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Gun Truck "KING COBRA"


Proud Kraut
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Proud Kraut

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.

KC01.jpg

KC02.jpg

KC03.jpg

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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.  

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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

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Proud Kraut
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.

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USMC_COLLECTOR

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 🙂)

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Rakkasan187

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

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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

35079-1.jpg

s-l1600 - Copy (2).jpg

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Proud Kraut

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!

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Lars

 

   What a great looking model, looking forward to seeing your work as always. Thank you for the posting

 

Tony

 

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snake36bravo

Guess this is a good time to unpack these:

 

563rd Transportation Company in Vietnam , August 1971 author James Axsom 

 

1959391334_563rdTransportationCompanyinVietnamAugust1971authorJamesAxsom5.jpg.e9c0fad76d2f04a1ec9eb2e74644b696.jpg

 

1969850494_563rdTransportationCompanyinVietnamAugust1971authorJamesAxsom6.jpg.f5dd5d6e366793a25b8f10ad7c27e5fe.jpg

 

Photographer unknown 'The Big Kahuna'

 

1970.jpg.2caedd8293ab493f17537cf277aa2e32.jpg

 

1103160295_19708.jpg.40f6ba4c641dbf0116969619a57963f2.jpg

 

 

1433560220_19707.jpg.7b50ed30445c9cc2235f1afbb53b9ed8.jpg

 

187764842_19705.jpg.5ca0ea7b9d53e1bb0604355199177df6.jpg

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snake36bravo

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.

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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.

Convoy Escort 4 c.jpg

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Proud Kraut

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.

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Proud Kraut

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.

 

 

KC04.jpg

KC05.jpg

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ArtyScout

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

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  • 3 weeks later...
Proud Kraut

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.

 

 

KC06.jpg

KC07.jpg

KC08.jpg

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Proud Kraut

I nearly finished the truck yesterday. It still can be taken apart for better painting results.

 

 

KC09.jpg

KC10.jpg

KC11.jpg

KC12.jpg

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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.

DSCN3261.JPG

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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.

DSCN3261.JPG

 

DSCN3257.JPG

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