The ¼-ton utility truck, or jeep, as it is more commonly known, has been enjoying a renaissance in 1/35 scale recently with new kits from several manufacturers. Takom’s offering matches the best and it’s packed with details, like a full engine with all the plumbing and full drivetrain. The addition of the wonderfully sculpted figure makes it a great choice for a diorama.
The small truck builds as you would expect, starting with the frame rails and engine. Overall, fits are good and I used no filler. I made a mistake mounting the rear-leaf springs too far forward; unfortunately, I didn’t notice the error until after I had done most of the painting and the tire interfered with the body. Check the part breakdown and diagrams and dry-fit the body before securing the rear axle to avoid the problem.
I built the lower frame and body separately to make painting easier; some for the underbody and engine will be difficult to reach when everything is together.
Jeeps are pretty spartan affairs, so the body builds quickly. But Takom has included plenty of detail inside and out, including the gas tank under the driver’s seat.
The trailer goes together as smoothly as the truck and includes a detailed suspension and the option to have the tongue support posed stowed down.
I painted the truck and trailer with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics. The decals went on without problems.
The nicely sculpted figure fits the seat with a casual pose.
Overall, I spent a little more than 20 enjoyable hours building Takom’s jeep and it shouldn’t pose a problem for anyone comfortable working with small, delicate parts. If you want a jeep for your collection or diorama, it would be hard to go wrong with Takom’s kit. I can’t wait to see what other versions the company produces.
Note: A version of this review appeared in the April 2020 issue.