Hosted by Darren Baker
Vietnam Gun Truck build Step by Step

thomokiwi

Joined: January 11, 2006
KitMaker: 438 posts
Armorama: 359 posts

Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2010 - 10:08 AM UTC
Weathering looks excellent. Did you gain or loss colour after you sprayed matt over the MIG pigments

mother

Joined: January 29, 2004
KitMaker: 3,836 posts
Armorama: 1,370 posts

Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2010 - 10:29 AM UTC
You’re killing me Miloslav, another super great looking Guntruck, weathering is nicely done, really like the dried on mud on the tires.
Happy Modeling,
Joe
Happy Modeling,
Joe

bulivyf
Vendor

Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,450 posts
Armorama: 2,409 posts

Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2010 - 10:40 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Weathering looks excellent. Did you gain or loss colour after you sprayed matt over the MIG pigments
I tried to mix Pigments with Filter. Then I used Testors acrylic flat varnish, pigment has the same color.
Miloslav

joegrafton

Joined: October 04, 2009
KitMaker: 1,209 posts
Armorama: 1,143 posts

Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2010 - 11:42 AM UTC
Brilliant! I'm really glad you've posted this thread Miloslav.
This is really going to help me build my guntrucks.
Thanks. I'll be watching this one closely.
Joe.
This is really going to help me build my guntrucks.
Thanks. I'll be watching this one closely.
Joe.


sauceman

Joined: September 28, 2006
KitMaker: 2,672 posts
Armorama: 2,475 posts

Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2010 - 12:48 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextNice job Milo, really nice weathering as usual![]()
cheers
Thanks Rick. How to go on with the LAV III?
Miloslav
Your welcome,
Actually got some time at the work bench today

cheers

sfctur1

Joined: December 12, 2007
KitMaker: 643 posts
Armorama: 497 posts

Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2010 - 02:14 PM UTC
Thank you again for the updates. That weathering is just awsome. Keep yp the great work.
Tom
Tom



bulivyf
Vendor

Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,450 posts
Armorama: 2,409 posts

Posted: Monday, August 16, 2010 - 04:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Thank you again for the updates. That weathering is just awsome. Keep yp the great work.
Tom![]()
![]()
Thanks Thomas.
Miloslav

bulivyf
Vendor

Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,450 posts
Armorama: 2,409 posts

Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 09:42 AM UTC
More photos of the painting and weathering. Wheels are now completed. Also, cab and bed is finished. Now I do interior and weapons.



To be continued.
More Photos
http://www.realmodel.cz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:m54-qace-of-spadesq-build-step-by-step&catid=41:work-in-progress-&Itemid=85



To be continued.
More Photos
http://www.realmodel.cz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:m54-qace-of-spadesq-build-step-by-step&catid=41:work-in-progress-&Itemid=85

sfctur1

Joined: December 12, 2007
KitMaker: 643 posts
Armorama: 497 posts

Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 12:48 PM UTC
Looks great, can't wait to see the finished vehicle.
Tom
Tom



joegrafton

Joined: October 04, 2009
KitMaker: 1,209 posts
Armorama: 1,143 posts

Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 08:03 PM UTC
Hi Miloslav,
This build is really helpful. I love the finished wheels. They look a very light grey in colour. How did you paint the wheels?
I love what you've done with the build so far!
Joe.
This build is really helpful. I love the finished wheels. They look a very light grey in colour. How did you paint the wheels?
I love what you've done with the build so far!
Joe.


cheswickthecat

Joined: October 13, 2007
KitMaker: 212 posts
Armorama: 208 posts

Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 08:09 PM UTC
looking very nice at this point! well done!
Terry
Terry

bulivyf
Vendor

Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,450 posts
Armorama: 2,409 posts

Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 09:01 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Miloslav,
This build is really helpful. I love the finished wheels. They look a very light grey in colour. How did you paint the wheels?
I love what you've done with the build so far!
Joe.
![]()
Joe,
I using Vallejo Color - Panzer Aces set. There are two shades of color on the tire.
Miloslav

bulivyf
Vendor

Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,450 posts
Armorama: 2,409 posts

Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 09:02 PM UTC
Quoted Text
looking very nice at this point! well done!
Terry
Thanks in your commended.
Miloslav

skarik

Joined: February 08, 2005
KitMaker: 324 posts
Armorama: 295 posts

Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 11:40 PM UTC
Hi Miloslav,
let me also congratulate. This is an awsome build. I especially like the weathering. The two different shades of dust/mud make it looking soooo real!
No prostě skvělý, fakt se mi to líbí.
Jirka
let me also congratulate. This is an awsome build. I especially like the weathering. The two different shades of dust/mud make it looking soooo real!
No prostě skvělý, fakt se mi to líbí.
Jirka

bulivyf
Vendor

Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,450 posts
Armorama: 2,409 posts

Posted: Friday, August 20, 2010 - 03:05 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Miloslav,
let me also congratulate. This is an awsome build. I especially like the weathering. The two different shades of dust/mud make it looking soooo real!
No prostě skvělý, fakt se mi to líbí.
Jirka
Thanks Jiří,
Miloslav

KeepingTheAceMemory

Joined: February 02, 2011
KitMaker: 3 posts
Armorama: 2 posts

Posted: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 04:41 AM UTC
Hello "bulivyf"...
First let me congratulate you on your incredible talent; building a Vietnam-era guntruck.
My reason for adding this note is to say how surprised and honored I am to find your work on the Internet. The original pictures you have for the Ace of Spades guntruck are my pictures! That was my fiancé, Michael (Mike) Hunter, you are showing with the .50 caliber machine gun, and the Ace of Spades guntruck #114 he was on when he was killed on February 16, 1971. The Ace of Spades guntruck has a tremendously proud history in Vietnam. I am including a copy of its history, which you may find to be a valuable asset to your model. There were many, many guntrucks that served equally proud during Vietnam. These trucks were all customized by individual crews - with the sole purpose of protecting the convoys with the awesome firepower that was needed; the Ace stands on its own! Each year we have a "Gathering," or reunion, of Transportation veterans - the majority have served on a guntruck during Vietnam. Several former crew members have rebuilt their guntrucks and display them throughout the year - traveling all over the United States to inform the public of this little known and seldom documented part of our history. The Ace of Spades has been rebuilt, in exact detail, to its original from Vietnam. She's special. Thank you again, for this surprising "tribute."
ACE OF SPADES GUNTRUCK
523rd Transportation Company,
39th Transportation Battalion, 8th Transportation Group
Vietnam 1968-1972
The Ace of Spades guntruck was built in Vietnam in July 1968 by members of the 523rd Transportation Company, as part of the implementation of a ‘hardened convoy’ concept developed by the commander of the 8th Transportation Group.
Its primary mission initially was convoy security on Route 19 through the Central Highlands of Vietnam, through the An Khe and Mang Yang passes. It also convoyed on QL1 along the coastline from Da Nang to Khe Sanh.
On 21 October 1970, the Ace of Spades was hit, and the entire crew was wounded. Nick Caruso was the only one to return to duty with the 523rd Transportation Company.
The Ace of Spades was transferred north in 1971 to participate in Operation Dewey Canyon II, a part of Operation Lam Son 719. American forces supported Vietnamese forces in their attack across the Laotian border to cut enemy infiltration routes and to destroy North Vietnamese staging areas in Laos. For many years, the enemy had controlled the area of Laos adjacent to South Vietnam and had built up extensive defenses. The operation ended on 9 April 1971.
In the aftermath of Operation Lam Son 719, combat operations were conducted in areas of Cambodia adjacent to the South Vietnamese border. Losses were heavy in Lam Son 719 both for the Army of Vietnam and the US Army supporting helicopter crews. The ARVN lost almost 50% of their force. U.S. aviation units lost 168 helicopters; another 618 were damaged. Fifty-five U.S. air crewmen were killed, 178 wounded, and 34 were missing in action as a result of the operation, which lasting until 6 April 1971.
On 16 February 1971, while supporting Operation Lam Son 719, between Vandergrift and Khe Sanh, the Ace of Spades went over a cliff, killing the driver Michael R. Hunter.
Another truck participating in Lam Son 719 was Satan’s Lil’ Angel, transferred from the 669th Transportation Company to the 523rd Transportation Company. Spec4 Calvin Bennett and driver Spec 4 Robert Thorne survived after being hit with an RPG on 20 February 1971 while supporting Operation Lam Son 719. Richard B. Frazier was killed and the NCOIC, Chester Israel was wounded. Bennett and Thorne were given the opportunity for reassignment, but declined in favor of rebuilding their truck. This truck was to be named Proud American, but before the name was painted on the truck, it was hit with an RPG, killing the driver Robert Thorne and severely wounding the convoy commander 1LT James Baird. The truck was rebuilt using parts from Satan’s Lil’ Angel and Proud American, and renamed the Ace of Spades.
