by Jarek Skonieczny and Derek Redmond
| L scale - 1:32 O scale - 1:43 (or 1:48) S scale - 1:64 OO - 1:76 HO - 1:87 N - 1:160 Z - 1:220 |
A typical Jeep in 1/87 scale would be approximately 1-1/2 inches (3.75 cm.) long. See the sidebar for a quick primer on model vehicle scale as it relates to model railroad scale or "gauge" (the distance between the rails).
The venerable Atlas Trackside Shanty plastic kit (250K JPEG) forms the background for this photo of a plastic CJ-3B in HO scale, from Wiking Models of Germany. All this 3B needs is a little paint on the tires and windshield frame.
Herbert Troelstra in the Netherlands says this model dates from as early as the 1960s, and Wiking reintroduced it in a more recent series of classics, for a higher price of course.
Wiking also did their CJ-3B in a U.S. Army version. The black tires make this one a notch more realistic out of the box, but realism obviously wasn't the top priority since the 3B was posing as a Willys MB, in this edition commemorating the Berlin Air Bridge (1948-49).
As of late 2024, Wiking has announced yet another release of this molding, as a CJ-3A! The body is still clearly a CJ-3B, and this paint scheme is clearly CJ-2A -- I guess if you average out those two things you get a CJ-3A!
The rubber tires are a big improvement, and the rear-mounted spare is gone -- maybe Wiking finally realized that was not right for a stock CJ flatfender. Apparently the model comes with a loose spare and two jerry cans (see a rear view, 60K JPEG). Too bad they couldn't have added the correct side-mounted spare, as they did on some versions of their CJ-5 (further down this page.)
This 1/90-scale Jeep from Schuco of Germany, in their "Piccolo" line, is a one-piece zamak casting including everything but the wheels. Beginning in 2000 it was released in limited editions of several different colors. For more details and photos, see Schuco Piccolo Willys Jeep on CJ3B.info.
This little toy, probably the first 1/87 Jeep produced by Eko in Spain, had the high hood found on all the Jeeps built in Spain, although the grille and the windshield suggested something more like a Willys MB.
On the other hand, this Mini Cars Jeep, also from Spain, had a hood that was not quite as high, but had the correct WILLYS stamping above the grille, and was actually identified on the base (120K JPEG) as a CJ-3B. This example which I've had since the mid 1960s has lost its folding windshield.
Midgetoy manufactured these little CJ's in the 1950s. Being a one-piece casting with steel axles and plastic wheels, they are almost identical to their S-scale bigger brothers (35K JPEG) also manufactured by Midgetoy.
Another early diecast model is a flatfender by Lone Star of England, apparently a CJ-2A.
While diecast versions are much more popular with toy car collectors than the plastic versions, HO train hobbyists require much greater realism than common diecasts can provide.
Roco of Austria did a limited edition CJ-2A for the 60th anniversary of Jeep in 2001 (see the packaging, 200K JPEG). As with all of Roco's HO scale Jeeps it's nicely detailed (including the bottom, 50K JPEG) but obviously the grille lets the cat out of the bag; it's a version of Roco's military Willys MB (see below.)
Roco added authenticity to their detailed CJ-5 by releasing it in Golden Eagle trim, as well as Renegade and Laredo (60K JPEG).
A Hard Top set (30K JPEG) complete with glass was available, and also a Fire Jeep (70K JPEG) including hardtop.
Farm machinery models are popular for use on train layouts, and Wiking gave one version of their CJ-5 a farm look with a pair of milk cans in the back.
Wiking models are marked on their detailed underside (100K JPEG) with a logo composed of W over M.
One limitation of the Wiking Jeeps is the one-piece unpainted windshield, but some of their releases include color molded into the windshield frame. This one from the "W&W Wood Construction" series also has a correct side-mounted spare, unique among 1/87 models.
The plastic Noch/Eko CJ-5 made in Spain was popular and was available in various bright colors (220K JPEG) and variations, including the picnic set (30K JPEG) with a tent and two figures.
The undercarriage (150K JPEG) has only minimal detail.
Micro Machines really made a splash with the kids with these little toy CJ's. They don't offer the realism of the Roco or Wiking models, but the "off road" moving axles and "modified" trim offer the kids sort of mini-matchboxes to play with. This being especially true of the white 4X4 out front, which sports identical trim to the 1/64 Matchbox version (20K JPEG).
Atlas is one of the best known companies in the model train business, and clearly there are a lot more Jeeps on train layouts following the 2007 introduction of the Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited into their line of HO scale vehicles. Its detail was remarkable for a 1:87 model, and Atlas says it was "developed from factory CAD data and an extensive study of the actual vehicle."
The initial red, white and Jeep Green versions were supplemented with Bright Silver, Red Rock, Steel Blue and Dark Green (60K JPEGs). As of 2015 the Wrangler seems to be out of production, and harder to find for sale.
The World War II Willys MB, being the model most commonly associated with the word "jeep", also seems to be the most popular model in all scales of collecting. HO scale is no exception, and MB's seen in this photo include:
Left: Kenner plastic GI Joe Jeep (left) in a fraction of the original GI Joe's scale
Middle: SAS version (but with German insignia). Stories do exist of German troops converting captured MB's for their own use. The manufacturer of this model, also plastic, is unknown.
Right: Diecast (w/plastic parts) MB manufactured by Zylmex, also available with M*A*S*H markings on the hood.
An MB in white metal kit form was produced in HO by Trident (25K JPEG). This kit comes in "as cast" condition so painting is required after assembly.
