My next build is another I have wanted to do for a while. It is a license-built Willys MB by Hotchkiss of France for the French military and was known as an M201.
I plan on building a late model one in NATO camo with a roll bar.
The French military used the M201 until the final one was retired in 2000. Hotchkiss made some French-specific mods to the M201 over the years. The most visible that applies to the model include the following: a new windshield wiper motor with its protective casing; a French-specific blackout drive light, which is flatter than the US version; removing the windshield rest blocks on hood and replacing them with two brackets on the windshield; a French-style jerrycan; a larger rectangular side rearview mirror; turn signal lights on the grille, and two rear brackets to accommodate turn signal lights compliant with French traffic regulations; one or two French antenna bases; a chemical decontamination bottle and support on the right fender support; a side mount weapons pintle; and Kleber tires.
I have made all these mods (and a few others - more later). Most of the mods were achieved by 3D designing and printing the needed parts.
Here it is so far. The base is the Tamiya Willys MB kit (35219). All of the dark gray parts are 3D printed. The white parts are styrene. The windshield wiper motor and bracket part is from a Heller French jeep kit. It is about all that is usable in the kit; the rest is junk.
I found a set of the Kleber tires on Cults 3D and printed the off. They are very nice and fit the Tamiya kit perfectly.
The other major changes are under the hood. Hotchkiss modified the M201 by upgrading to a 12v electrical system. The original Willys MB had a 6 volt system. To do this, they added another battery under the hood. To fit the battery, they had to move some stuff around. The voltage regulator was moved from the side panel behind the battery to the firewall. They also had to move the air cleaner from the passenger side to the driver’s side facing forward. They also used a different, flatter horn and a square distributer. Lastly, they added a second set of pulleys and a second fan belt.
Willys MB engine compartment.
M201 engine compartment.
I reworked the engine compartment to an M201 compartment. The batteries will be added later and are 3D printed. I made a 3D printed double fan belt setup and horn. The distributer came from an M38 detail set and I made a ignition coil from a piece of tubing. Lastly, it will be plumbed after painting.
Here are the rest of the detail parts. Seats, a French TRVP-13 radio and handset, French jerry cans, batteries, decon bottle in bracket, weapons, and tools.
Next up is painting and then decals from the Heller French jeep kit.
