cleaning the seam worth the cost of the replacement?"
cheers, Bob
RCH73 I noticed the sight difference right away, but I am less clear about differences in the launch tube. I'll investigate. I guess it will boil down to "is cleaning the seam worth the cost of the replacement?" cheers, Bob
I was a TOW gunner from early 84 to late 87 and trained on TOW, ITOW, and TOW 2. The launch tubes, tripod, T&E unit, and daysight was the same on all three systems. The main differences were the night sight (none on basic TOW, different versions on the other two), and the MGS ( the box that is the brains of the system). The earliest TOWs had a longer launch tube, but those went away in the 70s. Even looking at the videos of the TOWs in use currently in Syria, the launch tube looks the same as what I used back in the 80s.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.