Tamiya 35332 - 1:35 M151A2 US Utility Truck - Grenada 1983

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the U.S. M151A2 utility truck “Grenada 1983”

Tamiya 35332 reproduces the M151A2 – a U.S. light utility truck, successor to the famous Jeep, used by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps from 1959 until the early 1990s. The A2 version, introduced in 1972, was improved with, among other things, the rear suspension and large front turn signals. The model depicts the vehicle in its Grenada 1983 invasion configuration.

The M151 was built around a semi-monocoque body with independent double-wishbone suspension. During the Grenada operation, many vehicles were fitted without a front windscreen, with equipment stowed on the bonnet, and their firepower was provided by an M2 heavy machine gun. The model is enhanced with numerous accessories, including a folded bed cover, bags and ammo cases.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the body and independent suspension
• M2 heavy machine gun
• Equipment mounted on the bonnet
• Accessories: folded bed cover, bags, ammo cases
• Three figures: driver, passenger with an M60 machine gun, and gunner at the M2
• Decal sheet for two marking options (82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Ranger Battalion)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35332
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 98 mm, width: 48 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (vehicle with figures and accessories)

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

Building the model:

Thanks to its small parts count and the excellent fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders. The many accessories and the figures are best painted separately before final assembly, planning their arrangement in advance.

For painting, the typical U.S. Olive Drab is recommended, matching the chosen marking option. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail and recesses benefit from a wash and dry-brushing.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M151A2:

The M151 is a U.S. light utility truck, introduced into service in 1959 as a successor to the WWII-era Jeep. Unlike its predecessors, it was built around a light, semi-monocoque body with independent coil-spring suspension, which was a significant design advance.

The M151A2 version, introduced in 1972, received an improved rear suspension, large front turn signals and an M2 heavy machine gun in place of the earlier M60. These vehicles took part in large numbers in the invasion of Grenada in 1983 (Operation Urgent Fury), where they were often fitted without a front windscreen, with equipment stowed on the bonnet.

Original specifications (M151A2):

• Length: approx. 3.37 m
• Width: approx. 1.63 m
• Construction: semi-monocoque body
• Powertrain: petrol engine, four-wheel drive
• Suspension: independent, double-wishbone
• Armament: M2 heavy machine gun (depending on version)
• Service period: 1959 – early 1990s

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.