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In-Box Review
135
M151A2 Lenses
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

M151 History

In 1951 the Ford Motor Company was given a contract to develop a new vehicle to replace the WWII era MB Jeep and its descendant the M38. The result was the M151 series of ¼ ton utility trucks, designed by Ford and later built by Kaiser, AM General Corporation, and GM. A production contract was awarded in 1960 for over 10,000 units that would be used by all US and many foreign military forces. More commonly referred to as simply a "jeep" or "quarter-ton", The M151 was produced from 1959 through 1982 and served from the Vietnam War throughout the Cold War and beyond.

The M151 had a monocoque body design making it roomier than previous jeep designs, and incorporated front and rear independent suspension with coil springs. Production of the M151 continued for just a short time when the M151A1 was introduced in 1964 with modifications to carry heavier loads and added small turn signals to the front fenders. Serious problems existed with the suspension that made the M151 and M151A1 unstable and susceptible to roll-over in tight cornering situations due to the central articulation of the suspension arms, the lowering of one wheel relative to the frame would make the wheel move inward, effectively over-steering the vehicle and causing it to abruptly overturn.

The M151A2, fielded in 1972, brought a significantly revised rear suspension with semi-trailing A-arms that greatly improved safety in fast cornering. Many smaller upgrades including improved turn signals and a one-piece front windshield with an electric wiper motor. The M151A2 can be identified by the large combination NATO turn signal/blackout lights on the front fenders, which also had to be modified to mount the larger lights. With some M151A2 units still in US military service well into the 1990’s, the M151 series achieved a longer run of service than that of the WW2 MB/GPW, M38 and M38A1 series jeeps combined. It has since been replaced by the larger AM General HMMWV.

Introduction text courtesy of Gino P. Quintiliani
Review

SKP Model has released the next product into their range of Lenses and Taillights. This new release is for the M151A2 Mutt from Academy; however I am sure that the product would be equally at home on the new Tamiya kit which was recently released. The product consists of a single photo etched fret which contains six lenses and two photo etched detail parts. The lenses and photo etched parts in the set cover the;
  • Headlights
  • Front indicators
  • Rear lights
  • Photo etched surround detail for the headlights

It looks to me that SKP Model has got this small set dead on. The headlight lenses have the straight lines behind the lens which is accurate and to my knowledge not supplied by any other company to date. The red and amber lenses also have the lines behind the lenses but these are circular rather than straight which is again accurate.

While this set from SKP Model is listed as for the Academy kit I remember that Gino Quintiliani when he reviewed the new Tamiya kit of the M151A2 stated that the lenses were a let-down but saved by the tape coverage supplied for them, This product from SKP Model will allow the lights to be on show if desired by the modeller and I believe will be far superior to clear plastic lenses supplied with some kits. The lenses are also perfectly placed on the photo etched portion which I believe will make adding them to your model far easier.

The photo etched surrounds for the front headlights have the correct number of retaining bolts, in this case that is three and when applied to the model make sure one of the bolt details is at the very bottom.

Conclusion

I have said it before and I will say it again; I believe that this product from SKP Model are the best replacement lens sets on the market today and are the most realistic product for replicating lights on your models. The price of the products in this line also has appeal as this set is only €6.4o which is a paltry sum when you think about the cost of some of the other parts we all throw at our models.

Related reviews

Tamiya M151A2 review by Gino P. Quintiliani Live links
SUMMARY
Highs: The realistic patterns behind the lenses really make them pop in my opinion.
Lows: I cannot see any weaknesses in this set.
Verdict: Highly recommended and a well-timed release for those who will want them for their Tamiya kits.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: SKP 188
  Suggested Retail: €6.4o
  PUBLISHED: Nov 21, 2013
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.13%

Our Thanks to SKP Model!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Great review Darren. These SKP lense sets look really nice. I may have to get a couple.
NOV 20, 2013 - 06:33 PM
Im hooked on SKP lenses. Ive used them on older models and they really add a lot! These for the M151 are long overdue
NOV 21, 2013 - 12:40 AM
Love the SKP sets also. Just a question though,on the vehicle photo,seems there are side marker lights and reflectors,is this a civilian application,or is it military also? Mike
NOV 21, 2013 - 07:37 AM
Mike I believe it is to meet current road legislation, however I am sure Gino will come up with the exact info.
NOV 21, 2013 - 09:03 AM
Darren has it. Standard ones in US military service did not have the additional side marker lights/turn signals on them.
NOV 21, 2013 - 11:13 AM
Thanks Darren and Gino,I'll have to pick up a set of these.Now if they'd come out with a set for the Mk.23 MTVR Cargo Truck by Trumpeter. Mike
NOV 22, 2013 - 01:47 AM
   
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