I am planning to put these packs on the back of my Humvee, but I am wondering how they would be attached. There are no tie down points on the rear deck. Since I am not using a cow plow on the front, I am limited to where I can hang them. One will be mounted on the right side rear door, with the interior full of combat gear, personal gear needs to be on the outside. Any photos or info on how this gear is secured would be welcome.

Thanks in advance
Melon

Hey Ryan that a nice looking hummve man, good job. As for tie down points here's a link that will help, it has many photos to go through. You should find some pics easy enough.
http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums.php

Here's another
http://www.primeportal.net/humvee/humvee_home.htm

Melon,
To attach packs to the rear hatch, we use a ratchet strap wrapped around the hacth and connected together on the inside. The Molle packs would have their straps threaded through the ratchet strap, or the strap would go over them and cinch them down onto the hatch. Good looking Molle packs by the way. HMMWV is coming along nicley.

Mother,
thanks for the sites. The MilitaryPhotos.net is bookmarked, I ALWAYS forget about the picture galleries there. Some of the best.

Gino,
Thanks for the info, that is exactly the info I was looking for. I always rode around on the Amtracs, we just used caribeiners to lock our gear to the outside racks.

My only trouble is, the rear hatch is glued down. I'm sure I will figure something out.

Thanks again for the info and sites.
Melon

Great lookin gHumme you got there. Love the paint job too.

Hey Melon,
Hummer is comeing along nicely. Quick question, where did you get the packs from???

Hows the cabling for the TOW coming along?

Epi,
The packs are from the Dragon M1A1 Road to Baghdad. The vinyl ones were used, some cutting, some gluing, voila! MOLLE packs. By themselves, the kits packs are plain and look like they were packed for a parade march. I used different sleeping mats, some from the same Dragon kit, Taymia's accesories and one I made myself. Extra butt packs (not sure what they are called today) were taken from the Dragon Modern US Marines, and glued to the middle outside. I dont know if this is accurate, but it looks to be so, from my references. Cheap and easy way to get the new gear on your vehicles to bring them up to date.

As far as the cables for my TOW, it is done. Took me long enough though. From the photographs, I couldnt determine where the cable from control unit went. It was hard to see it go into and then up under the TU. It looks like you used wire, or maybe soldering wire? I made mine with thin soldering wire and plastic rod bent into shape for the larger diameter cables.

Thanks for the input
Melon

Melon,
I was debating on getting the "Road to Bahgdad" M1A1 because I have some Echealon Decals on the way.

I used "Wire Wrap" wire for the smaller diameter cables and Detail Masters radiator wire for the larger Umbilical cable that runs from the MGS to the TU. What I did was cut of the mounting pin of the TU and glued it down to the turret ring. I drilled a hole the same size of the cable and just ran it from the MGS, through the turret ring and up to the hole.

Hey, you might want to go to Eduard's web sight and check out the instruction sheet for the M1046 TOW Hummer set. It is set # 35655. It might give you some more ideas.

Epi,
I got that Eduardo kit, most of which is stll attached to the sprue. I didnt use much of it, most of the detail would go inside and I dont really plan on showing it with the top off. If I could have bought just the exhaust screen cover, that is all I really needed.

I did use some of the detail parts for the TOW sights, but really, not worth the $25+ I spent on it.

Dont spend your money on the Road to Baghdad, buy the Taymia kit.. You will need to buy new tracks anyway, the extra rack on the back isnt correct for USMC vehicles (as the box shows it should be) and it is missing all the same stuff it was in the past. Maybe they will update it when the AIM version comes out next year.

I did like the Tamiya M1A1. I realy dont want to get the Dragon one just for the packs, so I guess I will stick with the Tamiya one. I have to finish the other two M1's I have on the bench first before I get another one. Plus, I want to get the Blast Models set for the Hummer too. TOO MANY THINGS I WANT TO GET!!!!

Man, if I knew your where going to build this one, I would of given you the screen for the exhaust pipe. I have at least 3 in my photo etch spares box. I have a mess of photo etch frets with some stuff still on them for the Hummer. I try a keep all my extra etch stuff for other projects.

I know with Taymia you can order extra sprues. I wonder if Dragon will do the same? I know there are some resin sets of Molle gear available, but the cost is high. It might be cheaper to try getting some extra sprues of the vinyl ones.

Which Blast kits for the Humvee are you thinking about. I got the weapons ring set and the extra gear set. Both good, with quick service (from a one man show I hear), but the large casting of crew gear for the rear deck leaves me puzzled. How is the plank that holds the equipment back/up attached to the deck lid? I havent seen pictures of this setup on the internet or in the Concord OIF books. I left mine off for this reason. The spool of razor wire is nice, something about PE razor wire that doesnt look quite to scale for me.

The weapons ring detail is nice for adding the extra M240 or M249 for the TOW gunner to use or to make your M1046 into an uparmored with M2 or Mk19. From what I have read, the M1025 from Taymia isnt as nice as the TOW version. It seems to be missing some interior detail that the TOW kit has. The Blast set has a standard weapons ring so you dont have to moidfy the Taymia one from TOW to standard weapons carrier. The screen for the exhuast is better with PE than what Blast provides, if you are planning to build a USMC version.

