While doing some research for my Willys Jeep build, I found a couple of pics of WWII jeeps that have a verticle bar with a forward curved end attached to the front bumper. It almost looks like angle-iron welded to the bumper with two small support brackets. What is that and what is its purpose? Also, any suggestions as to a good way to reproduce that in 1/35 scale?
It’s a wire cutter to prevent drivers from being decapitated by piano or other types of wire stung across a road. Plastruct makes L shaped plastic strips. You could judiciously cut a wedge out and bent the top forward or cut a wedge into the forward part which would catch the wire as well. Tamiya’s M151 kits have one of these.
I highly recommend that you get the Tamiya WIllys MB kit ( # 35219) which is the most accurate and detailed one available in 1/35. It comes with the wire cutter as an optional part. For more pics of jeeps, go here:
http://www.tanxheaven.com/ljs/jeepljs/jeepljs.htm
Note that there are some non-Willys jeeps in the mix too.