M29 WEASEL

The Weasel was a compact 4-man amphibious all-terrain light tractor originally of British design and built by Studebaker. Legend has it that it was designed to take part in raids in WWII on German supply infrastucture operating in Norway, and we''re ideal for transporting Commando in harsh snowy and muddy conditions that would leave jeeps & trucks behind. These vehicles also we're usful throughout Europe and served in Alaska, during he Aleusian Campaign, and we''re found in the Pacific ( at least in the Philippines).

    The earliest models [Light Cargo Carrier M28] were prone to some mechanical problems, and the M29 represents several improvements.

 

   Movement in water was possible, but was greatly improved on the Model 29C, by the addition of "buoyancy cells'' , bow & stern

 

 

 

M29C

 

Despite the use of this handy vehicle all during the War, and over 10,000 being fielded, they are little seen in kit form. 50 years ago a Monogram 1/32 kit could be found, {though I''ve never seen this old kit and can''t comment on it} the only other option for building one was the ADV/Azimut resin kit from the 90''s that was the subjuct of the wonderful Steve Zaloga article in Military Modelling Magazine from last October (Vol.40 No.12 2010), which was partly the inspiration for this new kit from LZ

 

 

Many of you have seen the parts for this kit under development by Libor in his initial thread to introduce the LZ Models Weasel HERE  At this stage I do not have all the part yet, in fact some items are yet to be mastered! Normally I wouldn''t start a blog until I had every element at hand (those that know me, know I like to produce a detailed, complete and possibly entertaining show ) Libor and I felt that since there was a good bit of interest in the initial parts for the kit, that some members may be interested to see into the process a little more, and join along in this first test-build. Be aware that we reserve the right to make changes, and add new parts, and of course--- invite your questions & imput!

 

Thank you for joining us!

Adam

 

I'm in!

 

Can't wait!

 

Go for it Adam!

 

Regards,

 

Marc

I'm in and very much looking forward to it Adam

Marc~ My friend who's quick-on-the-draw

This should be a fun one--a little head-scratching here and there--

it's new,........ya know

Paul~ That's great news--we are happy to have you along

 

ok................

1st Parts Shipment~

 

 

 

 

This was one tiny scratchbuild---although this part will likely appear in the kit in the future,and seems to not be found on every example anyways. 

 [ Note: Still to come is the small access panel that fits to the right of  the gauges]

 

It's the driver's oh s**t handle (as us Jeepers call it)

Also note I''ve dressed up the control board with knobs and pulls made from styrene disks make with my Waldron Punch & Die and shaved rivets from Grandtline. I also made one on a streched sprue stalk for what looks like the 'choke'

Simply following photos this is a bit tedious due to small size but not that tuff

 

Some of these features seem to vary from example to example, at least the appearance of the controls seems to, though I imagine they are the same.

 

 

The seats are a simple matter to clean-up and fit, as are nearly all the parts from Libor that are big enough to grip with your fingers

Fitting the seats requires lining-up 'by eye' again

 

Anyone know what that device is fit behind the drivers seat??

 

A hull-down shot into the tight driver's spot

 

walkaround photos by Vladimir Yakubov barrowed for discussion purposes

 

Now we can stand back and have a look while poor Libor labors over what's turning into thousands of roadwheels!!!

 

Still lots of fittings for the hull, a very nice complex windscreen arangement, detailed exhaust,ect,ect,ect.......................

Adam

 

 

Watching this with interest Adam and Libor. Hopefully I'll be getting me one of these.

 

That device behind the drivers seat looks like some sort of torch on a retractable extension lead to me.

Hi Adam,

nice start. I might have finished all the wheel moulds tonight, and will send over the rest of the parts in a couple of days. Had to cast about 400 wheels to make these moulds Then I finally stick on tracks, they should not take too long

Cheers

Libor

Looks very interesting Adam.

 

There are a few pictures of the M29 in the Concord book 'the battle of the bulge' by Steve Zaloga.

 

neil.

Hi Adam,

This will be worth getting a comfortable chair for to relax in while enjoying this blog. A fantastic start, those wheels look like fun.

Cheers

VI