Alabama Slammer

[PR19_Kit]

Sound about as stupid as car prototype designations.

[Wardukw]

Sound about as stupid as car prototype designations.

Basically...not alot of imagination going on there I would suspect 😆
Once ya understand it tho it's a pretty simple system..ya want a real mind bender ..the Japanese with their Type system...everything seems to be Type this or Type that and ya really have to know how that works to sort out it's yr .
Here's one for ya bud...Isuzu Type 94a (TU 10) light truck...the number indicates it was built in 1934 or 2594 in the Japanese system   

[scooter]

Oh no!

Why do they give the SAME number to a tank and a rifle? 

Each has a name and the M number. Try understanding the designation for different variations! Then there is the T number for new designs and prototypes that has nothing to do with the M number that is given if the item is actually accepted........

And then there's the stock listing (FSN/NSN).  And each component of that piece of equipment has its own separate stock number.

[Rick Lowe]

It's all so that 'Those in the Know' can look down on those who try to use the correct designation, but sound silly because they don't really understand the system...
Not saying it's right, just human nature...

[PR19_Kit]

Don't get me going about 'NATO Stock Numbers' please! 

When you already have a pretty obscure model and part no. system going in your company, and then have to apply an NSN to EACH single item as well! It's enough to drive sane people to drink, even if they don't!

[Gondor]

I remember some forty-odd years ago when I was in the RAF, stationed on the north Cornish coast, stores got a phone call asking why they had just ordered a Battleship? Apparently they had got one digit wrong in a parts request. 

Gondor

[zenrat]

It's all so that 'Those in the Know' can look down on those who try to use the correct designation, but sound silly because they don't really understand the system...
Not saying it's right, just human nature...

You've tried buying something you are not quite sure the name of from a plumbing trade wholesaler haven't you...
 

[kerick]

I remember some forty-odd years ago when I was in the RAF, stationed on the north Cornish coast, stores got a phone call asking why they had just ordered a Battleship? Apparently they had got one digit wrong in a parts request. 

Gondor

A legendary story in the USAF about a cargo plane wing being actually delivered to a fighter base because of a missed digit.

[scooter]

It's all so that 'Those in the Know' can look down on those who try to use the correct designation, but sound silly because they don't really understand the system...
Not saying it's right, just human nature...

But then again, you're not going to draw out an Abrams from the arms room, just as you're not going to motor pool to sign out a carbine.

I remember some forty-odd years ago when I was in the RAF, stationed on the north Cornish coast, stores got a phone call asking why they had just ordered a Battleship? Apparently they had got one digit wrong in a parts request. 

Gondor

A legendary story in the USAF about a cargo plane wing being actually delivered to a fighter base because of a missed digit.

I got told a story by one of the cops in my hometown, back when I used to do the ambulance thing, that his brother, a former F-4 mechanic with the Air Force, switched a couple of numbers when ordering parts for the Toom he was working on...and got a call from a certain three letter agency, because he'd wound up ordering a part for the Blackbird.

[NARSES2]

And there's me thinking the Customs Tarrif system was complicated   

At least the World's customs authorities could agree on the first 6 digits. EU took it to 8 and during my time I think the US mananged to eke it out to 13. Lawd knows what it is now 

[PR19_Kit]

Customs Tariff codes pale into insignificance beside NATO Stock Numbers!

When you're actually shipping something that has an NSM abroad, then it gets REALLY crazy!     

[kerick]

While I was at the Roscoe Turner Invitational in Indianapolis, Indiana I stumbled across a set of resin wheels for a 5 ton truck. I wasn't even looking for it but for ten bucks I said sure! I don't know if they will work as the brake drums are molded in and they look kind of skinny. The brake drum problem would cause me to chop up the axles which I would rather not do at this point. Here's a picture so let me know what you guys think.





The detail on the side of the tire and wheel is great.



Compared to the military tire they look skinny. There's no practical way to widen them either that I can see.

[Old Wombat]

Military tyres are often a bit wider & built tougher than civilian tyres, & the tread is more "all-terrain".

However, the civvies should still be quite functional, maybe even a touch more "optimal", for regular road driving.

[Wardukw]

There's a few large benefits using civilian truck tyres over military tyres on big trucks ..there quieter ..much easier to steer and have better all round performance in all weather's on tar sealed roads ...they do pretty good offroad to a point..the braking is better and so is keeping in a straight line while driving with many less corrections .
Better fuel economy too .
You'll see that the front tyres on alot of Vietnam War gun trucks had civiy front tyres on the front..much easier steering and control 😀

[kerick]

I'm going ahead with the kit tires and wheels. If I had found these civilian tires and wheels earlier before I glued all the axles together I probably would have used them. Oh well, saved for next time.
The Slammer is now overall sand. I have pictures to prove it!



Side view.



Bull bars.



Backside.



And the ladder still works!
A great deal of final assembly still needs to be done but this is a major hurdle to have overcome. I'm anxious to get the wheels on ASAP. I have decals I made and some from both kits. I just wish I had some gloss that didn't change the color. The paint right now looks just right. At least by the time I get back the paint will be thoroughly dry and ready for gloss of one kind or another.
Tomorrow starts our trip to sunny Florida. Saturday is already booked for a fishing trip. I hope I catch some something for dinner! No, not the flu either!