Preview update: "...And a book?" More info on Takom's new releases

More on Takom's 16th-scale jeep & trailer & the "Big Box" set of T28 / M28 kits PLUS an exclusive book sold only with the big set in our updated preview...

Preview update: "...And a book?" More info on Takom's new releases

US Army 1/4 Ton Utility Truck w/ 1/4 Ton Trailer & Driver

From Takom

1/16th scale

Kit No #1026

Photo-etch included 

Kit designed by Jason Studios

The kit comes with one figure included

The Subject: The original "1/4 ton utility truck & trailer"

With the United States' involvement in WWII on the horizon, the government recognised a desperate need to replace its ageing fleet of Model T's, calling for a small, lightweight, three-seat, four-wheel-drive vehicle. Karl Probst started work on his design for a barely solvent truck company called Bantam on July 17, 1940, and finished two days later.  By the 22nd, the entire proposal—including cost estimates—was handed in to Uncle Sam.

Bantam didn’t have the capabilities to produce the sheer quantity needed to fight the Nazis, so the Army brought Willys and Ford to the table and handed them the blueprints. Ford had a number of innovations on its "Pygmy" design, while the Willys Quad, shown, even featured four-wheel steering.

The front's legendary shape was actually Ford's contribution – with the war looming, emphasis on both quality and ease of production meant Willys had to adopt several components, not the least of which was the Pygmy’s flat front grill, shown here.

While it’s commonly thought that “jeep” is a truncation of a General Purpose vehicle, or GP, that’s likely wrong. Ford’s version was officially named GPW, where G means Government, P refers to the distance between the wheels (80 inches), and W stands for Willys, since the vehicles Ford produced were technically under licence from Willys. 

The trailer from the kit is seen here behind the Jeep

Alternately, some say it was common lingo to refer to all military prototypes as “jeeps,” and that “peeps” even entered the lexicon briefly. All we know is...maybe?

The most interesting theory is that Jeep is named after a cartoon character. This little guy’s name is Eugene the Jeep. He’s a character in “Popeye” that was first drawn up a few years prior to the Bantam 4x4.

In the 4x4's first public outing, it was driven up the steps of the U.S. Capitol

When asked what it was, the driver replied simply, “It’s a jeep.” Two years later, Willys-Overland filed a trademark application.

A few other interesting subjects in the Willys family a modeller might take on...

New features revealed by the 16th scale 1/4 tonne truck w/trailer & driver from Takom

OK, we do not know much as of yet about this kit apart from the CAD art, but now we have the CAD images; there is more to glean about this kit – the trailer, the roof section and the driver give the model maker several options to choose from.

- 1/16th scale injection-plastic kit with photo-etch parts included, designed by Jason Studio from an original version of the Jeep. The driver is included in the kit, as is the rear-mounted MG and a cable-cutting device on the front of the vehicle. The Jeep's rugged chassis and running gear/suspension are faithfully represented, along with the full engine & steering plus suspension gear.

- Full engine and chassis detail provided with opening bonnet (hood) that will show it off. The seats and driver's controls are all included, of course. Front wheels can be posed by the modeller also.

All four wheels of the completed kit move/roll (if that's your thing...)

The small utility trailer can be used with the canvas cover on or off; there are US petrol cans and other stowage included

The driver is also designed by Jason Studio and is the same as the driver you have seen before from Takom.

Photo-etched parts are included in this kit, and they make up the thinner parts, like the chain and other kit parts that are too fragile or thick in plastic.

The cover for the jeep and the windscreen come in up or down options.

T28 Super Heavy Tank (Gun Motor Carriage T95)

From Takom

Kit No

1/35th scale

Metal parts & Photo-etch included

4 marking choices included

The Subject: The T28 & T28 A1/A2 Super Heavy Assault Tank

The T28, later redesignated the T95, was an American super‑heavy armoured vehicle developed during World War II with a very specific purpose: breaking through the formidable German Siegfried Line. Conceived in 1943 and weighing roughly 95 tonnes, it featured exceptionally thick armour—up to 12 inches in places—and a powerful 105 mm T5E1 gun designed to destroy concrete fortifications. Unlike conventional tanks, it lacked a rotating turret, mounting its gun directly into the hull. This unusual configuration gave it tremendous frontal firepower but severely limited its ability to engage targets off‑axis.

