Tamiya 35033 - 1:35 British SAS Jeep

1:35 plastic model kit of the British SAS Jeep (Willys MB)

Tamiya 35033 depicts the Willys MB as used by the British Special Air Service – the vehicle that became a symbol of long-range desert raiding. The kit consists of 106 parts and is based on the classic 1972 jeep tooling, supplemented by the SAS-specific parts developed in 1974.

The most distinctive feature of the kit is its armament: a Browning M2 .50 cal (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun and twin Vickers K guns. Added to this is a generous set of desert equipment – jerry cans, a spare wheel and sand channels – which gives the model the character of a vehicle prepared for long, self-sufficient patrols. Two crew figures in desert headgear allow you to build a complete scene.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts – 106 pieces
• Armament: Browning M2 .50 cal (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun and twin Vickers K guns
• Desert equipment: jerry cans, spare wheel, sand channels
• Two crew figures in desert headgear
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35033
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Number of parts: 106
• Assembled length: approx. 95 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

This is one of those kits that can safely be recommended as a first military vehicle model. The modest parts count, the good fit typical of Tamiya and the simple body construction make the build go smoothly, while the wealth of external stowage gives a striking result. It is worth painting the machine guns and stowage separately before final assembly – access to many of the tighter areas becomes difficult later on.

For a North African subject, sand and desert shades are recommended (e.g. Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow), usually complemented by dust and grime. A dark brown wash will bring out the detail, while a light application of pigments on the wheels and chassis conveys the character of a vehicle driven across soft sand. A matt varnish is the usual final finish.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to accentuate detail
• Optional: pigments for desert dust effects

About the vehicle – SAS Jeep (Willys MB):

The Special Air Service was born in the desert, and it was there that it developed its most recognisable way of fighting. SAS patrols in North Africa used light Willys MB jeeps adapted for multi-day raids deep behind enemy lines, where range, speed and firepower mattered far more than armour.

The vehicles carried several machine guns at once – most often twin Vickers K aircraft guns with a very high rate of fire, plus a Browning M2 heavy machine gun. Such an arsenal allowed a patrol to destroy aircraft and fuel bowsers on an airfield within seconds and then disappear into the night. The jeeps were festooned with fuel and water cans, spare wheels and sand channels, without which escaping soft sand was simply impossible.

This way of fighting – small, self-sufficient teams striking lightly defended rear areas – defined special forces for decades to come, and the heavily armed desert jeep remains one of the enduring images of the Second World War.

Original vehicle specifications (Willys MB, SAS configuration):

• Length: approx. 3.33 m
• Width: approx. 1.58 m
• Curb weight: approx. 1.1 t
• Drivetrain: 4x4, Willys Go Devil petrol engine, approx. 60 hp
• Top speed: approx. 100 km/h
• Crew: 2–3
• Armament: Browning M2 .50 cal (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun, twin Vickers K guns
• Equipment: fuel and water cans, spare wheels, sand channels

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company started out in the timber trade, but by the late 1940s it was producing wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first plastic model kit. Two years later came a 1:35 tank kit that established the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this SAS Jeep belongs, runs to hundreds of items and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.