I would be all over that Greg if something does become available. For right now I will just use a different paint color.

Back on page 21 of this thread we touched on the subject of alternate shipping markings for containers:
_________________________________________

Generic 20ft ISO Container Decals
- started by barra733 (Ian Barraclough)

http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/251471&page=1#2128682

Not sure if this has been mentioned earlier or not.... The Minimanfactory will sell their container decal set to those that need it.

Thanks Taylor for the tip. I am not in any rush.

I wish Miniman would list them on their website under decals.

Tonight I built the Trumpeter ISO 20' container. I am posting a few pictures here just to show the quality of the kit and the size of the container - relative to the HEMTT.

(The container kit is very simple but well engineered. I do wish they had offered working door hinges. I glued mine closed but they can be posed in the open position if desired.)

Also I did some work on placing kit decals and adding AM headlights to the HEMTT. (Do not understand why Italeri failed to include the inside driver's door safety placards. Would have been a simple - almost no cost - addition to the decal sheet.)



Oshkosh badge yet to come from the etch set.

Wow! Just wow!!!

It is looking great and coming together nicely. I hope to get some paint on my PLS this weekend too.

FYI, I just started an M1076 PLST scratchbuild. Wonder how long it will take `til Trumpeter annonces the trailer?

Well Hans do the rest of us a favor. Many of us want that M1076 trailer and we all know some manufacturer will offer it just as soon as you finish yours!

Thanks guy!

I am not sure if I gave Trumpeter my PLST references years ago.

Feel free to pass those trailer references in this direction as well!

I know this makes me a choosy beggar but the A4 HEMTT vehicle has been in service for over six years now by the US Military and its' Allies - WHY would a model company finally introducing a "new" HEMTT choose to model the HEMTT A0/A1 vehicle that has been in service since 1980???





I realize we modelers may wish to portray an earlier time period in the recent conflicts but for instance if we are going to build a Patriot PAC-3 launcher wouldn't it have been nice for it to be offered with the latest A4 tractor?

I know, I know; I'm never satisfied.

(Photos used here are the property of Oshkosh Defense, LLC and are used here for discussion purposes only.)

I agree that an A4 HEMTT would be a great model, however, not all PAC-3 PATRIOTS are pulled by M983A4s. An older M983 can be/is often used w/a PAC-3. The below is from Jan 25, 2012 and shows C Battery, 3d Battalion, 4th ADA Regiment conducting a mobility exercise in the CENTCOM AOR. I'm sure some are still pulled by older M983s today as it takes time to replace older systems w/newer ones.

Gino I realize what you are saying and I agree with the reality of it. It just seems that an A4 ought to be out there and available already. Like I say I just want too much. I am already waiting impatiently for Trumpeter's HEMTT LHS

I think the hobby industry has now found the Patriot/HEMTT nitch and it is just a matter of time till the A4 rolls in our front door, (or maybe a resin conversion.)

ALSO hoping for a PLS like your great conversion!

p.s. Did you know the Army has a remanufacturing program going on now with Oskosh Defense? The Army is returning old A0s and A1s to the factory for a full frame off restoration to current A4 standards and each conversion then comes with an "as new" warranty and a brand new registration number!

Hopefully an A4 model or resin conversion will be soon. Some of the parts already exist. The air cleaner is the same one in the Real Model M1070 HETS Engine set. The suspension is the same as on the Trumpeter Mk 23 truck. You would still need the new cab, engine enclosure, radiators, etc., etc., etc...Someday...

A PLS would be awesome too...of course, right after I finish mine.




I do know about the remanufacture program. We actually do it with most vehicle types (M1A1 AIM Abrams, M2A3 Bradleys, M88A2, etc.). It is much cheaper to rebuild them than it is to wait on new builds and then have to dispose of (sell or scrap) the older versions.

Lexington, KY is located at the major intersection of I-75 (North/South) and I-64 (East/West). We therefore see more than our share of stripped Bradley chassis loaded onto flat beds heading for remanufacture.

Also they used to do some sort of HEMTT refurb at the old Rockwell Heavy Axle Plant in Winchester, KY so we used to see a lot of HEMTTs being moved in and out of there.

Those were the days!

Several small details got added tonight:

- - -
Driver's Side Door Info Placards from the Eduard set *. . . . . Antenna Mount and Fuel Filter Shield from the Voyager set


NBC sensor and Sun Visors again from the Eduard set.


* Someone really should offer these driver's door
placards as a single decal! Placing the six individual Eduard
printed metal plates was a bit of a bear!

I am probably the last to find this but a great scratch/conversion by "Project: Modeling" going on over on Facebook.

HEMTT A3 Electric Hybrid with Phalanx - WOW!





Each axle has its' own electric motor. The engine and generator set are transverse mounted for better cooling and use of space, (The engine is a DOUBLE turbo, blown, V-8 diesel), running at optimum rpm driving an electric generator which also charges a large bank of capacitors. The capacitors supply peak electric output when called on for hauling heavy loads or for acceleration.
All with up to a 40% savings in fuel!

(Watch for new high storage density capacitors to be taking the place of batteries in both near term and long term future electric and electric hybrid vehicles. - Advantages are really QUICK recharging, way more efficient regenerative braking and unlike batteries, almost unlimited service life!)

MORE - HEMTT A3 Electric Hybrid with Phalanx







Seriously good stuff here!

Hi Michael, how many more interesting HEMMT projects, are you going to put out?

Maybe even more than Trumpeter!

I am really excited about this HEMTT A3 hybrid project vehicle. I used to work for a Fortune 100 electrical equipment manufacture and had a loose association with their electrical vehicle program. Got to attend a lot of electric vehicle industry events in the US and see many functional vehicles. I am very impressed that Oshkosh went the capacitor route rather than battery on their hybrid vehicle.

My vote is that this technology will most likely be the shape of things to come for the world wide vehicle industry in the very near future.

Just ordered a pair of the Trumpeter Mk 23 trucks to get the necessary drive line parts for my next HEMTT.

Looks like my Second HEMTT will be a scratch/conversion A3!

Lol dang! I've been wanting to build a Mk. 23 for awhile now.

Well if you end up needing Mk 23 spare parts I will be your guy.

(Yeah, I may have to end up getting a third one cause it looks like a fairly interesting vehicle in its' own right.)

That A3 looks really cool. Can't wait to see how yours comes out.

On another note, the Mk 23 suspension is the same as on the HEMTT A4. So you might want to stock up on a few more Mk 23 kits.

I could kick my self for not picking up the marked down MK 23 at my LHS last week. I may have to take a 2 hour drive to see if is still there.