On 19 March 1972, the Ace of Spades, Uncle Meat and the Black Widow were taken to Da Nang and stripped of their names and their armor. However, the Ace of Spades gun box (and possibly the entire truck) went to the 572nd Transportation Company and renamed Gypsy the Bandit.
The current Ace of Spades is a rebuild of the Vietnam-era guntruck, built and owned by Sammy Seay of Rogersville, Tennessee in 2003-2004. Seay, who was a crewmember on the Ace in Vietnam, was helped in the rebuild by numerous guntruck veterans and supporters. Its first public display was the Gathering II in June 2004 at the US Army Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis, Virginia.
First let me congratulate you on your incredible talent; building a Vietnam-era guntruck.
My reason for adding this note is to say how surprised and honored I am to find your work on the Internet. The original pictures you have for the Ace of Spades guntruck are my pictures! That was my fiancé, Michael (Mike) Hunter, you are showing with the .50 caliber machine gun, and the Ace of Spades guntruck #114 he was on when he was killed on February 16, 1971. The Ace of Spades guntruck has a tremendously proud history in Vietnam. I am including a copy of its history, which you may find to be a valuable asset to your model. There were many, many guntrucks that served equally proud during Vietnam. These trucks were all customized by individual crews - with the sole purpose of protecting the convoys with the awesome firepower that was needed; the Ace stands on its own! Each year we have a "Gathering," or reunion, of Transportation veterans - the majority have served on a guntruck during Vietnam. Several former crew members have rebuilt their guntrucks and display them throughout the year - traveling all over the United States to inform the public of this little known and seldom documented part of our history. The Ace of Spades has been rebuilt, in exact detail, to its original from Vietnam. She's special. Thank you again, for this surprising "tribute."
ACE OF SPADES GUNTRUCK
523rd Transportation Company,
39th Transportation Battalion, 8th Transportation Group
Vietnam 1968-1972
The Ace of Spades guntruck was built in Vietnam in July 1968 by members of the 523rd Transportation Company, as part of the implementation of a ‘hardened convoy’ concept developed by the commander of the 8th Transportation Group.
Its primary mission initially was convoy security on Route 19 through the Central Highlands of Vietnam, through the An Khe and Mang Yang passes. It also convoyed on QL1 along the coastline from Da Nang to Khe Sanh.
On 21 October 1970, the Ace of Spades was hit, and the entire crew was wounded. Nick Caruso was the only one to return to duty with the 523rd Transportation Company.
The Ace of Spades was transferred north in 1971 to participate in Operation Dewey Canyon II, a part of Operation Lam Son 719. American forces supported Vietnamese forces in their attack across the Laotian border to cut enemy infiltration routes and to destroy North Vietnamese staging areas in Laos. For many years, the enemy had controlled the area of Laos adjacent to South Vietnam and had built up extensive defenses. The operation ended on 9 April 1971.
In the aftermath of Operation Lam Son 719, combat operations were conducted in areas of Cambodia adjacent to the South Vietnamese border. Losses were heavy in Lam Son 719 both for the Army of Vietnam and the US Army supporting helicopter crews. The ARVN lost almost 50% of their force. U.S. aviation units lost 168 helicopters; another 618 were damaged. Fifty-five U.S. air crewmen were killed, 178 wounded, and 34 were missing in action as a result of the operation, which lasting until 6 April 1971.
On 16 February 1971, while supporting Operation Lam Son 719, between Vandergrift and Khe Sanh, the Ace of Spades went over a cliff, killing the driver Michael R. Hunter.
Another truck participating in Lam Son 719 was Satan’s Lil’ Angel, transferred from the 669th Transportation Company to the 523rd Transportation Company. Spec4 Calvin Bennett and driver Spec 4 Robert Thorne survived after being hit with an RPG on 20 February 1971 while supporting Operation Lam Son 719. Richard B. Frazier was killed and the NCOIC, Chester Israel was wounded. Bennett and Thorne were given the opportunity for reassignment, but declined in favor of rebuilding their truck. This truck was to be named Proud American, but before the name was painted on the truck, it was hit with an RPG, killing the driver Robert Thorne and severely wounding the convoy commander 1LT James Baird. The truck was rebuilt using parts from Satan’s Lil’ Angel and Proud American, and renamed the Ace of Spades.
On 19 March 1972, the Ace of Spades, Uncle Meat and the Black Widow were taken to Da Nang and stripped of their names and their armor. However, the Ace of Spades gun box (and possibly the entire truck) went to the 572nd Transportation Company and renamed Gypsy the Bandit.
The current Ace of Spades is a rebuild of the Vietnam-era guntruck, built and owned by Sammy Seay of Rogersville, Tennessee in 2003-2004. Seay, who was a crewmember on the Ace in Vietnam, was helped in the rebuild by numerous guntruck veterans and supporters. Its first public display was the Gathering II in June 2004 at the US Army Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis, Virginia.

