Hi Group,

I had a lot of fun with Monogram's Weasel decades ago. I found a cheapy at a show and grabbed it. I finally built it, about 95% OOB. There are a few forum threads about this model around Armorama concerning how good a kit it is, and what it would take to make it good. I decided to build it OOB as a classic kit.

Here is the review: Monogram Weasel

Hope you enjoy the ol' weasel.

I had one as a kid. It was cool. Bought another one as an adult and struggled to put it together. Lost or broke several parts. Other than that it was a nice stroll down memory lane.

Is the Weasel 1/35 or 1/32 scale? Or somewhere in between?

In between but leaning toward the 1/32 side is my observation (opinion) of the kit I have on my shelf.

All the best,
Brian

All of the original Monogram armor was 1/35: Weasel, halftracks, jeep, 6x6 truck, and M48. The second group (Panzer IV series, M3/M4 series, Sd Kfz 232, M8) were 1/32.

KL

Hi Kurt,



Any idea as to why it was changed from 1:35 to 1:32?

Thanks,
Joe

Looks good Fred. I have always liked that little kit. I got my start in modeling with those old Monogram kits. They will always have a fond place in my heart.

Thanks for sharing.

Randy

your build looks great.i have built the same kit befor and have one more to build nice kits.

Thanks guys,

I've got a review ready to post. In the mean time, I'll post some of the build steps.

The raised ejection circles need to be carved away or you will have this nice gap.


The rear upper hull is slightly concave. I discovered that while sanding away the seam line.


The front needs TLC, too.


I built this mainly OOB but just couldn't leave that muffler guard alone. I glued mesh around it.


Here's how it looked after the base coat of Tamiya X-62 OD was modulated by splatter-painting the wet OD will several greens and a khaki.



Those molded-on tools will need some help with painting. I scribed around them.


I did not like the swaths of tannish OD so I splattered it again with some dark green.


The windshield wipers need a workout.


Here it is with my HO-1/87 Weasel.

So...it's either 1/35, or leaning towards 1/32. How does it look with 1/35 figures? If you stick a gun barrel on it, will it be as big as a 1/35 Sherman??

Fred,
Love your weasel. I really like what you did with the weathering. I built one for the Best of Both Worlds campaign last year. I still haven't got the weathering done for mine. I ran into the same issues you did with the kit. I went OOB too except for the muffler. For it I went with a short section of sprue painted rust with a screen mesh cover of 1/72 scale chain length fencing that looked good to my eye.

As for the question about the figures, 1/35 fit fine. I converted some old Tamiya seated figures and they fit pretty good but I had to leave the radio out of the back to give any foot room.
HTH
John

Hi Biggles,

I'll get a photo with 1/35 figs and next to a ruler. Probably post them tomorrow or Wed.

John,

Thanks for the info.

Nice job on an old kit. I always liked the weasels, had a few rides in one a couple of years back, it was crazy fun!

As I dimly remember from the '60's, Monogram used to include a couple of infantry figs and driver figures (for vehicles) in their kits. How do any of these figures measure up to recent 1/35 figures from Dragon, MB, etc.?

I love those old Monogram kits. I remember back in the late 70's or so, the corner drug store in Philly where I grew up had all those kits, the Weasel, half-tracks and their 1/48 scale Hueys. I must have built a hundred of all of them! Good memories

Hi Biggles,

I don't have my 1/35 Sherman unpacked but this 1/35 turret might give you some scale.


P.S., the figure is a 1/35 Tamiya.

Here are 3 of the 5: driver, Tommy gunner, and "ol' Crab Claw" the radioman.

Ah, the famous Hush-Hush turreted Weasel! No wonder the Allies won the war!

Seriously, very cool work there, Fred - I remember this old swimmer kit with great fondness from my mis-spent youth.

Here is the review: Monogram Weasel

Wow! Nice one.
This was one of those kits I wanted in the '70s, but could never find. So, last year, I hit the Ebay and found one in the white box like they used in the '70s and snapped it up. I had a lot of fun building it, but I did a bit of scratch building on it ala Sheperd Paine style. I did a video series about the process on YouTube, and here is a link to the final reveal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r1uYElZXKA

(if links like these are a no-no, yank it down!