Agora Models is a UK company based in London, England that specializes in high-quality large scale models. Agora has administrative offices in Tokyo Japan, North Carolina, US, and in the United Kingdom. The models are shipped from five warehouses around the globe. The first IPMS review sample SAS Jeep Pack 1 was sent from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., USA.

Agora ships its models in 12 monthly parts, called ‘Packs’, that can spread the cost and workload over a longer period. The cost of a model does not change as the Packs are delivered. Agora continues production of the kit as Packs are released and does not release the first Pack without assurances that they can produce all parts of the kit. After production is complete, all Packs of a particular kit can be purchased at one time.

Ways to Buy the SAS Jeep

• 12 months, Pack 1 £59.99 then £119.99 per month
• 24 months, Pack 1 £59.99 then £64.99 per month
• One Express - one single £1299.00 payment. Currently available packs (Packs 1 & 2 for the SAS Jeep) are sent, and others are sent when available without further payment.

Agora uses laser scanning, and 3-D modeling software to create detailed scale reproductions of the original SAS Jeep.

SAS Jeep Background

Frustrated by fatalities in early parachute drop raids, SAS founder captain David Sterling suggested using specially modified jeeps for his deep raids behind enemy lines. The tough, nimble jeep was perfect for the harsh desert environment. The Jeeps were reduced in weight by eliminating unnecessary parts like the windshield, doors, radiator grill bars, and in some cases the front bumper. A water condensing unit was added to recover water from steam generated in the radiator. The reduced weight allowed carrying large amounts of gas, water, and ammunition needed for long-range raids.

The SAS jeeps were heavily armed with both Browning and Vickers K machine guns producing massive firepower from the fast-moving jeeps.

References

• SAS Willys Jeep, Agora Models
• Willys MB Jeep 1943 Desert SAS spec
• An SAS-Specification 1942 Ford GPW – A WW2 North African Desert Survivor
• The Story of the SAS Jeep

Features of the Agora SAS Jeep Kit Include

• Functioning lights and sound
• Electrostatic pre-painted parts in British Standard Color No.61 Light Stone ('Desert Yellow')
• Replica single- and twin-mounted Vickers machine guns
• Replica Browning machine gun
• Accessories including hats and bags
• Upholstered seats
• Metal wheel channels, canvas cover and jerry cans
• Bagnold sun compass
• Detailed L134 "Go Devil" Willys 60 hp engine

Electrostatic painting gives the kit perfect finishes, smooth and glossy.

Specifications

• Scale: 1:8
• Materials: Body and chassis made from zamak metal, commonly used for diecast parts. Also plastic, vinyl tires, chains, ropes, and fabric upholstery.
• Length: 16”
• Width: 8 11/16”
• Height: 11”
• Weight: 11 1/4 lbs. approx.
• Number of parts: 600 approx.

Whether to Weather

Agora's SAS Jeep model is perfectly formed and finished, without a scratch, dent or variation in the glossy paint finish. However, the images of Jeeps in WWII are much more realistic, showing the environmental damage caused by the harsh desert conditions. The SAS Jeeps would have faded paint finishes, dents from rough abuse, stains from leaks, and sand everywhere. I plan to build the Jeep more realistically, showing the effects of wartime conditions.

Pack 1 Contents

The SAS Jeep Pack 1 contains a seemingly unrelated series of parts: the grille, hood, one wheel & tire, and the engine. All the parts are neatly packed & protected in clear plastic trays that display the parts clearly. The empty packages can be used to protect sub-assemblies until they are needed for assembly.

Instructions

Instructions are not included with the kit Packs but are available to view or download from Agora’s website. PDFs are used for the instructions so they can be downloaded and printed for a hard copy. I plan to use my laptop to view the assembly steps online during the build which will allow zooming in for greater detail. Photos are used in the instructions with numbered parts to show each assembly step. The photos are very sharp & clear. Agora provides “Advice from the Experts” with tips on tools and assembly.

The Pack 1 Instructions for the SAS Jeep are in 5 ‘Stages’

1. Stage 01: Building the radiator grille
2. Stage 02: Building the bonnet (hood)
3. Stage 03: Building a wheel (1)
4. Stage 04: Building the engine (1)
5. Stage 05: Building the engine (2)

Stage 01: Building the Radiator Grille

All parts are either plastic or metal and are pre-finished. The Grille is sand color on the exterior and olive draft on the interior, which seems consistent with the reference photos.

The first step is to assemble the Jeeps grill, which includes headlight, brackets, shelves, and lenses. The driving lights and brackets are also installed. All of the parts are installed with screws or a press fit, no adhesives are required. This will allow taking apart some of the assemblies later for weathering and painting.

The screws are extremely small and self-thread into either plastic or metal. It seems like the screws were about to be stripped to get a tight fit, but luckily they did not. I pre-threaded the screws into the holes before installing the parts to make sure the screws were straight. Agora recommends using oil on the screws to make it easier to thread into the bonnet. I found it was not too difficult to thread the screws without lubricant, but adding a bit of bar soap made it easier.

Stage 02: Building the Bonnet

Hold down clamps for the hood are installed in this stage. Screws are used to mount the plastic parts. The screws will be quite visible in the finished model, so I plan to fill the phillips heads prior to painting.

Stage 03: Building a Wheel (1)

One wheel and tire is included in Pack 1. The tire has a non-directional tread NDT pattern with a center molding seam. Seeing new copies of this tire shows they also have a center seam. Side wall marking for the tire is GOOD YEAR 6 PLY 6.00–16.

The reference photos for the SAS Willys Jeep show both military NDT treads and civilian tires mixed on the vehicles, probably due to whatever the SAS could scrounge.

Stages 04 and 05 Building the Engine

The engine block and manifolds are assembled in stage 04, and the ignition wiring is added in stage 05.

The engine block, halves, head, and oil pan are all metal. The exhaust and intake manifolds are plastic. All the parts are painted or molded in olive drab, which is consistent with the reference vehicle. The two halves of the engine block don’t join together tightly so I will be filling and sanding the joint prior to painting. The joint probably won’t be visible in the completed vehicle. When I installed the head on the engine block, the front right pinhole needed to be drilled out for the head to sit down tightly.

I didn’t install the ignition piping at this point as I will be taking the engine apart for painting.

Summary

Pack 01 of the Agora SAS Willys Jeep is a pleasant build that is not too difficult. Less experienced model builders will also enjoy building this kit. There are many tiny screws included with the kit, which is the only difficult part to work with. The screwdrivers included with the kit work well with enough pressure to avoid stripping the screw head. All the parts are prefinished so painting is not required to build the kit. The size and heft of the completed subassemblies starts to give a feeling for the ultimate size of the kit.

Subsequent Packs of the SAS Jeep will be reviewed as they are released.

Many thanks to Agora Models for providing this marvelous kit to IPMS for review.