Tamiya US Staff Car 1942

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Here is Tamiya’s 1/48 US Staff Car, 1942. This will be part of a diorama I’ve been commissioned to do.
The kit is a basic curbside kit with no engine compartment, though it has a separate hood. The interior consists of front seat, rear seat, steering column with directional stalk and shifter, steering wheel and dash. There are no instrument details of decals but these would be nearly impossible to see in the enclosed vehicle. The glazing consist of windshield, rear window and back window and two front windows. Tamiya molded ice locator receptacles for the windows in the roof reducing the likelihood of glue on the clear parts. Chassis is die cast metal with two simple axels and front and rear suspension parts. Hub caps are molded separately from the tires eliminating the need to mask these. The bumpers are separate pieces as is the trunk latch/rear license plate. The builder is advised to remove the civilian style plates for a military vehicle. There are decals for the civilian plates and markings for one OD military car. The decals for the fender guards at the back of the rear doors could not comply with the compound curves and had to be carefully painted. Otherwise, the decals set down very nicely.

2

Nice work on the staff car.

3

Excellent job, aj. I love this one.

OK, I hate to admit it, but the cars from that era always look the same to me (much like the way all the new cars of today do). What make and model does this depict?

4

Quick search shows this to be a 1942 Ford

5

Shouldn’t this be under the “Cars” subject of the forum?

6

This model qualifies for both categories.

And thanks for the ID, aj.

7

Boy that car screams out for a “Twelve O’Clock High” diorama… very nicely done!

8

Thanks ever so much aj for posting this. I also have this kit in my stash. I’m trying to stay exclusively 1/48, primarily Aircraft with support vehicles and Armor. Just as a side note, the 42 Ford production continued for just a short while after the bombing of Pearl, but only a few weeks. However the 42 Ford Pickup continued to roll down the assembly line into Feb ( + or - ). As the War progressed more Chrome was deleted from the Pickup Trucks and replaced with painted parts. In 1946, after the War, the manufacturers picked up right where they left off in 42. The 46 cars were basically the same as the 42 cars because there wasn’t time for design changes at that point. Anyhow, GREAT JOB on this one !! Please excuse my rambling. Bob H.

9

Very cool! Really nice job on the mud too, looks just right, not too little or overdone.

10

It;s a cool model.

Now if Tamiya would do a 1/35th scale version like they did with the Citroen 11CV kit with more detail and posable doors.

11

Very nicely done example of “Ya don’t see that everyday” and a welcome sight too.