Oxford Diecast 76WMB002

Willys MB US Navy Seabees

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)

Manufacturer description

This Willy's MB jeep appears as the World War II transport for the US Navy Seabees, Naval Construction Battalions (CBs), hence the name! The Battalion was founded in March 1942 as a military construction unit comprising 7000 active personnel and nearly 7000 reservists. Their almost cartoon-like logo featured a bee in flight, wearing flying goggles with each limb carrying a construction tool of some kind.

The men were skilled workers but also trained to take up arms and resume a military role when required. One of their several mottos is a reminder of this 'We build, we fight'. In 2017, the Seabees celebrated their 75 years of service without having changed from their original concept.

In celebration of the Seabees' role, our open top Willy MB Jeep is decorated in a rich naval blue with naval military markings in white and yellow and a pale grey interior. Given the task in hand, note the additional supply of aerials, tools and fuel tank. In real life, the first deployment of the Seabees was to Bora Bora following Pearl Harbor, which brought the USA into WWII.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Willys MB US Navy Seabees is an 1/64 scale die‑cast replica of the World War Two Willys MB jeep used by the United States Navy Construction Battalions, commonly known as the Seabees. The model is supplied under manufacturer part number 76WMB002 and is presented in an open‑top configuration.

The Jeep is painted in a deep naval blue with white and yellow military markings, and the interior finish is a pale grey. The kit includes an additional aerial, a range of construction tools, and a fuel tank to reflect the vehicle’s dual role as a transport and a mobile workshop. The livery and accessories are intended to represent the vehicle as it would have appeared during the early period of the Seabees’ service.

The Seabees were established on 01/03/1942 as a construction unit of the US Navy, initially comprising 7 000 active personnel and a similar number of reservists. Their emblem featured a bee wearing flying goggles and holding various tools, and the motto “We build, we fight” reflected their combined civilian and military responsibilities. The first operational deployment of the Seabees was to Bora Bora following the attack on Pearl Harbour, and the unit celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2017. This model commemorates that heritage.