1/35 Ford GPA Jeep - Tamiya 35043  [35043]

The Ford GPA 'Seep' (from Seagoing Jeep), ended up being an amphibious as a type of the WWII Ford GPW Jeep. Unlike the jeep, the seep was not an effective design being too slow and hefty on land and lacking sufficient seagoing abilities in available water. Comparable design features happen located in the greater expensive and much more effective DUKW amphibious vehicle.

History and development

After having commissioned Willys, Ford and Bantam create the very first 4,500 jeeps (1500 each) in March 1941, america engine Transport Board set up work within the technique through the nationwide Defense analysis Committee (NDRC) become designated "QMC-4 1/4 Ton Truck Light Amphibian".
The War ended up being on at complete tilt, enough cause of bridges over countries in europe's streams being delivered applications for just one after another, it seemed practical in the event that jeep could swim and drive. So that it stumbled on Roderick Stephens Jr. of Sparkman & Stephens Inc. yacht developers, to build a shape for a 2700 lb (1,200 kg) amphibious jeep, in identical vein as their design the DUKW six-wheel-drive amphibious vehicle. Along with Stephens' hull design appeared as if a miniature sort of that connected to DUKW, and simply want, the 'Seep' would certainly have a screw propellor, driven by an electrical driven take-off, running in a separate tunnel faired inside buttocks bodywork, and an appropriate rudder.
The construction towards car originated in competition by Marmon-Herrington and Ford engine company. Marmon-Herrington specialised in all-wheel drive vehicles. The Marmon-Herrington prototype's hull formed a built-in unibody framework, developed by cutting types from metal dinner and welding those together, a big volume for example the hull or framework of an armoured car. The Ford entry nonetheless utilized a sturdy framework and interior framework, that literally regular automobile kind sheet-steel completed up being welded. This construction made the GPA some 400 lb (180 kg) lighter than its competitor. Plus the GPA's design was in fact indeed good Willys MB and Ford GPW standard Jeeps whenever possible. Whenever discovering and building the GPA, Ford utilized many of the exact same elements your Ford GPW did. The GPA had an inside just like compared to the MB/GPW jeeps, although the driver's compartment had nearly doubly numerous control levers: 2WD/4WD, hi-range/lo-range, capstan winch (in bows), propeller execution and rudder control. After a primary comparison using this two business's prototypes, Ford received a contract for manufacturing starting in 1942.