ModofWar

M151A1 MUTT, Vietnam

The M151A1, the version that went to Vietnam, built from Tamiya’s 1/35 kit with its canvas top up.

Recon patrol of Company A, 720th MP Battalion loading onto a quarter-ton truck, Vietnam, 1968
720th MP Battalion, Vietnam, 1968. Photo: US Army, public domain
1/35 M151A1 MUTT scale model with canvas top
The model, 1/35

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.

Finished M151A1 with canvas top, three-quarter view
Canvas top up
Front of the finished M151A1
The front
Side view of the M151A1
From the side
Rear of the M151A1 with spare wheel
Spare wheel at the back
M151A1 and M151A2 on the workbench
On the bench

The jeep family

Four generations of the US Army’s light utility vehicle, all built in 1/35.

The M38A1, M151A1 and M151A2 models side by side
M38A1, M151A1 and M151A2

Paint and colour reference

Area Historical colour Model paint Reference
Body / vehicle exterior Olive Drab Tamiya XF 62 Olive Drab Modeller choice Used on this build
Used instead of the kit's TS-28 spray recommendation.
Body / vehicle exterior Olive Drab 2 Tamiya TS 28 Olive Drab 2 Kit instruction Suggested alternative
Kit instruction recommendation; not used on this build.
Canvas top Khaki Drab Tamiya XF 51 Khaki Drab Kit instruction Used on this build
Used for the canvas top
Tyres NATO Black Tamiya XF 69 NATO Black Modeller choice Used on this build
Used for the tyres instead of Flat Black.
Wooden tool handles Red Brown Tamiya XF 64 Red Brown Kit instruction Used on this build
Used on the shovel handle and similar wooden details.
Steering wheel, instrument details and black components Flat Black Tamiya XF 1 Flat Black Modeller choice Used on this build
Used on the steering wheel, instrument/gauge details and other components requiring a solid black finish. Tyres were painted separately with XF-69 NATO Black.

Source: Tamiya 35334 instructions

Sources

  1. Wheeled Fighting Vehicle Data Sheets — M151 1/4-ton utility truck (D. R. Haugh, 2006; M151-series data) Other
  2. Tamiya 35334 — U.S. Utility Truck M151A1 “Vietnam War” Website

Specifications of the real machine

Specification Details
Model Ford M151A1 MUTT
Country United States
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company (design)
First service M151: 1959; M151A1: 1964
Crew 1 driver + 3 passengers
Length 3.35 m (132 in)
Width 1.60 m (63 in)
Height 1.80 m (71 in), windscreen up
Wheelbase 2.16 m (85 in)
Weight 1,108 kg empty; 1,471 kg loaded
Engine 4-cylinder in-line petrol, 71 hp at 4,000 rpm
Transmission Manual, 4 forward / 1 reverse
Maximum speed 96.5 km/h (60 mph)
Range 483 km (300 mi)
Fuel capacity 67 l (17.7 US gal)
About this model

Built in May 2026 from the Tamiya M151A1 “Vietnam War” kit (35334), finished with the canvas top fitted.

Build sheet

Kit
Tamiya U.S. Utility Truck M151A1 "Vietnam War"
Kit number
35334
Scale
1/35
Paints
Tamiya acrylics: XF-62, XF-51, XF-69, XF-64, XF-1 (see the paint table)
Decals
USMC 3rd Marine Division, Vietnam

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Discussion

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