Ricks' Ramblings

[buzzbomb]

Mate you are on a real roll with stellar builds

[Rick Lowe]

Thanks 

[Rick Lowe]

1/72 US Army Vietnam Guntruck **Real World**

There were a number of M-35 Cargo trucks converted into fire support vehicles, to escort convoys along the main highways during the Vietnam War.
They evolved over time from fairly simple conversions to quite elaborate vehicles, later versions mounting miniguns and even a couple with the hulls of M-113 APCs on the rear deck.
The rear boxes were demountable, so they could be transferred to another chassis, should the original be too badly damaged to be quickly repairable.

The model is based on the diecast that came with the Military Machines magazine.
That was the version with the M-55 quad .50 MG turret, but I wanted something a little different – or more regular, if you prefer.

The rear box is 20thou card in 2 layers, scored to represent the separate plates used and separated by spacers of scrap.
The gaps between the sheets were filled with sandbags and ammo crates, per the original.
I added a new front armour plate.

The floor is 2mm sheet, scored to represent the .50 ammo tins placed there to provide reloads.
The guns came from the turret provided, and I only had to reposition one of the ammo tins to the left side of the gun, as I made one of the mounts a twin.
There is a ROCO radio in there, as well as a food container. The spare wheel was repositioned to behind the rear box.

The cab was armoured and rear-view mirrors were scratchbuilt with fuse wire mounts, which was fiddly but I got there eventually.
Other little details as required.

These vehicles were usually painted black, with sometimes quite elaborate artwork.
Paint was Humbrol with tube acrylic Mud.

I don't recall where the markings came from; I think I was able to remove the original transfers and replace them when the painting was done, as they weren't stuck down that well.
There are (or were) 1/76 markings available for these, but as I was short of money at the time and I only really wanted one and not the eight that are on the sheet, I didn't get any and elected to go for something generic and representative.

References were a couple of scratchbuild articles in FineScale Modeler, and pictures from an internet search.

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[Rick Lowe]

And here are the completed pics.

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[Wardukw]

For such a small model you did one hell of a job on that mate..love it 😀 😄

[zenrat]

What Phill said.

 

[NARSES2]

That really has come out well 

[kerick]

Excellent!
It reminds me to get on with the Alabama Slammer.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/12ebxd2/when_all_the_road_warrior_gun_truck_mods_were/

[Rick Lowe]

Thanks, guys. 

Yeah, the Slammer is pretty unique. Not sure I want one, but it shouldn't be too difficult to get sorted. 

Sadly, the pics are a bit dark... I must remember to ensure the light is switched on, on the camera... ah well, Learning Curve.

[Wardukw]

The Slammer still has me thinking mate..ita pretty cool but that led me in another direction and this one I am already planning   
Yep ..double wacko ..this is gonna be a combination of the Slammer and something which shoots very very fast 😉 😊

[Rick Lowe]

Look forward to that. 

[Wardukw]

Look forward to that. 

Forgot to tell ya..couple of days ago I scored a Legends Productions gun truck conversion for AFV Clubs M35 of trademe  ...sweet eh ? 😆
I can hear what you're thinking bud ..nope ..zero plans for it ..it was cheap at $20 so we'll worth getting it. 

[Old Wombat]

Inspiration will come when the time is right.

[Rick Lowe]

Look forward to that. 

Forgot to tell ya..couple of days ago I scored a Legends Productions gun truck conversion for AFV Clubs M35 of trademe  ...sweet eh ? 😆
I can hear what you're thinking bud ..nope ..zero plans for it ..it was cheap at $20 so we'll worth getting it. 

Yup, sweet indeed!

Yeah, I've a few of those - "It would have been rude not to at the price, and I know I'll never see one again (or at least nowhere near as cheap)."

Ah well - it's not as if plastic or resin go mouldy or stale... 

[Wardukw]

Look forward to that. 

Forgot to tell ya..couple of days ago I scored a Legends Productions gun truck conversion for AFV Clubs M35 of trademe  ...sweet eh ? 😆
I can hear what you're thinking bud ..nope ..zero plans for it ..it was cheap at $20 so we'll worth getting it. 

Yup, sweet indeed!

Yeah, I've a few of those - "It would have been rude not to at the price, and I know I'll never see one again (or at least nowhere near as cheap)."

Ah well - it's not as if plastic or resin go mouldy or stale... 

I've not thought about that as an excuse Rick 🤔 😄
It's one I'm gonna remember and us 

I'm going to have to move my pile of AM boxes around to fit in all the other ones I scored too 😅
I think 3 more plus the gun truck conversion to find a hole for