Invicta

I have a 9175 Mitsubishi Model j26 Jeep and am in the process of creating a 6th scale Willys Jeep and a trio of Dads Army figures to go with it. This is in addition to the day job of being a professional gardener! If anyone knows of a good mechanic around these parts I need a problem with second gear sorting out. I have a Japanese exporter and all the Mitsubishi part numbers but not the experience to fix the problem.

Wrecker, I'll give him a go. Many thanks, Bern

Wrecker & FV, Thank you both for your replies. I went down the Model paint line and bought a pot of Model Master (from ModelsRgo) as MM are an American company then went to a local paint suppliers who did a colour match. Next job is to find someone who does reuseable stencils. Once again thank you both for your suggestions, Bern Now all I need now is a warm/dry spell so I can get rubbing down and spraying - don't want much do I!

I appreciate that this isn't a straighforward question as the need never arose for anyone to originally paint a vehicle in the appropriate low gloss forest green in the UK. Can anyone tell me what the Bristish colour code equivalent is to the FS 34052 low gloss Forest Green please? There is a paint/panel trade supplier in Gloucester who will happily mix me the colour if I can give them a UK code. Last year I gave it a shot but ended up with something a bit too "cheerful"! Many thanks, Bernard

Many thanks for such quick and helpful replies. I keep meaning to get down to see the Vietnam reenactment people down at the "Ashchurch Camp" near Evesham and ask but I never seem to get the time. My J26 was made in 1975 by Mitsubishi. The license terms with Jeep was that they would only be made for the home defense force/ home market however a number found there way into the south east asian countries e.g Vietnam, Phillipines, Malaya. Mine was one of 8 sent to the UK for Colt UK to evaluate. As far as I can establish mine is the only one left in private hands. The only other is at Mitsubishi UK. I've had help from a J20 owner in Bangkok (rear lenses) and a J26 owner in Texas (thermostat housing) as well as a member of the owners club in Kyoto who I found via YouTube (carb rebuild kit). The engine is a 2.4 4 cylinder ASTRON with a KM141 4 speed column change box and Hi Low transfer box plus a Warn Overdrive supplied by HermTheOverDriveGuy. The J20 series were used in Vietnam but again as far as I can tell only for shore patrol deployment not as fighting vehicles. As mine was made in 1975 and came direct from Japan I very much doubt it was ever in theatre anywhere. When I repainted I found that a previous owner had put stars on the rear quarters and the bonnet - they Bloomed when I put the paint on - but I think this was just for show. Once again many thanks for the help, Bernard

I have a Mitsubishi Model J26 SWB which was made under license in 1975 and is based on the CJ5B Jeep. I am not getting any luck trying to find the correct American military Jeep colour for that era or a supplier. If anyone has any suggestions they would be appreciated as I went to a local autopaint supplier and they came up with a colour which is a tad too cheerful for my liking Bern Tewkesbury

Pete, Thanks. Sounds like a good weekend. Happy memories of camping with 2 friends on our first motorbike "holiday" - I had a Honda CG175 - down that way. Look forward to it, Bern

Wayne, Ah but the scenary is magnificent (so I'm told). Tony B So it lasted well past the 24 hrs then. Pete, Sounds like you have quiet a collection going on. I'm here in tewkesbury and would appreciate hearing about any Rallys as it's always interesting to chew the fat with other owners of the slightly different type of vehicle. As for the speed if I'd of wanted to go faster I'd of bought a Hinda Fireblade. Deadline, Even if it's the "placebo effect" of the snakeoil I'm happy with this as a running repair. Incidentaly are you a Steve Earle fan as this is the title of one of his songs. Paul D, I'll give them a go. There was one bunch who sounded the business but a guy on the G503 site wasn't impressed as he sent money but never got any parts - the name of the company escapes me. So it's reassuring to get a personal recommendation. Thanks for that. Many thanks to you all. This is the largest response I've had in the past 5 years and gives me some confidance that I'm not totally daft trying to keep my Jeep running (despite what the rest of the family may thinks - and that includes my dog). Bern

Pete, A chap on Soldiers of Steel has put me in touch with an outfit called Paladin Trucks in the states. They import Mitsubishi Jeeps and parts so I'll see if they can help. Many thanks for the advice, Bern

Giles, Rover & TonyB, Many thanks for the welcome. The Mill is now closed but the building still stands. I read an article on Ashchurch last year - during WWII they certainly put some kits together! The Black Bear was used in a film a couple of years ago, I agree nice place. Cheers folks, Bern Tewkesbury (That's not an instruction)

TonyB, And after the 24 hours were up ..... Thanks for the confirmation on this, Bern

Pete, If you are ever out and about get in touch as I always fancy an excuse for a drive out. I've even used the Lo ratio a few times but then the mist quickly cleared Bern

BoomBoom, Just to keep things moving I have put some Slick50 manual gearbox treatment in which I gather covers all the parts with a form of Teflon making them a bit more "slippy". Incidentally I wouldn't put this stuff in the engine as I have read it tends to cover the oilways making them a bit smaller than the manuafacturer intended Thanks for the tip. Steel Soldiers here I come, Bern Incidentally with your motto are you anything to do with Smiths?

Zero Five Two My dad was in the Royal West Kents (as was his). I took the username from his rearing horse cap badge. Nice to see someone spotted it Bern

I have a 1975 Mitsubishi Model J26 Jeep which is based on the CJ3-B (M909?) 5 years ago if I'd of known how rare this thing is I probably wouldn't have bought it but then again I wouldn't have had so much fun. Engine is a 2.6 Ltr petrol 4G53 4 cylinder ASTRON. Gearbox is 4 speed with a Hi/Lo box and, to get it above 50 without the engine exploding, I've had a Warn Overdrive fitted plus 16" rims. Aparently the J20 series were used for Shore Patrol work in Vietnam but as mine was made in '75 it's very unlikely to have been anywhere other than Japan and here. It was imported by Colt UK which makes me think it was only ever a "civillian". I look forward to learning more about Jeeps from the same era and hopefully finding a solution to a gearbox problem. I've already posted the question in the American vehicle forum. Cheers, Bern