Bilek Kit...Dodge WC-54

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hello,

Anyone know anything about Bilek kits? I was looking at Great Models for a WC-54 Ambulance for my father. He was a Medevac pilot in Vietnam and likes models of anything having to do with the Army Medical Service Corps. I am wanting to build one for him but have never heard of Bilek.

The Great Models website says that it is previously an Italeri kit. What exactly does that mean? Also if you know of another MC-54 kit please let me know.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

2

[:D] hi, dont know about about that kit?,but i just finished a wc-54 from Italeri.the kit looks good ,my web site is down right now,but send me your addy and i will send pics.

gdarwin[roy]

roydarwin@hotmail.com

3

Actually, the Italeri kit is a rebox of the Bilek kits. The WC-54 series of kits are great. They build up nicley and are very detailed. I highly recommend them.

Here is a website with a build article too.
http://www.pcmodeler.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&page_id=3#topofpage

I would get it for him.
Happy modeling.

4

I also heard that they were the same kits,

5

[:D] that wood not surpise me that all the wc54 kits are all the same[:D]

gdarwin[roy]

6

This kit goes back to the old Peerless Max line of the 1960s. Needless to say it’s been around the block and back. Not all the Dodge WC kits are the same. The Skybow/AFV Club kits are new and outstanding.

7

Thank you all for your help.

Steve

8

I got mine on eBay. Nice kit.

9

There is also the old Testors / Italeri kit, it is the same thing.

10

packer@1, you do realize this post was from '04; almost 14 years ago? The original poster is no longer a member and he probably got and built the kit a long time ago.

If you have something to say, it is best to start a new post than to reply to ones that are ancient.

11

Roger that, Gino.

But, the history of this kit acc’d to Scalemates is crazy.

Variously boxed by:

MAX

Peerless Max

Schreiber Max

Airfix

TOMY

Italeri

Testors

Bilek

12

OK, this is an old thread… BUT

Does anybody of you know of WC54s being used in Vietnam?

Once I’ve seen a photo of one painted all white and being used by a civilian hospital or an organization like that. Any info? I would like to build a model like that.

Thanks in advance for any help, have a nice day

Paweł

13

Im pretty sure that the French would have used them during their war in the 50’s. And of course the ARVN for at least some portion of the war in 60’s/70’s. But I believe the WC series was out of US service by the time the major forces were committed in 1965 and afterward.

I did find this photo of an ARVN WC54

14

Hello Stik,

The edges on the rear cab here are too sharp for a WC54, this photo looks more like the M43 Ambulance, but not exactly, neither. Very interesting photo, thanks for sharing.

I’m still looking for photos of a WC54 in service in Vietnam.

Thanks in advance for any help, have a nice day

Paweł

15

To go along with their 3/4 ton M-37 Roden is releasing a 3/4 ton M-43 Ambulance.

Thought someone might find it of interest.

Dave M