My new project!!



I'm not trying to go for 100% accuracy on this project as I kinda wanna turn this into a gun truck/support truck sort of... But still keeping it relatively close to an mtvr... Anyways as usual comments and criticism of all sorts are welcome

The Mk23 is a really nice kit. Check out my build review of it here for some pointers.

One other thing, the armored cab/bed Mk23 is not usually used as a prime mover for the M198. Usually, it would be used to patrol with infantry in the back. An M198 prime mover could have the armored cab, but not normally the armored bed too.

I stand corrected. I guess they can have the armored bed too. Here are a couple pulling M777s, the replacement for the M198.




The M198 might be a little early for the armored version though. The M777 replaced the M198 in 2005. The MTVR Armored System (MAS) was fielded in 2007. I can only find M198s w/unarmored Mk23s. Unfortunately, there is no model of the M777.

Updates: I finished building the chassis which im not gonna post pictures until it's painted. That was a pretty busy build and fairly detailed! Wish I could say the same with the cabin... Why would they go as far as making decals for the placards for the doors but nothing else?! They might as well just leave everything out but the steering wheel! So I did some scratch building.... Which im really not a fan of.....

Hey Gino
Did both the Army and Marines use this truck? Looks awesome thinking of getting one. I have Trumpys M198....

I think just the marines and navy use the mtvr.. i think the army uses the m1086

The Army uses the M1083 5ton for towing the M777
the M1086 is the extended bed 5 ton and is not used for towing artillery

You guys are correct. The US Army doesn't use the MTVR. It is only a Navy & Marine vehicle.

Has anybody used the black dog conversion set!?!? The molds and parts at awesome but the instructions are crap!!! Am I supposed to take off the exterior details so the surfaces are flat? Also the roof looks outta wack like it's too short or something. Does this armor get bolted on everything on the real thing or does everything get removed??

Just keep the rear wall, add new doors, new roof, new windscreen. Not an easy conversion indeed, I have built it a few times ago. A lot of crooked parts need to be straighten before used.

But for a correct cab, the conversion should have included a new rear wall because the one in the Trumpeter kit is not armored. To simulate armor on the rear wall, I've glued some thin styrene sheet on the external side, rear window is obturated.

And the Live Resin turret is not easy to build either, because of the turret walls don't fit well.

That looks f*ck$ng awesome! How did you get the roof on? The resin piece seems to small and did you have to shave off all the exterior bump outs or did you just attach the resin piece right over everything?

I don't remember well how I did, but I think the top thickness on left and right sloping sides and on the front of the roof, need to be sanded.

And details molded on the bottom of the original windscreen need to be removed too, to be abble to apply the new windscreen.



A lot of positioning tests are needed. Hope this will help.

You helped alot!! I finally got the roof on... And what a nightmare but everything lines to pretty good... I even cut a small hole in the passenger armor plate to show the vent. Here are some updates

Hahaha! What the f*ck is this?!

Yup, they showed that in their 2020 catalog. Based on how quickly they get kits out, we should see it by about 2025.

Hahaha very true gino! I heard that it's gonna release in October this year so I think I gonna put this project on hold until I see a review of that kit. If it's not that much better than the black dog conversion then I gonna stick to plan and keep mine somewhat close. But, if the new kit is awesome then I will turn this project into a full blown gun truck and go for accuracy on the the newer kit

Perfect !