Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Camthalion on April 17, 2020, 01:53:53 PM

Title: M54/M113 Gun Truck
Post by: Camthalion on April 17, 2020, 01:53:53 PM: My attempt at a M54/M113 Gun Truck, naturally after buying all the pieces, AFV club release it all in one box. AFV club M54, Tamiya M113, Star decals. protection on the side windows is scratchbuilt. Drilled out the top of the exhaust stack and barrel of the .50cal.

(https://i.imgur.com/NndqN3C.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rAJfDvO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gVSXqoG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KKmgub7.jpg)

(Take two after fixing the mistake I spotted in my photos)
Title: Re: M54/M113 Gun Truck
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on April 17, 2020, 02:34:48 PM: That is a very impressive looking combination and a major expenditure in funds to make it.

Do you remember the M818 5-ton Tractor Truck that was given the name "Alabama Slammer?" The one that combined the truck with the hull of an M113 that replaced the truck cab so the driver and crew were protected by the M113 armour? Not sure if that was a depot conversion or something put together at the cannibalization point but it was quite a pimpin' ride.

Links to images of the vehicle described:
Some BLOG in Russian Language: ------> https://shushpanzer-ru.livejournal.com/1557901.html
Twitter: ------> https://twitter.com/jag_mt_mvm/status/960537040545832960
Title: Re: M54/M113 Gun Truck
Post by: Camthalion on April 17, 2020, 03:02:03 PM: Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on April 17, 2020, 02:34:48 PM
That is a very impressive looking combination and a major expenditure in funds to make it.

Do you remember the M818 5-ton Tractor Truck that was given the name "Alabama Slammer?" The one that combined the truck with the hull of an M113 that replaced the truck cab so the driver and crew were protected by the M113 armour? Not sure if that was a depot conversion or something put together at the cannibalization point but it was quite a pimpin' ride.

Links to images of the vehicle described:
Some BLOG in Russian Language: ------> https://shushpanzer-ru.livejournal.com/1557901.html
Twitter: ------> https://twitter.com/jag_mt_mvm/status/960537040545832960

Thanks. No never heard of that one. looks interesting, I think I have another M113 hull somewhere
Title: Re: M54/M113 Gun Truck
Post by: Jacques Deguerre on April 17, 2020, 06:49:33 PM: That’s really cool! It’s a great example of a model that looks like a Whif but is actually a real world vehicle!

My vague recollection of the Alabama Slammer was that it was based on the same concept and meant for convoy duty in Iraq. I don’t think it was ever finished and/or wasn’t authorized for operational use. But very cool and a great homage to the VN-era truck Camthalion modeled.
Title: Re: M54/M113 Gun Truck
Post by: GTX_Admin on April 18, 2020, 03:18:40 AM: :smiley:
Title: Re: M54/M113 Gun Truck
Post by: Kerick on April 18, 2020, 01:00:53 PM: I have the parts for an Alabama Slammer. Just need to get cutt’n on it.
IIRC it was built at a maintenance depot in Kuwait by civilian government employees on their off time. I don’t think it ever got used as intended but would make a nice whif.
Title: Re: M54/M113 Gun Truck
Post by: Buzzbomb on April 18, 2020, 03:16:44 PM: Quote from: Camthalion on April 17, 2020, 01:53:53 PM
...., AFV club release it all in one box......

And that is all it takes, somebody to do the hard yards first.

Nice work
Title: Re: M54/M113 Gun Truck
Post by: Story on April 23, 2020, 11:57:21 PM: Smithsonian video on the guntrucks of Vietnam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkc_9JwczaM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkc_9JwczaM)