Hobby Master 1/48 HG1603 Willys MB Jeep RAF 12230, WWII
Hobbymasters HG1603 1/48th scale diecast model of the Willys MB Jeep used by the RAF during WW2.
Wanting to replace their outdated light vehicles the U.S. Military received three tenders. Bantam Car Company was the initial winner but couldn’t meet demand so the job went to Willys-Overland Motors. Willys was to take the best design features of the three submitted tenders and build a standardized vehicle. Eventually in order to meet an even greater demand the Ford Motors Company was asked to build a similar vehicle. During World War II there was a total of 647,870 Jeeps produced by the three companies; Willys-Overland produced 362,841 of them.
The USAAF and RAF created tactical air forces to support ground troop on D-Day and beyond. The RAF named theirs Second Tactical Air Force (2 TAF) commanded by Air Marshall Sir Arthur Coningham and consisted of 4 groups. One Group was No. 83 commanded by AVM Harry Broadhurst. 2TAF was responsible for 24 hour defense of ground forces using 1 Mustang wing, 4 Spitfire wings and 4 Typhoon wings. The 2 TAF was mobile with personnel requiring movement between all the groups. One means of transportation was the Jeep.