Reviews : Tamiya US M151A2 w/Tow Launcher

Although it may not be as popular or fondly remembered as the beloved Willys “Jeep,” the M151A2 Military Unit Tactical Truck (MUTT) served the U.S. armed forces well and many are still running in private hands. Molded in light tan, Tamiya’s kit contains three sprues: A and B sprues are box-sized and obviously common to other variants put out by Tamiya. The smaller C sprue contains the components for the TOW launcher, two TOW missiles in containers, guidance control console with cover and a tripod that can be posed to exhibit the launcher set up outside of the Mutt. This tripod even has an assembly jig built into the sprue. Placard decals are included for the TOW launcher and spares but not for the guidance console or the vehicle radio. I chose to mount the TOW in the back of the Mutt, which has the front passenger seat removed to make room for the tripod and missiles. The passenger seat becomes another jewel for the spares box. The kit builds in Army or Marines configuration and three sets of markings are offered: 82nd Airborne Division (complete with shoulder patch decal for the driver figure), 2nd Infantry Division, Korea, and Marine Corps version. The driver figure is of good quality. Color callouts include the camouflage pattern for the driver’s camo suit. Tamiya’s kit of the Mutt equipped with TOW missile launcher is a bargain at $10 and would be a bargain at twice the price. However, unlike Tamiya’s Willys in this scale, the Mutt is a curbside model with no engine. It does have a folding windshield and a small clear part sheet containing the windshield is packaged with the decal sheet. The instructions are good, although not perfect, and detail photos are provided for the launcher and accessories and for the spare tire and water can. I found this kit a joy to build and consider it another home run for Tamiya.

Again, this is the 1983 Grenada invasion version of this kit. Anyway, Tamiya did a great job on this kit quality wise, but rivet counters will have issues. The kit, I think, is a reiteration of the Ford Mutt, and is the Grenada 1983 version, with two new figures and gear. The figures are all sculpted very nicely and the two newest figures could rival resin figures I have worked on. The vehicle goes together very well and is very delicate. There is a wire-cutter that can be mounted to the front bumper. They even have extra goodies and make the vehicle look ready for deployment in Operation Fury, included decals for taped off headlights. Of course, you don’t have to build it that way. There are problems with the kit, though. While the kit features the newly issued Kevlar helmets first used in Grenada, they only fit the passengers. The driver has to wear the old M1 GI style helmet or you will have to replace the head. I test fitted but would have had to trim his head down to nothing to get it to fit. The .50 cal mount is also iffy. Continuous firing of that bad boy would have bent the mount or even cracked the jeep frame, I think. The ALICE rucksacks are a nice addition, along with the cots and pretty accurate, too. The men would have gone in laager after their patrol, so all three could have slept. If not, two would sleep while one had the watch. Also, there are no canteens or MRE’s/MCI’s/C rats included. Napoleon said that an army travels on its stomach, and these troopers would be no exception. I have a spares box, but that is not the point. It is a very nice kit. Too bad Tamiya cut corners on accuracy. Recommended.

From what I can tell this is one of Tamiya early kits (1983). You can see a lot of the excellent detail and molding being developed. Pro's: Great fit and excellent detail. The decals were no problem. Instructions are good. You can build either an Army or Marine Corps version. Painting guide in the instructions are good. A list of all Tamiya colors is listed in acrylic paints. One driver is included. Plenty of options are included in this kit. I built the Marine Corps version. I added extra's to my model. First, I added a cable from the tow launcher down to the tow launcher's control box. I used extra rubber brake line from my spare box. Second, I added a metal antenna instead of sprue. I use this for all my antenna's. Con's: No engine. Check out the other reviews. They will list so much more about this kit that I left out. They are all good. Keep having fun.