bulivyf
Vendor

Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,450 posts
Armorama: 2,409 posts

Posted: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 05:18 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hello "bulivyf"...
First let me congratulate you on your incredible talent; building a Vietnam-era guntruck.
My reason for adding this note is to say how surprised and honored I am to find your work on the Internet. The original pictures you have for the Ace of Spades guntruck are my pictures! That was my fiancé, Michael (Mike) Hunter, you are showing with the .50 caliber machine gun, and the Ace of Spades guntruck #114 he was on when he was killed on February 16, 1971. The Ace of Spades guntruck has a tremendously proud history in Vietnam. I am including a copy of its history, which you may find to be a valuable asset to your model. There were many, many guntrucks that served equally proud during Vietnam. These trucks were all customized by individual crews - with the sole purpose of protecting the convoys with the awesome firepower that was needed; the Ace stands on its own! Each year we have a "Gathering," or reunion, of Transportation veterans - the majority have served on a guntruck during Vietnam. Several former crew members have rebuilt their guntrucks and display them throughout the year - traveling all over the United States to inform the public of this little known and seldom documented part of our history. The Ace of Spades has been rebuilt, in exact detail, to its original from Vietnam. She's special. Thank you again, for this surprising "tribute."
ACE OF SPADES GUNTRUCK
523rd Transportation Company,
39th Transportation Battalion, 8th Transportation Group
Vietnam 1968-1972
The Ace of Spades guntruck was built in Vietnam in July 1968 by members of the 523rd Transportation Company, as part of the implementation of a ‘hardened convoy’ concept developed by the commander of the 8th Transportation Group.
Its primary mission initially was convoy security on Route 19 through the Central Highlands of Vietnam, through the An Khe and Mang Yang passes. It also convoyed on QL1 along the coastline from Da Nang to Khe Sanh.
On 21 October 1970, the Ace of Spades was hit, and the entire crew was wounded. Nick Caruso was the only one to return to duty with the 523rd Transportation Company.
The Ace of Spades was transferred north in 1971 to participate in Operation Dewey Canyon II, a part of Operation Lam Son 719. American forces supported Vietnamese forces in their attack across the Laotian border to cut enemy infiltration routes and to destroy North Vietnamese staging areas in Laos. For many years, the enemy had controlled the area of Laos adjacent to South Vietnam and had built up extensive defenses. The operation ended on 9 April 1971.
In the aftermath of Operation Lam Son 719, combat operations were conducted in areas of Cambodia adjacent to the South Vietnamese border. Losses were heavy in Lam Son 719 both for the Army of Vietnam and the US Army supporting helicopter crews. The ARVN lost almost 50% of their force. U.S. aviation units lost 168 helicopters; another 618 were damaged. Fifty-five U.S. air crewmen were killed, 178 wounded, and 34 were missing in action as a result of the operation, which lasting until 6 April 1971.
On 16 February 1971, while supporting Operation Lam Son 719, between Vandergrift and Khe Sanh, the Ace of Spades went over a cliff, killing the driver Michael R. Hunter.
Another truck participating in Lam Son 719 was Satan’s Lil’ Angel, transferred from the 669th Transportation Company to the 523rd Transportation Company. Spec4 Calvin Bennett and driver Spec 4 Robert Thorne survived after being hit with an RPG on 20 February 1971 while supporting Operation Lam Son 719. Richard B. Frazier was killed and the NCOIC, Chester Israel was wounded. Bennett and Thorne were given the opportunity for reassignment, but declined in favor of rebuilding their truck. This truck was to be named Proud American, but before the name was painted on the truck, it was hit with an RPG, killing the driver Robert Thorne and severely wounding the convoy commander 1LT James Baird. The truck was rebuilt using parts from Satan’s Lil’ Angel and Proud American, and renamed the Ace of Spades.
On 19 March 1972, the Ace of Spades, Uncle Meat and the Black Widow were taken to Da Nang and stripped of their names and their armor. However, the Ace of Spades gun box (and possibly the entire truck) went to the 572nd Transportation Company and renamed Gypsy the Bandit.
The current Ace of Spades is a rebuild of the Vietnam-era guntruck, built and owned by Sammy Seay of Rogersville, Tennessee in 2003-2004. Seay, who was a crewmember on the Ace in Vietnam, was helped in the rebuild by numerous guntruck veterans and supporters. Its first public display was the Gathering II in June 2004 at the US Army Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis, Virginia.
Hello,
Thank you very much for the praise of my work and valuable information on vehicles GunTruck of the Vietnam War. You really appreciate your information, it will help me a lot in my work.
Thanks again.
Miloslav (bulivyf)
pascalbausset

Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 1,416 posts
Armorama: 1,379 posts

Posted: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 - 05:54 AM UTC
Great thanks Deb for these words about the Ace story.
Its alway interesting to ear the real thing related by the real actors
Its alway interesting to ear the real thing related by the real actors


joegrafton

Joined: October 04, 2009
KitMaker: 1,209 posts
Armorama: 1,143 posts

Posted: Friday, February 04, 2011 - 02:12 AM UTC
Hi Deb,
I've sent you a PM. Have you received it yet?
Joe.
I've sent you a PM. Have you received it yet?
Joe.


KeepingTheAceMemory

Joined: February 02, 2011
KitMaker: 3 posts
Armorama: 2 posts

Posted: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 02:57 PM UTC
I sent a reply. Not sure if it was received?

joegrafton

Joined: October 04, 2009
KitMaker: 1,209 posts
Armorama: 1,143 posts

Posted: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 09:13 PM UTC
Hi Deb,
Yes, I received it. I was very busy last night as my little girl is not too well. I'll get onto my reply later today. I hope this will be okay.
Sorry Deb. And thanks for getting back to me.
Joe.
Yes, I received it. I was very busy last night as my little girl is not too well. I'll get onto my reply later today. I hope this will be okay.
Sorry Deb. And thanks for getting back to me.
Joe.

BLACKWATER

Joined: August 05, 2010
KitMaker: 449 posts
Armorama: 441 posts

Posted: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 09:22 PM UTC
Perfect work, thanks for sharing.
Cheer
Blackwater
Cheer
Blackwater



bat-213

Joined: December 30, 2011
KitMaker: 902 posts
Armorama: 788 posts

Posted: Friday, January 06, 2012 - 04:53 PM UTC
great pics of your build,is there any kit that i can get for a gun truck build that i dont have to hack and slash to mack a gun truck?



HeavyArty


Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts

Posted: Saturday, January 07, 2012 - 02:27 AM UTC
Quoted Text
...is there any kit that i can get for a gun truck build that i dont have to hack and slash to mack a gun truck?
Yes, Miloslav has his own company that sells full kits, as well as conversion sets.
Real Model

BigDaddybluesman

Joined: November 17, 2010
KitMaker: 119 posts
Armorama: 81 posts

Posted: Sunday, January 08, 2012 - 11:15 PM UTC
Wow that was a help. I have a bunch of them I ordered from real model and do not yet have the confidence to build them(yet). This will be a big help when I do.
Thanks
Thanks
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