The Willys MB (commonly known as a Jeep or jeep, formally as the US Army Truck, ¼ ton, 4x4) is a four-wheel drive utility vehicle that was manufactured during WW2.  It is also one of the first military vehicles mass-produced in the US.

 

The Willys MB (and Ford GPW) US Army jeep is the culmination of war-time ingenuity, standardization and strategic personalization for transport of personnel and cargo.  Soon to become the ubiquitous, “world-famous” jeep, the Willys MB and Ford GPW models were very effective on the ground, with many standardized features such as 6.00x16 tires, 60 horsepower at 4,000 rpm, a gasoline can bracket on the left rear, provisions for trailer lights, spark interference suppression, a blackout light system, twin top bows and sealed spring shackles.

 

Absorbing some of the design features of the Bantam and Ford entries, the Willys “MA” was then renamed the Willys “MB”, and featured the powerful “Go Devil” engine and a welded flat iron “slat” radiator grille (which was later replaced by a stamped grille in March 1942).  By October 1941, due to an increased demand for production, Ford was contracted to assist Willys-Overland and changed their model’s name from “GP” to “GPW”, with the “W” referring to the “Willys” licensed design.  During WW2, Ford produced some 280,000 of these vehicles.  A total of 361,339 (between Nov 18, 41 and Sep 21, 45) were build.

 

 

Product Highlights:
 

- Single 1/56 (28mm) scale plastic sprue

- Foldable windshield with canvas wrap option

- Optional tarpaulin canvas top

- Include Browning M1919 & M2 MG options

- Four US Infantrymen figures included