Scale: 1:18
Approx. Length: 7.5"
Approx. Width: 4"
Overall Weight: 1.25kls (2.75lbs)
Code: FV07011

M151A1 1/4 Ton Military Utility Truck

Ford's M151 was the last 1/4 ton jeep-style vehicle to serve the US Military. This 4x4 vehicle was th first employed during the Vietnam war, where it was used by all services in a variety of roles, such as: all around tranport; weapons carrier for machineguns, recoilles rifles and missile launchers; ambulance; and police vehicle.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In 1951 Ford Motor Company gained the contract to design a 1/4 ton 4x4 Military Utility Tactical Truck (hence MUTT) to replace the Korean War jeeps, the M38 and M38A1. The M151 'MUTT' was developed with guidance from the US Army's Ordnance Truck Automotive Command. Design work began in 1951 and testing and prototyping lasted through most of the fifties.

Delivered without accessories, one common configuration was the addition of communications equipment. A special antenna mount could be attached on each rear corner, usually for a VHF radio.

Although it looks much like its predecessors, has the same basic layout and roughly the same dimensions, the M151 actually was a completely new design. Just like jeeps before it, it provides space for four men (including the driver) and some equipment. However - unlike previous jeeps with their steel tub bolted onto a separate steel frame - this vehicle had a unitized monocoque that was created by integrating the box frame rails into the sheet-steel body-structure. Eliminating the separate frame gave the M151 slightly more ground clearance, while at the same time lowering the center of gravity. Also it was a little longer, wider and roomier than previous jeeps while retaining the same light weight.

The second big technological departure came in the area of the suspension design. Unlike having rigid live axles front and rear as was customary on all previous military jeeps (actually still has been on all Jeep CJ's and Wranglers even to this day), the M151 was equipped with independent suspension with coil springs all around. This made it capable of high-speed, cross-country travel with high maneuverability and agility while at the same time providing a more comfortable ride.

Third, this jeep didn't need to be designed in such a hurry as the wartime original, so this gave technicians the time to engineer it such that all maintenance and basic repairs could be done with a minimal tool kit under field operating conditions. It is said that you can fix anything on it with a straight and Phillips screwdriver, a 1/2 inch open/box end wrench and some wire.