Proud Kraut Posted April 24, 2022 Share #1 Posted April 24, 2022 Like several other gun trucks "King Cobra" saw action during the Vietnam War. These gun trucks were discussed detailed here at our forum in the past. If you search the USMF for "gun trucks" & "King Cobra" you´ll find several topics with more informations and many photos of this vehicle in action. Since this model was released by AFV-Club in 2020 it was on my to-do list. It´s for sure one of the more expensive 1/35 scale models but when I unboxed it I realized that these are in fact two kits plus additional parts. It´s an entire M54 truck plus a nearly entire M113 tank (without tracks). The model contains of 26 (!) sprues, photo etched parts and of course decals which copy the original painting of the truck. Unfortunately there are no figures including so I have to add some other ones. So welcome to another modelling project. Here are some pictures of the box and the sprues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC_COLLECTOR Posted April 24, 2022 Share #2 Posted April 24, 2022 I was able to go through a parade on a gun truck! It was quite the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted April 25, 2022 Share #3 Posted April 25, 2022 Good luck with building that kit. It looks like a real challenge, but I know you have the skill and patience. I am looking forward to seeing the finished model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted April 25, 2022 Share #4 Posted April 25, 2022 That looks like a challenging kit, but I've seen what you do with trucks, and I have faith in your skills. This is going to be one for the ages. BTW I hope you find figures for it. Bravo6 might have something. I'll check. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 25, 2022 Author Share #5 Posted April 25, 2022 23 hours ago, USMC_COLLECTOR said: I was able to go through a parade on a gun truck! It was quite the time. If you have a photo of this truck it would be nice if you could post it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC_COLLECTOR Posted April 26, 2022 Share #6 Posted April 26, 2022 Here's the link to the truck's story as well https://www.freedomvehicles.org › proud-american (The last one is me after the parade 🙂) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC_COLLECTOR Posted April 26, 2022 Share #7 Posted April 26, 2022 Slightly different type of truck, and the only one in the west! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC_COLLECTOR Posted April 26, 2022 Share #8 Posted April 26, 2022 Here are two pics from another topic showing a similar truck... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 26, 2022 Author Share #9 Posted April 26, 2022 These are some great photos, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted April 28, 2022 Share #10 Posted April 28, 2022 I was doing some research at the museum this morning (unrelated to gun trucks) and I found these two images of some gun trucks in Vietnam with quad 50's on 2 1/2 ton trucks. The rear bumper of one truck looks like it was assigned to 2FF (2nd Field Force). I will post more images as I find them, I have a box of discs I have to search through, there are about 500 CDs with photos on them.. These 2 images were in PDF format, hopefully they went through.. Most of the images are JPEGs and TIFs Best regards, stay safe Leigh AAA P87.34.23.pdf AAA P87.34.14.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted April 29, 2022 Share #11 Posted April 29, 2022 Hey Lars, unfortunately the only figure I found of a driver on Bravo6 was that of a helmetless "Mech Mule" Driver B6-35079 and Master Box has 3 figure box called "Charlie on the left!!!" MB35105 with a jeep driver. I hope these help. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 29, 2022 Author Share #12 Posted April 29, 2022 Manny, thanks so much for posting these figure sets! Both look great and I just ordered the MB set because it contains of a driver plus two riflemen. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony V Posted April 29, 2022 Share #13 Posted April 29, 2022 Lars What a great looking model, looking forward to seeing your work as always. Thank you for the posting Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake36bravo Posted April 30, 2022 Share #14 Posted April 30, 2022 Guess this is a good time to unpack these: 563rd Transportation Company in Vietnam , August 1971 author James Axsom Photographer unknown 'The Big Kahuna' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake36bravo Posted April 30, 2022 Share #15 Posted April 30, 2022 Wish I had one of King Cobra. Will be interesting watching this build. I have the standard ICM gun truck I believe in the stash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted April 30, 2022 Share #16 Posted April 30, 2022 Believe it or not, I actually have a photo of King Cobra on the road. Photographer and location unknown, but this came with a lot of photos all from someone who rode with supply convoys. Note the extra high exhaust stack aimed outward.... probably to avoid sending exhaust towards the crew in the APC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted April 30, 2022 Author Share #17 Posted April 30, 2022 Thank you Tony! Many thanks as well to snake36bravo and Gil for posting these fantastic photos! Only slow progress these days for several reasons. Will post some first photos of the frame soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted May 1, 2022 Author Share #18 Posted May 1, 2022 I think we discussed this in a couple of threads before. The detail of the kit is impressive but... I just completed step 10 of 48. What you see is the (almost completed) frame consisiting of 156 (!) parts. I´m afraid most of them wont be visible at the finished truck. Anyway it´s a fun build so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted May 1, 2022 Share #19 Posted May 1, 2022 That is looking very good. Nice work on the chassis frame and suspension. I guess you're right, you won't see this but once you paint and weather it; it will add that realism to the kit. I like the fact that the front tires can be steered. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted May 19, 2022 Author Share #20 Posted May 19, 2022 A quick update. I´m still working on the frame, the wheels and the cab. Many tiny parts, great details but also a time-consuming built. Meanwhile the MB figure set has arrived, here´s a picture of the sprue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted May 25, 2022 Author Share #21 Posted May 25, 2022 I nearly finished the truck yesterday. It still can be taken apart for better painting results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted May 26, 2022 Share #22 Posted May 26, 2022 It is looking great! You are putting it together quickly for one with so many parts. ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted May 28, 2022 Share #23 Posted May 28, 2022 Lars, this is coming along very nicely. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m60a1d66 Posted May 31, 2022 Share #24 Posted May 31, 2022 On 4/29/2022 at 6:53 PM, snake36bravo said: Wish I had one of King Cobra. Will be interesting watching this build. I have the standard ICM gun truck I believe in the stash. Prior to 2017 I used to work on JBLM (Ft Lewis) and at the paint shop at our Maintenance Facility there was a Display board of the Vietnam Vets that worked there. Joe Cruz, who served in Vietnam, was a painter who retired from the paint shop in 2017. He had told me that he painted the King Cobra art work on that 5 ton. I do not know if it's true or not, but Joe was hard worker and an honest guy who painted military vehicles for over 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m60a1d66 Posted May 31, 2022 Share #25 Posted May 31, 2022 Just now, m60a1d66 said: Prior to 2017 I used to work on JBLM (Ft Lewis) and at the paint shop at our Maintenance Facility there was a Display board of the Vietnam Vets that worked there. Joe Cruz, who served in Vietnam, was a painter who retired from the paint shop in 2017. He had told me that he painted the King Cobra art work on that 5 ton. I do not know if it's true or not, but Joe was hard worker and an honest guy who painted military vehicles for over 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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