Helo_Dud Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Here’s a gun truck I’ve wanted to build for awhile now, it’s a M54A2C with a drop side bed and armor plate box. This truck had several weapon arrangements including two mini guns. I modeled my from references found in the Hard Ride book and this truck can be seen on page 24. Brutus in Pleiku in 1971, gunner Larry G. Dahl was KIA and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions aboard this gun truck on Feb. 23, 1971 I started out with Joe Wallace’s help and references and Dave “Animal†great article on converting the M923/5 trucks in to the M54’s I started out using some extra parts from AFV’s M35A1 Nancy gun truck. First the hood was sanded to remove the kit molded detail, then cut and lengthen ¼’’. Then I cut the nose of to square it up. I followed the hoods contour to regain it shape for the new nose. Moving onto the fender, it was scratch built using 1.5mm scrape plastic glued with Ten-X and putty. I than glued everything together, painted the cab and added in some detail. The dials and placards are photo copies from a HUMVEE set and race car dials. The turbo canister was made from a 10mm tube cut 15mm long. Thin strips of tape act as bands and straps, also a wing nut was cut from plastic. The frame and wheels are from the Italeir M925 kit, the frame was cut behind the cab and removed ¼ inch section and glued back together. Small detail pieces were added in along with fuel, air and brake lines. Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helo_Dud Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 I decided to scratch my own bed box using Evergreen Plastic, I used the kit bed for measurements. I decided to scratch my own bed box using Evergreen Plastic, I used the kit bed for measurements. I still need to add in details here and there like grill, tie down loops on bed sides and finish out box and weapons. More to follow, Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jugjunkie Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 WOW Joe, I have to say you are an exceptional modeller mate. Your scratchwork is incredible and so neat. Very nice build sir - take a bow Geoff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Very nice indeed. Looking forward to more progress images. MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Wow! That's some fantastic building right there! Really like how you cut the name from tape! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helo_Dud Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 Most definitely were these trucks so colorful, next to their counterpart the Tuk Tuk…seriously yes they were. Here’s a quote from the book Hard Ride… Their pride “gun truck crew†was reflected in the appearance of their gun trucks with their outstanding artwork and colorful schemes. It’s still amazing to me how the military brass allowed the wild graphics and lettering to be painted onto black gun trucks.Jerry Barnes I’m now working on gun truck 19, 20, and 21. The truck with the APC body will be the King Cobra while the other will be Red Baron and Brutus is on this page. If you’d like to see more, look here. Military Modeling And here is a short video of two 1/35th guntrucks I did, Mafia and Sopwith Camel Video Happy Modeling, Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TonyH Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 (edited) Ok,that's it!!!! I'm sending all my armour stuff to you and going out to buy snap kits!!!! :huh: They sure are purdy trucks though. I have the AFV Club #35034 M35A1 Quad .50 Gun Truck "Nancy" Sure hope I can do it justice compared to yours Joe! Have you ever thought of putting a book together,cause I sure as hell would buy one!!! Something to think about Joe,REALLY! Well,back to the Stryker :D Cheers Tony See you Apr 5th Joe Edited March 18, 2009 by TonyH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helo_Dud Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 Thanks Tony, and if you like to see some others I did over the last few years, look here. Models Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Your work is amazing. I'm just stunned watching you scratchbuild so much of this stuff. I also really appreciate the in-progress pics. Scratchbuilding is a skill I'm just beginning to try so I'm learning a lot from you. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kalashnikov-47 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 This is cool stuff! My oldest brother was in the gun truck business over there. He's got some cool pictures. Like Tony, I have the AFV Club "Nancy" but that's as far as my skills can take me. Your gun truck collection ROCKS!!!!! - Patrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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