I have been working on a little project that I have wanted to do. I have converted the Italeri HMMT ten ton kit to represent an example of the M-983 Heavy Tractor. Thanks to Pascal and all the others that came to my rescue in obtaining some Photos I have got this far. The rest of the progress photos will be posted in my gallery here: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/photos/showgallery.php?cat=13165&ppuser=1742 Any comments and suggestions are always invited.

Great work. What did you use for the grating?

Looking good there Dave!!!!!

I use the netting that the elephant garlic is store in at our local food store.



Thanks Matt.
I shortened the chassis to create the proper wheel base. I had to shorted one drive shaft also.

I am now looking for any photos of the M-977 LRPT (Large Repair Transport). I have one photo of this variation and it looks very interesting. If any one has a lead on this one I would appreciate the help.

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Wowwww nice job Dave.
Here one pic with parts that (for me) could be better :


Resin wheelsare better than the ugly Italeri.
The lines (red circle) are much thinner. You can use solder for this
The fifth wheel support can be more accurate (see my pics or the TM drawings).

Now you can scratchbuild the Patriot missile launcher or more very rare a M870 low boy semi trailer !!!!!

I'am very intersesting for pics for the LRPT. Some other project can be a M1120 LHS or a M1997 Ribbon bridge carrier !!!!!!!!!
Cheers
pascal

All I got is the dreaded red x Pascal. Where do you have this photo stored? I am very interested in seeing the photo to see what I can do to improve. I agree that the after market wheels are better. This is an old model that I am experimenting on.

The M-870 trailer is what I have in mind for this one.

Dave,

I think i have some info...... FHRS
(forward Heavy repair sysytem)...... PLS based?????

I'll take any info you have on these trucks. I am going to try to build a few variations if I can.

I have always liked the hemmtt amd never had the nerve to try something like that. It looks great and can not wait for the finished project.

Are you going to put it in a dio.

Happy Modeling

Animal...Dave, I hate you...not really, I just hate that whenever I see one of your new "jobs", it immediately makes me want to go out and buy the base model and do awesome things to it like you!
I have looked at the two HMMT trucks that Italeri has produced and every time I think " What incredible things can we do with these?". I am now convinced that I need to do it and do it now!

Awesome build(as usual) and thank you (again) for heaps of inspiration!
Animal's Trucks ROCK!!!

Cuhail

Hello Dave, Great job again, to what I was wondering was on the frame and suspension from going from 10 ton to a heavy, was the 10 ton kit frame already oversized or did you change it to the size for a heavy frame, well the whole suspension for that matter, or does the real one have a wider frame, or just a double frame to handle the extra weight.
I noticed it sure did look like bigger tires on the real one, and I really couldn't tell on the frame.
Oh well it looks great the way it is anyway. You do mighty impressive work.

That was an original on the elephant garlic bag for the grate, good thinking, looks like the real thing.
The only problem I see is the air lines and power cord on the joy stick seem a little to thick.

Kerry

You are right about the air lines. I will have to change them with a smaller diameter wire. From all the photos that I have found or have been supplied by the great members here the frame on the proto type is a shorten ten ton frame. I shorten this frame to the 210" required for the 983.

Hi,

I try again (3 time) to put my pic here :


Wheels from M983 are the same as the M977, sometime from another manufacturer (Goodyear), and another pattern (see the Ordonance Depot kit in the other post. Today I post some detail pics to help you (Animal).

Matt I' am very, very interested with the FRHS. Yesterday, I take a look for LRTP TM's. There is one but with restricted access.

Here another thing that you can easily upgrade :


The Fifth wheel : your model and the real things


I hope that can help you.
pascal

http://www.washingtonarmyguard.com/fo-pls.html

http://www.oshkoshtruck.com/defense/products%7Epls%7Eforwardrepair.cfm

the PDF is here: http://www.oshkoshtruck.com/pdf/Oshkosh_PLS.pdf

Thanks Pascal, I can fix these problems.

Thanks Matt I saved the URLs to my favorites.

The Oshkosh site has Brochures in PDF form...w/ line drawings.....of most of the family

All I can say at this stage is - fine job Dave! Looks like you've got plenty of guys helping you out here with photos and information. Should turn out to be a nice one. I'll be looking on from the sidelines cheering you on!

Gunnie

Good to hear from you Gunnie, and thanks