TOW vs. Soviet and other tanks. The vehicle was the Cold War era answer to last ditch effort to defend against the Soviet tanks crossing into West Germany before they could get through the rest of the NATO defenses. The model shown here is easily built if you have every built a true JEEP as this is a model of Ford's offer. The kit is very basis and the detailing of the TOW launcher and two rounds in the storage tubes add to the detailing. As a defensive measure, as if it would repel tanks, the venerable M-60 Medium Machinegun was mounted above the TOW launcher. These have all been replaced by much more sophisticated vehicles and weapons that they are no longer around anywhere, except in your collection of Cold War warriors! I would highly recommend this and all the other Cold War vehicles for anyone.

I gave this kit a 4 star rating, due to one tiny fact, and that is the front wheels can't be turned, if they made the front wheels turn able, this kit would be over the top. This doesn't directly affect the kit, but the give you some parts not used, I'd love if they gave these parts a purpose, like the 249 looking gun to be stored on the vehicle. But they give no such instruction on to how to do so. Other than that, it has great detail on underside, and all around. If you like the WWII Willys jeep from Tamiya, you'll enjoy this one, it has far more detail, and gives you an option to have the TOW on a stand. It also has a far more detailed soldier, and no the soldier doesn't fit in the WWII Willys.

This was a lot of fun to build. Tons of bits; they even throw in a .50 cal if you’re feeling frisky and an alternate shovel. I was a bit too intimidated to hand-craft an antenna from the sprue as instructed but my skill level isn’t that great. I also skipped the drilling, but even so it turned out wonderfully. Heck, build it with the TOW set up on the included tripod and you get two items for one outstanding price. I also didn’t cement the decently-detailed included driver just in case I wanted to use the vehicle for photos without him.

Per previous review, parts fit together extremely well. This is a small kit with many small parts. That said they fit well. Choice of three versions, one Marine, two army. Marine version requires some additional drilling. You have to make the antenna from a piece of sprue by heating and stretching. The decals are extremely small to work with, and you will have to apply some during construction. Instructions are very good, with actual photos of model showing difficult part locations.

Ford's own version of Willy's Jeep, the MUTT is a 4x4 light utility truck. The kit is highly detailed, with a complete undercarriage (no engine, sadly) and tons of detail up top. You can also attach the included machine gun instead of the TOW launcher, if you prefer. Like Italeri's Jeep kits, this is a wonderful little representation of the M151 and is a worthy addition to your collection. Recommended!

Sorry Hobbylinc I found this in my local store and snapped it up as a Nephew gift. Inexpensive, and although I followed the TOW instructions for Army the Marine version was a little more challenging (less realistic too). Is a kit that can be modified in so many ways with very little scratch-build knowledge and will certainly purchase again to try.

for 10 bucks you just can't beat this kit. amazing detail. had very minor fit issues. choices of marine or army and wind shield up or down also can mount launcher on jeep or on tripod. it comes with some extra parts apparently meant for another version not mentioned. highly recommend

This is my first 4 wheeled military vehicle model very easy and enjoyable to build this is a Ford m-151 Mutt so it should go good with Willys jeeps and Army truck models I suggest build one or a few you won't be disappointed at all.

Really nice kit with lots of extras/details. I built the version with the M-60 MG mount and added a radio. It looks great next to ‘70-‘80 s armor.

Great addition to the military model collection Nothing too fancy from Tamiya but good enough to build, paint and collect.

Very happy with this kit, showed up you can actually make two different versions, with the TOW or as a scout version.

I love the whole military model thing my youngest son is 9 he loves to help and read up on each one.

This model is very small but has amazing detail. Looks awesome when painted with camouflage colors

EXCELLENT KIT BY TAMIYA. PARTS FIT QUITE WELL .DETAIL IS GOOD.NOBODY DOES ARMOR LIKE TAMIYA.

Excellent product and service very happy with purchase very fun little model to put together

Was able to build as I had imagined. Didn't really want the weapon mounted on it.

Tamiya products never let me down. Fun build great quality as always good price too

Love this model. Great item and great price. I would recommend to my friend

This is a pretty entertaining kit its just kind of a shame that its so tiny.

I am really getting into modeling and this helps me get better and better.

great price i bought 2 for a speical scene.ill dhow photos when finished.