M38 Jeep

Subject:
M38A1 Jeep
Kit Used: Skybow 1/35

Review & model by:
Steve Freeman
Pictures: R. Forys

March 2006
Model of the Month

[The M38 was the first post WWII vehicle built to replace the legendary MB/GPW Jeep.]

The Willy's/Ford M38 was the first post WWII vehicle built to replace the legendary Willy's/Ford MB/GPW Jeep. The original M38 was a virtual clone of the vehicle it was replacing. In the early 50's the M38A1 was introduced. It had a new overhead value, 4-cylinder engine that required a higher more streamlined hood. This vehicle still remains in service today with many armed forces around the world. In the 1980's it also spawned the civilian Jeep CJ that is still in production.

[The M38A1 was used by the Canadians until it was replaced by the Ford M151 in the mid 80's.]

The M38A1 was first built for Canadian Army service in 1952 by Ford of Canada. The "Cdn3" upgrade, discussed here, was built by Ford US in the 1970-71 time period. It served until replaced by the Ford M151 in the mid 80's.

In late 1963, after Cyprus's independence from Great Britain, a conflict erupted between Greek and Turkish Cypriots for control of the country. The United Nations acted, and created a peace-keeping detail called the United Nations Force in Cyprus, (UNFICYP) to be inserted between the warring sides and maintain peace.

In March 1964, the first contingent arrived in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. This happened to be a Canadian unit. It was assigned to the most sensitive area in the country, and was tasked to man the "Green Line" between Greek and Turkish enclave in Nicosia. The "Green Line", which separated the two sides, got its name from the colour used to first mark the line on a map.

The Canadian presence ceased in 1993 after 30 years of continuous presence, however, UNFICYP is still in place today. In the 1970's and 80's, every member of the Canadian Army (active and reserve) served at least six months in Cyprus, and it was (unofficially) considered part of their training.

[PPCLI CO LCol Jim Kelly, and RSM CWO Sam Simpson patrolling the Green line in an M38.]

The subject of this article is the Willy's / Ford M38A1 Cdn3 used in the early 1980's by the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (PPClI). Specifically, the model was based on a picture (above) of the PPCLI CO LCol Jim Kelly, and RSM CWO Sam Simpson patrolling the Green line in an M38. The Jeep was the primary patrol vehicle used by the Canadian forces in this Cyprus deployment.

The Kit: This is the Skybow M38A1 (kit #TP3503). Eduard produces a detail set for this kit, but on inspection it doesn't need it. This was my first experience with a Skybow / AFV kit, and I was very impressed with the quality and finesse of the detail provided. The kit was built out of the box with the addition of details specific to the particular vehicle being modeled, and one other exception. The one other exception was the frame for the canvas top. It is so finely molded that my fat fingers broke the part into pieces during painting. I was forced to recreate it out of brass rod and thin brass sheet stock.

To complete the "Green Line" Jeep, several items were added:

1. Plumbing, wiring, and a scratch built battery to the engine compartment,
2. Radios and antenna mounts from the spares box (from a Tamyia M151 Mutt kit)
3. Cables and scratch built mikes, for the radios,
4. The larger antenna were scratch built from aluminum rod and thin gauge solder, dipped in gap filling super glue to add the tip weights,
5. The smaller antenna is a paint brush bristle,
6. The flag is lead foil glued to plastic rod.

[The United Nations and Commander signs were made from painted decal film and dry transfer letters.]

Finish and Markings:  The vehicle is finished in standard overall UN white with the UN flag on the vehicle hood serving as the UNFICYP logo. The kit was painted using Model Master paint washed with raw umber oils, and dry-brushed with white oils.

With the exception of the Canadian flags, all other markings were scratch made:

1. The license plates from Archer Dry Transfers were applied to plastic sheet.
2. The United Nations and Commander signs were made from painted decal film and dry       transfer letters.
3. The flag base colour is Model Master Russian Underside Blue, with white UN insignia       from a Canadian Otter decal sheet.

[The flag base colour is Model Master Russian Underside Blue, with white UN insignia from a Canadian Otter decal sheet.]

Conclusion: The Sybow /AFV M38 is a great kit that's a very easy build. Creating the details and markings added to my modeling skills. The only negative outcome was that I'm starting to hate white finishes. They are really tough to get right.