Power of the bush! "I nearly didn't see you there..."

Manufacturing delays and shifting wartime priorities meant the first T28/T95 prototypes were not completed until early 1946, months after the war had already ended. By that time, the Siegfried Line had long been breached, leaving the massive vehicle without a battlefield role. Only two prototypes were ever built; both were used primarily for engineering tests rather than combat. Despite its impressive armour and armament, the tank’s enormous weight, slow speed, and poor mobility made it impractical for postwar military needs.

After the programme was cancelled in 1949, the prototypes met very different fates. One vehicle was damaged by an engine fire in 1947 and eventually scrapped, while the other vanished until it was rediscovered in 1974 abandoned in a field at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Today, the surviving T28 rests at Fort Moore, Georgia, serving as a rare reminder of the U.S. Army’s brief experimentation with extreme heavy‑armour concepts. Its unusual design and limited production have since made it one of the most recognisable and historically intriguing armoured prototypes ever built.

The T28 more closely resembled an assault gun and was redesignated as "T95 gun motor carriage" in 1945, but in June 1946, the vehicle was redesignated again as "super heavy tank T28". The M28 A1/A2 version was never made but several changes and upgrades were proposed for the T28 that never left the drawing table (or Wargaming's mind.)

The kit features:

Coming in two boxings, the "T28 Super Heavy Tank (Gun Motor Carriage T95)" & the "M28A1/A2 Super Assault Tank".

This kit features either four or two sets of tracks for your choice but gives the full setup with either transition or travel modes with opening compartments.

Clear parts are included for the vision ports & lights, along with a 105mm gun made from turned metal. Photoetch is, of course, included for the thinner parts of the kit.

The road wheels and suspension can be posed, with two different types of track and suspension included. A jig is included for the track assembly also.

For travel mode, the extra tracks can be shown posed as towed behind the vehicle.

The T5E1 gun can be posed in the limited range of the real gun.

The hatches can be posed opened or closed, and the top MGs can be rotated; the sponson winches can also be rotated.

The stowage from the real T28 is replicated very well in this kit.

M28A1/A2 Super Assault Tank

From Takom

Kit No

1/35th scale

Metal parts & Photo-etch included

4 marking choices included

The real stowage from the museum's T28 is included along with the barrel-like fuel tanks for this version.

Two types of possable suspension and tracks are provided for the kit, along with a track jig to assemble all of those four track runs!

A CAD mockup of the towed sponsons in travel mode.

Both of the 1200 mm & 155 mm guns for this version can be posed in a rather limited range, but the same as the real thing may have been.

Both guns are supplied in metal with turned barrels, the infrared searchlight is above the gun, and the photo-etch is provided for the thinner parts of the model. Twisted brass cable is provided for the towing cables also.

The sponson winches and the top MG can be rotated. Hatches can be opened or closed and clear parts are provided for the transparencies of the kit.

The sponsons can be towed in travel mode, and they have internal spaces that can be displayed opened or closed.

"T28 / M28 Big Set"
(Includes both the T28 & M28A1/A2 Super Assault Tank kits and the book.)

From Takom

Kit No 2209W

1/35th scale

Metal parts & Photo-etch included

4 marking choices included

Plus a book, you say?

Most of you are familiar with Takom's sets that give you one or two model kits with something extra in them. This one has something different and special.

In the 2209W "Big Box" set, you get not only the two kits but also this book, a specially commissioned limited edition, about modelling and detailing your own kit. 

Over 500 images and 68 pages, this book shows us not about the history but the details of the real thing, plus detail shots of existing and archive pictures of the machines throughout their history. It will be available only in the set 2209W from your local hobby supplier.

These kits should be available in April

That is all we know about this release for now. You can see more about Takom's kits on their website or on their Facebook page