Dustin & Taylor - It looks like I am IN for the 16.5 ton LHS. Dawg gone it! - if I had just received BOTH kits I would be cutting frame parts right now! (I might start on it tonight anyway! The first and second axles are stock right out of the Trumpeter kit anyway) - trouble is right off the bat I need to extend the frame between the rear of the cab and the #2 axle and for that I need that second kit!

Chris - I am somewhat interested in adding the AIRCO/Red Dot A/C unit to my HEMTT but so far I have not found any reference as to how the outside condenser mounts. Also that Pro-Art kit is seriously pricey so I am thinking I will scratch both the inside and outside parts of the unit using HO diesel locomotive cooling fan grills for the condenser unit.

You may not need to. Mike "MikeyBugs95" Goldberg has apparently stated on the Red Dot units. He posted the following in his "Looking for ideas for what to 3D Print" thread:

"I've also started drawing up a Red Dot R-2400-0 A/C unit. The wall unit should be done soon and I'll then get started on the condenser unit."

Gino I remember now that I had noticed his statement about the AIRCO. Would you perhaps have any reference on how that older twin fan outside condenser unit mounted to the HEMTT cab?

Here is the TM for HEMTT A/C units. It looks like it is the small box on the left side fender in front of the air cleaner. This TM is for a built-in system though, not the Red Dot wall box.

https://az774353.vo.msecnd.net/library/TM/HEMTT/TB-9-2320-279-13-1/TB-9-2320-279-13-1.pdf



Looks like the same unit on this one which most likely has the Red Dot unit.

Way back on page 11 I was asking about just such an item.
_________________________________________________________________________________

What is this?

I am going to hazard a guess and say it might be the cab air conditioning condenser!

Can anyone confirm?


Original un-cropped photo credited to TacAir Publications and Michael Benolkin - Used here for discussion purposes ONLY.

Yup, that's exactly what it is. That is the same type shown in the TM and on "Rolling Thunder" above.

Looks like the die is cast:

I started putting the Mk 23 frame together tonight and I cut the riser boards off the frame that would support the load box so it is now for sure heading in the direction of becoming a 16.5 ton LHS 8x8.

If I can, I intend to wait for the Trumpeter HEMTT LHS to hit the market. I may get a slightly better LHS system plus the X-frame container handler and a much improved HEMTT truck for some future project.

So sweet! I can't wait to see this build also!

The MK 23 is a great kit to start different conversions from, can't wait to see your take on the lhs.

I built the wrecker variant MK 36 "Medusa " awhile back on here, prolly my favorite model I've done .

Does any one have a lead on the Tech Manual for the Mk 23 in general or on the 16.5 ton LHS specifically? References on these vehicles seems to be few and far between, likewise photographs.

Michael, maybe you can build this with your left over parts of the 16.5 ton LHS build.

My thought exactly! Should be enough left over parts to build this shortbed 4x4 "bobber".

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Makes me feel a bit better that the second cab and at least parts of those two loadboxes may not have died in vain.

Good luck, and I WILL be following along on the new build as well.

Wanted to get you guys' opinion on something.

The Italeri HEMTT seats have (to me) always seemed way too short. So here is one possible solution; an extension to the seat back.



My plan is to thin those side pieces even more before attaching the extension.

What do you guys think?

The seats in the Italeri HEMTT are correct for an older vehicle. The taller seats were introduced in the late '90s across all vehicles as the lower seats were causing back issues. But you are correct that for an M1120, it would most likely have the taller seats.

Just finished a Sunday pancake breakfast with my young grandson. I think maple syrup has some of the same physical properties as Super Glue. It runs up your fork and glues your fingers together.

I hope you enjoyed the Pancake breakfast!

Thought you might like to see how the brakes turned out.

Cheers Rob.

Maple Syrup manufacturers, both corporate and private entrepreneurs, got that idea from Continental Army Mil.Spec 00013-and-a-half MS/S-G I & Rev.I & Ia, (2-1-1777, 2-2-1777), way back in General George Washington's day... This spec states the following:

"Maple Syrup", (MS) (ref. Mil. Spec. 00013-and-a-half MS/S-G I & Rev.II) Shall forthwith, (2-1-1777), containe Alchemifts' component S-G (Super-Glue), for the expreffe purpofe, to wit, of binding qualitief, with which the Human Fingerf of the Continental Army, fhall be binded inexorably, to wit once againe, to: Knivef, Forkef, Spoonef and other Sundry Utenfilef... (See Operational Manualf, Ufeage of Eating & Sundry Utenfilef, Mil.Spec. 00001E, Rev.I and Ia)



Beautiful work, Mike!

The brake cylinders look great. Are they cast resin or 3D printed?

They are resin copies of the Trumpeter rear brakes.

Cheers Rob.

Dennis - that's funny

Rob - the brakes turned out nice. You should be able to sell some of them if you put the offer out there. Again I need to get into resin casting!

Thanks, Mike! Thought you'd get a kick out of it!

Gino & Rob- I've been following along with your builds, too!

EXCELLENT WORK by ALL of you guys!!!

Hi Mike
Maybe it's too late for your project, but I've just came some detail pics of a M1075A1 and a M1120A4 on Flickr (mostly chassis & interior views) that may be new to you :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/truckexposure/albums/72157657869859070

H.P.

H.P. - Very nice detail shots towards the end of the post of a HEMTT A1 PLS!