This a a AFV Club M-49 A2 model that I have backdated to a M-49A1 multi fuel Tanker. I drove a trucks like this in Vietnam. It was called Lil Squirt. I hauled Potable Water to different units stationed at or near Cu Chi Vietnam, for the 25th Inf Div and 36/86 Sig Bn. You can go to my favorite site and click on M-49 tanker

I have posted photos on the Armorama MSN site http://groups.msn.com/armorama/lilsquirt.msnw?albunlist=2

Wow Animal :-) That is awesome.
I love the weathering, and the subtle rust... Looks so realistic, and the tires are superb
How did you do tje dirt on the tires, if I may ask?

Great work

I use a flat clear with dark earth and desert armor sand mixed. After I mix the colors I let the paint sit. The color will settle to the bottom. I shake it a little bit and paint in on the tires, making sure to cover the lower portion of the treads. after the mud dries I brush on clear flat to loosen some of the mud color from the high points of the tire. after it dries I apply plain old soft dirt from the Rust-All system. I cover the entire model with the dust and lightly blow some of the dirt away leaving some in the corners and crevis' . For the rusted areas I use rust-all with a little black wash added. I give the areas that I want some rust several coats of this solution. When this dries, I use flat clear to soften the rust color. The exhaust is painted with MM rust color and followed up with the rust-all solutionand baking soda to give the flaky look of heavy rust. This is also covered with a flat clear coat.

I just love those trucks of yours Dave! I was going to ask about your weathering techniques, but I see that you've explained it above.... thanks. Your models are very, very convincing!!

Thanks for the kind words Kevin. By the way love your web site. It is one of the best and easiest sites that I have visited. The tech info is outstanding.

I'm not sure of the tankers today, but the truck that I have depicted here is fuel tanker. The tank and all the pump system was flushed and steam cleaned at the decon station at Cu Chi. Ther were several of these trucks converted to carry water along with the external tanks place in the back of 2 1/2 ton and 5 ton cargo trucks to haul water. Cu Chi was a large base camp of the 25th Inf Div and all the support units. It was a 24 hour job just keeping everybody supplied with H2O. Not counting the fire bases and Arty site around Cu Chi.

Hi animal!
I love your M49; great work!
I was wondering (since you want trucks): have you ever considere doing a M51 dump-gun-truck? It's in the guntrucks book by Squadron publications. I know Real Models does an M51 dumptruck conversion (for Italeri I guess) would be a nice model not?

kind regards
Mark

Mark.. It is on the list to build...

Heh heh - I hope we're not modeling the same one!

Animal - great tanker! I like them, but don't know too much about them. What's next on your workbench...

Gunnie

I will be building one of the dump trucks from James' book. I think you know wich one. My next project is the 28 foot S & P trailer with cargo with the M-54 tractor. I am going to attempt a dolly rig also.

Great - I'm doing a different M51 Dump when I finish up with these two gun trucks. I started up again on "Easy Rider" while I was waiting for paint to set on "Camel". I think that I'll stay with that one until I done with it...

Gunnie

I am looking forward to seeing the camel done. I checked out your site last night . How do you like working with the Brass tubing. Seems it would be closer to scale in thickness than plastic. Going to have to try some.

I use it every chance I get - I like it. I bought a bag full of sample sizes and thicknesses 10 years ago and still haven't run out. It was worth more than the $5 bucks I paid for it. It is close to scale thickness and naturally considerably stronger than plastic tubing.

I got bogged down (I call it) this week in putting markings on "Camel". Lately I've only had literally a handful of minutes - so - I put a decal here one day, a decal there the next day, and so on...

No matter though - I got the fighting compartment markings on without problems - the most important of all on the gun truck. The rest are easy...

Gunnie

I am going to pick some of the tubing this week at the local Hobby Town USA shop. I really like the looks.