Is there a kit for a US fuel truck, the kind that might have serviced USMC aircraft on Pacific islands in WW2? The AFV Club M49A2C looks the part, but is it post-war? Many of their trucks look to be Korea or Asian armies versions.

And what about AM like tires? Don't want no vinyl tires, thank you very much.

M49 is post WWII. Tamiya has a fuel truck in 1/48 scale that came out in the last couple of years. There's a couple of options for Russian fuel trucks but I'm not familiar with anything current for US/British in 1/35th. Others may know more.

Not an expert, but I found this 1/35 wheel set from DefModel:
DEFDW30007 1:35 DEF Model GMC CCKW Cargo Truck Sagged Wheel Set (TAM/HBS kit)

And from PanzerArt:
Panzer Art 1/35 Road Wheels GMC CCKW Cargo Truck (Firestone) (12 pieces) RE35-313
Panzer Art 1/35 Road Wheels GMC CCKW Cargo Truck (Goodyear) (12 pieces) RE35-314

HTH.

Years ago Italeri did the water truck version of their CCKW deuce and I saw one converted to a fueler. The shapes and bed are there just have to change the layout of the tanks.

Or you could adapt the fuel tanks and bed on the M49 to the WWII 2 1/2 ton of your choice. The details changed but not the basic layout

Airfix and PST make fuel tractor trailers in 1/72.

And at one conversion kit is made in 1/35. I think Azimut did one.

M49A2 were from 1970s and on. Several were in Brigade HQ motor pool, one ancient one was even reserved for MOGAS.

Caliber 35/CMK does a conversion set for the Tamiya 6x6. The CMK website lists it in stock as do Dragon models on Ebay. Price isn't terrible either.

Dave

WARNING ⚠
I tried the CMK conversation kit, but I really can't recommend it. It might just have been my sample, which was pretty bend and warped, but I cancelled the project.
I think Italieri made the fuel version, but as a hard top vehicle.
Jacob

I have a recollection of a short run kit from "Fonderie Miniature" carried by Squadron in the US about 12 Years ago. I can provide no details but it might still be out there in cyberland

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Photos found online. Do not know modeler or both manufactures.

Bill if you start with either the Tamiya or HobbyBoss Deuce kits you will have full plastic rather than rubber tires from the get-go!

I recommend the Tamiya tires as the best in the business unless you go with the resin versions where you then also get raised sidewall lettering and a properly sagged tire.


Of course I also recommend the old Italeri water truck hard cab if you want to go in the metal cab direction with your conversion.

Depending on the aircraft type you have in mind, (and if you're not on a budget ) you can combine two kits from DesKit :

The 2000 gallon fuel trailer (#35132) :



and the Autocar U-7144T :





Here's a cheaper option :

Henderson Field, Guadalcanal 1943 :


Just use this kit for the tractor (even though the one in the picture looks different) :



but finding a 1/35th scale F4F Wildcat (to replace the P-38) will be harder...

H.P.

I think Hobby Boss makes some type of 2 1/2 ton fueler.

That's what i was thinking about:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/244686-hobby-boss-83830-gmc-cckw-750-gallon-tanker

but it's not an airfield fuel truck.

Here is the real fuel truck the HobbyBoss kit is modeled after:

That's the tactical fuel tanker for the Army Ground Forces as opposed to a dedicated airfield fueler . But I suppose if you only got the one somewhere in the Pacific it's better than the tractor and the cart of 55 gallon drums.

Beggars can't be choosers. Personally for the Pacific standard cargo trucks with the fuel drums would be preferable because the fuel arrives in the drums (if no tank farm) and you can put the drums in a safer place than you can park a truck. Have to think about how stuff is shipped and stored. They didn't have the glut of specialized trucks in the PTO that they had in the ETO. It was often easier in the Pacific to off load and reload drums on standard cargo trucks than pump the fuel from the drums into a tanker truck.

More options :

"P-47 Thunderbolts of the 19th Fighter Squadron share the airfield with Marine Corps TBM Avengers, Isely Field, Saipan, Mariana Islands, mid-1944"

Dodge WC-51 truck + fuel trailers


Cletrac M2 tractor + fuel trailers



I'm quite sure you could even use a Ford GTB (from Commander Models) as a towing vehicle as well...



H.P.

Boy I really like the idea of the Celtrac (also available from Commander Models) having something to tow in 1/35th scale other than a Piper L4.

I'm sure you could scrachbuild this :



H.P.

Frenchy, not to get off topic, I am sure I could build that engine lift but what I ready want to build is this Austrialian monster aircraft lift!







So far my two problems are #1. cannot find big enough wheels and tires that I am happy with to use for that front set. (Been shopping the 1/24th scale truck market.) #2. I know there is a vertical driveshaft going from below the truck bed up into that upper winch assembly but I cannot figure out what it is connected to. GM did offer a rear facing PTO to drive pumps, etc. so that might be what is driving the crane thru an extra drive shaft and a 90 degree gearbox.

(Can't build it if I can't build it right!)

For over the road movements of this unusual vehicle the boom would be lowered and the truck would simply rotate 180 degrees and pull the crane assembly like a big goose neck trailer.

HobbyBoss makes one in 1:35, a GMC 750-gallon. I found it on Scalehobbyist.com website

Two tanks 375 gallons each, total capacity 750 gals; plus about 28 five gallon Jerry cans.

See post of real truck about eight photos up.