The history
The M151 was not a Willys jeep at all. Ford designed it as the Military Utility Tactical Truck, or MUTT, and it first appeared in 1959 with a lightweight semi-monocoque body and independent coil-spring suspension: a big step on from its Second World War predecessors.
The M151A1 followed in 1964, with a revised rear suspension and turn signals on the front fenders. It went to Vietnam in large numbers and turned up in almost every role, including military police patrols.
The build
I originally chose this kit simply because it was inexpensive, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable build.
As expected from Tamiya, the M151A1 went together without any major issues. It was simpler than many of the other models I had built, which made the whole project relaxed and enjoyable from start to finish.
What I did not expect was where it would lead. After finishing this little Jeep, more Jeeps followed, and before long they had become a small collection of their own.
The jeep family
Four generations of the US Army’s light utility vehicle, all built in 1/35.
- Willys MB, 1941 to 1945
- Willys M38A1, the 1950s
- M151A1, Vietnam (this dossier)
- M151A2, Grenada 1983 (dossier coming on 25 October)
- Planned: Willys MB ambulance jeep, Normandy 1944
- Planned: Wasp flamethrower jeep, Popski’s Private Army
