Gino P. Quintiliani builds and takes a critical look at Tamiya''s new M151 kits and a comparison with Academy''s recent M151 kits.
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FEATURE
Tamiya's new M151 kits
CMOT
Editor-in-Chief
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 11:28 AM UTC
markchis
Joined: February 09, 2009
KitMaker: 467 posts
Armorama: 392 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 12:57 PM UTC
very detailed review and comparison ! answered all the questions in one topic really ! SO SO disappointing to see solid headlights on the "New" Tamiya kit
best
Mark
best
Mark
jakes357
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 254 posts
Armorama: 132 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 02:55 PM UTC
Great article! Thank you for not referring to the 151 as a 'mutt'. I find this as incorrect as referring to a magazine as a 'clip'
A quick check of my -10 (operators manual) states 'truck utility 1/4ton 4x4' as the title
Jake
A quick check of my -10 (operators manual) states 'truck utility 1/4ton 4x4' as the title
Jake
Petition2God
Joined: February 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,526 posts
Armorama: 1,294 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 03:12 PM UTC
Thank you Gino for a very comprehensive comparison review!
C_JACQUEMONT
Joined: October 09, 2004
KitMaker: 2,433 posts
Armorama: 2,325 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 09:51 PM UTC
Great article, thank you Gino!
I agree on the headlights, it' not hard to correct (I've done it on my M151A2 "Super Jeep" conversion) but Tamiya should have made them separate in clear plastic.
Seems SKP jumped on the opportunity.
Cheers,
Christophe
Quoted Text
very detailed review and comparison ! answered all the questions in one topic really ! SO SO disappointing to see solid headlights on the "New" Tamiya kit
best
Mark
I agree on the headlights, it' not hard to correct (I've done it on my M151A2 "Super Jeep" conversion) but Tamiya should have made them separate in clear plastic.
Seems SKP jumped on the opportunity.
Cheers,
Christophe
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 10:21 PM UTC
Thanks guys. I'm glad the article is helpful.
WarWheels
Joined: March 24, 2006
KitMaker: 1,816 posts
Armorama: 1,402 posts
Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 11:37 PM UTC
Nice article Gino. I especially liked the added info on all the "older" 151 kits.
jvazquez
Joined: September 26, 2006
KitMaker: 857 posts
Armorama: 811 posts
Posted: Friday, November 01, 2013 - 08:26 AM UTC
I concur, another great article.
Disappointed that at worst Tamiya didn't update the grill and get rid of those moulded on head lights like Academy.
Disappointed that at worst Tamiya didn't update the grill and get rid of those moulded on head lights like Academy.
markchis
Joined: February 09, 2009
KitMaker: 467 posts
Armorama: 392 posts
Posted: Friday, November 01, 2013 - 12:56 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Great article, thank you Gino!Quoted Textvery detailed review and comparison ! answered all the questions in one topic really ! SO SO disappointing to see solid headlights on the "New" Tamiya kit
best
Mark
I agree on the headlights, it' not hard to correct (I've done it on my M151A2 "Super Jeep" conversion) but Tamiya should have made them separate in clear plastic.
Seems SKP jumped on the opportunity.
Cheers,
Christophe
ahhh thanks Cristophe ! a silver lining to every cloud
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Friday, November 01, 2013 - 01:10 PM UTC
Thanks guys. I'm glad everyone is getting something out of it.
As to the headlights, they are not an issue if you build the two versions in this boxing; 82nd ABN and 2 Ranger Bat in Grenada. It comes with decals that cover the lenses representing green 100 mile-an-hour tape. It looks pretty convincing too.
I agree though, they should have redone them in the A2 boxing as well since you can build almost any version from the box since it comes with all the original A2 parts as well.
As to the headlights, they are not an issue if you build the two versions in this boxing; 82nd ABN and 2 Ranger Bat in Grenada. It comes with decals that cover the lenses representing green 100 mile-an-hour tape. It looks pretty convincing too.
I agree though, they should have redone them in the A2 boxing as well since you can build almost any version from the box since it comes with all the original A2 parts as well.
LarryLawler
Joined: March 30, 2010
KitMaker: 139 posts
Armorama: 136 posts
Posted: Friday, November 01, 2013 - 02:27 PM UTC
Very nicely done. One of my favorite vehicles. I spent a good amount of time driving one in the 80's. I actually preferred the M151 to the Humvee when we switched em out! Seemed like there was more room in that tiny vehicle compared to the tight quarters of the Humvee...great stuff!
Chilihead
Joined: July 03, 2002
KitMaker: 626 posts
Armorama: 456 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 - 09:42 AM UTC
I hope that Tamiya provides you with the front upper suspension arm; they haven't done so in the past.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 06:11 PM UTC
Hi Chris - No the upper control arms on the front suspension are not included (they are not hard to scratch though). Only the rear suspension for the A1 has been corrected. The rest of the suspension on both the A1 and A2 kits are the same as in their earlier releases.
Davidstingray
Joined: March 14, 2013
KitMaker: 61 posts
Armorama: 60 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - 08:38 AM UTC
I found the new Tamiya M151A1 kit on a recent trip to the hobby store. Having a price of $34.99 I will pass.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 30, 2013 - 01:13 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I found the new Tamiya M151A1 kit on a recent trip to the hobby store. Having a price of $34.99 I will pass.
That is nuts. Online supplier and eBay have it going for about $20, including shipping.
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 30, 2013 - 01:54 AM UTC
Thanks Gino, this is a very useful article.
KL
KL
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 30, 2013 - 05:40 AM UTC
Glad it was helpful to you Kurt.
Monsoon
Joined: January 19, 2006
KitMaker: 81 posts
Armorama: 69 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 - 01:59 PM UTC
I think that Tamiya is basing the Grenada version on a Ron Volstad painting in the Osprey Ranger book.
The painting is bad-ass. I did a version of it years ago when I was stationed in Germany.
The Tamiya kit is pretty lame compared to the painting. A couple extra dudes in Kevlar helmets and a couple M60s just ain't cutting it.
It is good to see these re-released, tho.
The painting is bad-ass. I did a version of it years ago when I was stationed in Germany.
The Tamiya kit is pretty lame compared to the painting. A couple extra dudes in Kevlar helmets and a couple M60s just ain't cutting it.
It is good to see these re-released, tho.
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 - 02:52 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I think that Tamiya is basing the Grenada version on a Ron Volstad painting in the Osprey Ranger book.
I haven't seen the Volstad painting, but the exact vehicle they based it on, down to the bumper numbers, is in this picture.
Monsoon
Joined: January 19, 2006
KitMaker: 81 posts
Armorama: 69 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 - 03:18 PM UTC
I can't post a link to it, but if you google "ron volstad ranger jeep" in google images, it's the first one.
Four rucks on the hood, dudes in soft covers and old school NVGs. 60 on the pindel mount and one on a tripod on the front passengers lap.
Looks like the Tamiya has some cots lashed to the hood....
Four rucks on the hood, dudes in soft covers and old school NVGs. 60 on the pindel mount and one on a tripod on the front passengers lap.
Looks like the Tamiya has some cots lashed to the hood....
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 12, 2013 - 07:45 AM UTC
Similar, I still think it is based on the pic I posted. It has the same bumper numbers, same sand color, similar gear set-up, crew with Kevlar helmets, etc.
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