Another MB model was recently included by Micro Machines in their military Iron Shield Command set (40K JPEG).
The search for HO-scale model Jeeps will certainly take one into model railroad hobby shops, where the most popular dress-up vehicle manufacturer is Roco of Austria. While the "kits" in Roco's Minitank series are priced as high as larger 1/24 and 1/32 scale kits, their detail is superb, especially given their small size.
The hood of the Roco MB comes off to reveal a detailed engine, and there are trailers, soft tops and other accessories. The 632 white MP version came with a wire cutter for the front bumper, and 672 was in blue for the USAF Air Police.
Roco has a fire brigade version (60K JPEG), and French railway model company REE Modeles also has five variations of a fire fighting MB (60K JPEG). This conversion of surplus WWII Jeeps by fire departments was quite common in Europe after the war (see WWII Jeeps as Fire Engines on CJ3B.info.)
The 1/87 CJ-5 from Wiking is often seen in a military version representing an M38A1, with the only changes being the rear-mounted spare and jerry can.
Also on CJ3B.info, see the 2014 special edition, decorated as a Canadian Army M38A1 CDN to honor UN Forces in Cyprus.
A military CJ-5 from Eko is pretty similar to the Wiking, with a one-piece unpainted transparent windshield. The easiest way to recognize the Eko is the steering wheel coming vertically out of the floor just in front of the driver's seat.
The Roco CJ-5 was also slightly modified to represent an M38A1. It's reasonably accurate, with a folding windshield, rear spare and jerry can, but no blackout lamp or recessed headlights, and it requires a bit of paint for details.
Available accessories from Roco include an M2 Browning machine gun on a pillar that snaps into a hole between the seats, plus a canvas tilt, trailer and M20 75mm recoilless rifle, as seen in the diorama below.
This M38A1 convoy is made up of Wiking and Roco HO models. In the background is a Roco Pinzgauer and a Roco CJ-5 Laredo.
Thanks to Stéphane Richard on Flickr for the photo.
An M38A1 that is actually an M38A1! Eric Kuiper told me about this 2016 HO model of the NEKAF M38A1 from the Dutch firm Artitec, who originally specialized in model trains but have moved into a large range of military models. Eric commented, "Considering the size of the models they are highly detailed, even with a choice of number plates."
The model seen here is painted in UNIFIL white. It is also available in Dutch Army olive drab and an Israeli Defense Forces version (30K JPEG).
Roco also produced the M151 MUTT in HO scale (15K JPEG), in soft top and hard top versions, with or without a trailer. The Ford-built MUTT replaced the M38A1 as the front-line combat Jeep, in the Vietnam era.
Eko of Spain has an HO model of the Jeep Forward Control FC-150, which they refer to as a Mula or "Mule". It's available in five colors, with or without the rear canvas. The base (90K JPEG) has no detail, but the information molded there makes it easy to identify.
A Belgian board game called "Diagnostic" included a Forward Control tow-truck (20K JPEG) without windows or moving wheels, among the set of game pieces (20K JPEG).
Eko also has a Station Wagon in various colors (180K JPEG) including this fire brigade unit and a military version (40K JPEG). With a single pane windshield it represents a 1959-1965 wagon. Again, the base (80K JPEG) is labelled but has no detail.
Train crews in the real world often rely on "hy-rail" vehicles to travel along railroad lines to and from construction zones. These vehicles have two extra axles with railroad wheels which lead the front wheels and trail the rear ones, keeping the rubber-tired vehicle on the rails. The red Bachmann model on left has a working electric motor and headlights, along with the "hy-rail" features to help it drive along HO scale tracks. The green plastic Willys is the Eko toy.
Although not really meant as an HO train model, the "Kinder Egg Surprise" Cherokee XJ (rear) features a flywheel which provides plenty of torque in a vehicle, perfect for taking the family to the ZOO.
Lots of HO layouts represent steam-era railroading, so Willys Jeep Station Wagons fit right in. This more recent cast-resin release from modelmaker "Best of Show" has the kind of detail that many modellers are now looking for.
Best of Show also does it as a Sedan Delivery panel truck (200K JPEG). The two-pane windshields identify these as mid-1950s wagons.
Brekina in Germany released a late-1960's V8 Wagoneer with amazing detail for a 1/87 model. As of 2019 it was available in several colors.
Kaska on YouTube turned a black Brekina Wagoneer into a micro radio control version, with working headlights and turn signals.
Brekina has added a couple of amazing little J-trucks that come in a whole pile of colors and are available with a camper. The 1962 Gladiator even comes in zebra stripes (80K JPEG) and as a wrecker (160K JPEG).
Brekina has also done its 1968 Gladiator in a bunch of accurate finishes including a couple of versions of the Honcho (60K JPEG).
The popularity of the AMC and Chrysler Cherokees meant there was an increasing demand for them to be available as dress-up vehicles for HO train layouts. A 2011 release from Herpa in Germany was a ZJ Grand Cherokee in several colors including red and black (60K JPEGs) and this Fire Chief version.
Alan Olson and Richard Olson of the 1/87 Vehicle Club exhibited a detailed Herpa ZJ and several conversions based on the Roco CJ-5 (center rear) at the club's East Coast Meet in January 2017. Thanks to Andy Madden and Bob Johnson for the photo.
Special thanks to Mike Albright and Pete Pearson for helping me locate some of these models. -- Jarek Skonieczny
And thanks to Jarek, for a thorough look at another interesting area of collecting. -- Derek Redmond
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