Ford GPA Amphibian 'Seep'

[puddingwrestler]

Hello chaps!
I've just scored a Tamiya GPA 'Seep' from ebay (the new limited edition one with the ICM figures!) and obviosouly, it must become part of the San Tortan marine corps (San Torta is unique in having no army, only a Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force). I'm intending to modernize it to about 1970s standards, San Torta having kept the originals in service until about then before replacing them with an indiginous machine from Tortwagen.
I was thinking of fitting a TOW launcher or recoilless rifle for a bit of battlefield support, or at the least a heavy machine gun. What else do you chaps think it'd take?

I might have to do something about converting the figures for use as San Tortan marines - it comes with the original US figures plus four ICM russians, and a second decal sheet of russian slogans etc.

This site on Ben Carlin, an australian who sailed to the US from Australia the direct way (ie: over land when it got in the way!) is also interesting - shows some pics of his modified GPA.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

I've just scored a Tamiya GPA 'Seep' from ebay (the new limited edition one with the ICM figures!) and obviously, it must become part of the San Tortan Marine Corps (San Torta is unique in having no army, only a Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force). I'm intending to modernize it to about 1970s standards, San Torta having kept the originals in service until about then before replacing them with an indigenous machine from Tortwagen.

I would recommend a proper kit-bashing with either a Land Rover or the M151 MUTT to get your modern automotive accessories.  A real plus would be the Tamiya or Italeri SAS Land Rover kits as they have some modern MAG-58/GPMG weapons as well as other odds and ends that would modernize your GPA with minimal effort. 

I only suggest this as I too have had plans for a couple of the GPA kits that I have in protective custody to do the same thing and modernize them with parts from the M151 MUTT kits since I have a quantity of these on hand for that purpose and not so many Land Rovers but either one would be an excellent source for modern utility vehicle parts such as the wheels, seats, and other gear that is in the kit.  An advantage of using the Land Rover (regular or SAS type) is that you could also convert it to right hand drive if you are clever enough ;^)

I was thinking of fitting a TOW launcher or recoilless rifle for a bit of battlefield support, or at the least a heavy machine gun. What else do you chaps think it'd take?

You are going to need a bigger boat if you plan on hauling a TOW or Recoilless Rifle in that tiny thing.  Besides that it would be quite top heavy and tip over in anything deeper than a mud puddle.  Best to keep it simple and fit it with a .30"/7.62mm machine gun and a couple hundred rounds of ammunition, say five or six boxes at the most as you still need to float with your crew on board. 

I might have to do something about converting the figures for use as San Tortan Marines - it comes with the original US figures plus four ICM Russians, and a second decal sheet of Russian slogans etc.

Most unfortunate that your GPA kit is provided with extra figures.  I would have recommended that you acquire the French Foreign Legion figure set from Academy since they are molded in a variety of fashionable uniforms and poses which would lend themselves well to a tropical or beach environment. 



You get one guy wearing what I like to describe as "MC Hammer Jammies" (reminds me of those fashionable parachute pants) and sunglasses.  There is another colorful figure wearing what I would describe as a pair of "Manly Hot Pants" (okay they are very short trousers) and some exotic French peculiar weapons which would be ideal for your San Torta Marines.  The bonus in that little kit is the Kepi hats and a couple of berets which would look quite stylish on your troops as they motor along the coast of San Torta on or off shore 8^)

Academy 1/35 French Foreign Legion Figure kit review by Tim Cromartie on Internet Modeler

[philp]

For an AT role, the Milan or Carl Gustav might work better but I would probably go with the 50 cal just like the regular Jeep hauled around.

[puddingwrestler]

Thanks guys -I'd forgotten just how big TOW and Recoiless rifles are!
Now I want one of those academy kits, the manly hot pants are so completely and totally San Tortan looking

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Here is a link to Lone Rover Photos - Amphibian Vehicles page.  There are several subjects that might be of interest to you including the GPA and the amphibious Land Rover Series II. 

[anthonyp]

...the manly hot pants are so completely and totally San Tortan looking

This scares me on so many levels, and yet I know it's right...

[puddingwrestler]

It scares me as well - espeically since one of my students was wearing something very similar on Wednesday!

[puddingwrestler]

Went to the hobby shops today...
the Tamiya pink panther land rover is insanely expensive - I think they've re-issued it with photo etch or something, cause it's about $50AUD(!) So I got an Academ M151 Israli special which has two MGs mounted and a roll bar among other things. For figs I'm using some Tamiya vietnam era US soldiers. And I've decided to make this into a diorama featuring San Tortan marines misusing thier ride - by going fishing.
Couldn't find the manly hot pants french foreign legionaries...

[philp]

...so you are going to have to make them yourselves.

[puddingwrestler]

No, they will wear less spectacular by more practical long trousers.
Unless... I might have the bottom half of an Afrika Korpsman somewhere in shorts and knee socks...