Tamiya 35334 - 1:35 M151A1 US Utility Truck - Vietnam War

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the U.S. M151A1 utility truck “Vietnam War”

Tamiya 35334 reproduces the M151A1 – a U.S. light utility truck, successor to the famous Jeep, used by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The A1 version, introduced in 1964, was improved over the original model with turn signals on the front fenders and a revised rear suspension. The vehicle served in large numbers during the Vietnam War.

The model depicts the A1 version with an opening bonnet revealing the engine bay detail. The vehicle was built around a light, semi-monocoque body with independent suspension. The modeller can finish the vehicle in U.S. Marine Corps or U.S. Army colours.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the body and independent suspension
• Opening bonnet
• Turn signals on the front fenders (a feature of the A1 version)
• Driver figure
• Decal sheet for two marking options (U.S. Marines or U.S. Army)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35334
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 98 mm, width: 48 mm
• Skill level: beginner

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 beginners and makes for a quick, enjoyable project. The opening bonnet lets you display the engine bay detail. The figure is best painted separately before being placed in the vehicle.

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 – M151A1:

The M151 is a U.S. light utility truck, introduced into service in 1959 as a successor to the WWII-era Jeep. It was built around a light, semi-monocoque body with independent coil-spring suspension, a significant advance over earlier designs.

The M151A1 version, introduced in 1964, received turn signals on the front fenders and a revised rear suspension. The vehicle proved extremely versatile and was used in many roles – some examples were armed with a 106 mm recoilless rifle, others adapted as ambulances. The M151A1 served in large numbers during the Vietnam War.

Original specifications (M151A1):

• Length: approx. 3.37 m
• Width: approx. 1.63 m
• Construction: semi-monocoque body
• Powertrain: petrol engine, four-wheel drive
• Suspension: independent, coil-spring
• A1 version debut: 1964
• 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.