Previously, I’ve modeled nature scenes and a couple of aircraft. I wanted to try an automotive model to expand my modest skills in different direction.
So my latest WIP is of a WW II Willys jeept circa 1943. It turned out to be a bit more difficult than I anticipated. First, I collected a couple hundred diagrams, blueprints, and images of the WW II version of the Willys jeep. It quickly became apparent that there was no standard version as countless modification were made by the manufacturer and in the field. Every image I have of the jeep is different. In situations like this, I normally seek out the people who restore jeeps and WW II jeep re-enactors as they are usually obsessed fanatics for accuracy and details. Alas, all of their jeeps are different as well. Second, I researched the history of the vehicle. I wanted to be inspired by its history as I modeled it. Finally, I learned that it can become a real pain when you try to model down to the individual nuts, bolts, and screws.
In this case, I’ve modeled the visible screws, bolts, etc. on the outside and a few of bolts on parts visible in the undercarriage, including the snaps for the canvass top, though you are not likely to see them in the attached images. This is much like my need for detail when modeling the B-17. I included details that could not be seen in the render but that I wanted to know were in my model.
So here is my Willys jeep WIP so far. The modeling is about 90% complete. The materials are only generic procedurals in cycles so I can separate the major color differences like tires and rim. I haven’t yet UV unwrapped it for serious detailed texturing. The lighting is just generic World environment lighting in Cycles.
I haven’t yet decided if the final scene will be winter, fall or summer; or if it will be in an urban or rural setting. Also, I haven’t yet decided what additional items will be included in the final render. Typically, jeeps had all sorts of items like lanterns, packs, rations, ammunition boxes, coffee pots, personal items, etc.
The finished model will be fully textured in a WW II scene with appropriate lighting and with some accessories.
I expect the texturing to be difficult only because I’m not an artist and so creating the illusion of mud, chipped paint, weathering, etc are not in my skill set, but if you don’t give it a try, you’ll never learn new skills.
BTW, the dashboard instruments are accurate according to the consensus of multiple images of 1943 Willys jeeps; the round yellow sign on the front is a “bridge sign” which indicated to the engineers managing bridge crossings what the maximum weight of the vehicle was. Typically, the Willys would have a circular bridge sign with a “2” on it indicating that it could cross bridges that could support two tons or more. You will also see square bridge signs with a “3” on top and a “2” on the bottom. This indicated that if the jeep had a trailer, the bridge capacity had to support at least three tons.
I only modeled enough of the chasse to give the illusion of more detail. But there is no engine, transmission, or other details that would not normally be visible from the outside.
When finished, this model (as all of my models are) will be available on Blend Swap with a CC-0 license. Actually, I’ve been considering uploading this model to Blend Swap in two versions. One will be my completed project in a finished scene. But I thought it might be interesting to upload a second model with just generic materials and UV seams and challenge the Blend Swap community to create their own historically correct textures of different version of the jeep such as the British SAS version in Africa, Marine Corps versions, Navy versions, Army Air Corps versions, Coast Guard versions, and different Army versions. Also there are different version such as the radio jeep, the medical evacuation jeep, the wire laying jeep, and the list goes on. There were jeeps with .50 and .30 cal. machine guns, jeeps with trailers, pack howitzers, recoiless rifles, and the list goes on.
General of the Army (5 stars) George C. Marshall once said that the jeep was the most important weapon the US had in WW II. More that 600,000 were built and it provided mobility, utility, flexibility, and situational innovation that was unknown to that time. True, the atomic bomb and many other weapons were important, but in the opinion of many historians including Generals Patton and Marshall; the jeep was key to victory.
I’m a student of many different histories, including WW II; and so I would hope my texturing challenge on Blend Swap would inspire other modelers to do their own research for historically accurate textures for the jeep. By doing so, they, like me, would discover the fascinating history behind the jeep.
Comments are welcomed.