Melon

Melon and Epi,
The Dragon USMC Baghdad kit is not really bad. Before the latest Tamiya kit, Dragon's M1's were the best out there, still can't beat it for the price. As for the extended turret bustle rack, it is actually the 3ID version manufactured in Kuwait. Academy's new M1A1 OIF has a USMC rack on it. As for the tracks, not sure why you say you need to replace them, they are accurate and not bad at all. Sorry, but I just like the Dragon M1's. The added extras of the packs, bustle rack with PE screens, and MRE boxes make the kit worth it to me. And hey, it has the anti-slip coating already molded on as well. I like them.

The Dragon kit isnt that bad, nor are the tracks incorrect. But the kit is missing some items that the Tamiya kit includes. The APU link, the fire extinguisher handle, a correct MCD for the turret, correct fenders, ect ect. The tracks need to be improved, the AFV Club individual, workable tracks are the best. I personally dont like Dragons tracks, but not a fan of the rubber band ones you get with Tamiya either. I guess I have done so many Dragon M1A1's that I am tired of doing the same updates and modifications every time.

With the trouble I am having with the Eduard rear turret bustle rack extension, I may just buy the Academy kit for that piece alone. I had to buy another one to replace the one I built, I messed it up so bad it looks terrible.

Aw HELL!!!! I'll just get both kits. You cant have too many M1A1's. Besides, between the two sets of Echealon Decals I have coming, I'll have enough decals for 12 M1A1's!!!!

I am going to get all 3 sets pluss the wheel set from Blast. I'll probaly order them next week directly from Blast. I compared the prices between them and Mission. What it will cost me from Mission to get all 3 sets, I can get the sets and a Tamiya Hummer from Blast.

Oh, as far as the the "shelf" on the rear hatch is concerned. Its probably just bolted on. Holes are probably drilled into the hatch and the thing is bolted on. Things like that are always done out in the field, "FIELD MODIFICATIONS."

Glad to hear that you guys still like the Dragon Abrams.




I was thinking the same thing. The gear that comes with it is pretty nice too.




That is correct for the "Shelf". It is bolted on with a bolt at each corner. it is actually part of the IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) sytem. It is like the CIPs on the sides, but works the same way as the flat CIPs on the front of an Abrams turret. It is angled from the angle of the rear hatch and provides a cold spot in thermals. It also works great as a shelf to store gear on. Folds down flat when not needed as well.

Man Gino, all the cool stuff comes out after I got out of active duty. We wont see stuff like that here in the Guard unless we get deployed. I didnt know it was a CIP Panel.

I was thinking the same thing about the Academy A1. I was just looking at the sprues at Perth's Military Modeling sight. Some good stuff for the spares.

Damit, thats 3 Abrams to get!!!!!!!!!!! Buy the end of it all, I am going to have a Battalion on my shelf!!!!!!!

Fake it. Literally. Many times, despite constant review and preparation, I still find things I missed or didn't anticipate.


As for the difference between the Tamiya M1025 and their M1046 TOW version, what is missing in the M1025 that is in the M1046?

Jeff

Jeff,
The missing details are on the rear hatch.

Per the Perth Military Modeling Site:
"The new rear door incorporates internal details missing from the first kit as well as the two telescopic supports to use if the door is shown open and the side doors have the flat outer panels for the supplemental armor but retain the X stamping on the insides as they should do."

Link: http://pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/vehicles/tamiya/tam35267.htm

Other differences are armored door and the snorkle for USMC vehicles. Now, these aren't missing, just a different model is represented.

Yeah, ok, thanks. With this brought to light, I am thinking about buying another M1046 TOW (I am working on one for AGE 2), and getting the Blast Model's weapon's upgrade and going from there. Mainly I want to add a secondary MG (probably an M249). More than likely, I will get the Blast's set and add the M249 to the current model (after the campaign obviously) and use the rest to make an uparmored Humvee. For the uparmored version, would I have to make anything different aside from the TOW specific parts and accessories (I'd replace the weapons ring too).

In this image, there is a raised part (seperate in the kit) just behind the radio mount. Would this be present in an Uparmored version too?



Jeff

The M1046 is not an uparmored HMMWV, it simply has armored doors. The uparmor is the M1114, it is very different.

M1114


Here is a good walk around of an M1114 as well.

The platform you are talking about is present on all HMMWVs with weapons mounts, it is the gunners platform that he stands on. It is adjustable and raises up and down to adjust the gunners height in the roof mounted gunners position so he is at the right height for the weapon.

Jeff

I like the detail and weathering you did with your M1046 Humvee. Not to be to much of a nitpic, but I can't help it. Being an 11H (TOW crewmember) and spending 7 years on the TOW Humvees, I did notice some minor errors and the layout of the enterior.

1. These are the location of the fuel tank, night sight spare battery case, the tripod, and the night sight case. The first three can be corrected. You'll need to move the water can up as close to the passenger seat. Thus allowing the fuel cam to be right next to the MGS battery storage rack.

2. The tripod is stored against the left fender well. There's a ring that the tripod clamps to.

3. The spare night sight battery case. (The small one) is mounted at the end of the tripod pads and against the tailgate.

4. The night sight storage case is beleved on one of the bottem sides. When the case is mounted in the humvee, it extends over the fender well.

In the thread here titled "Almost finished USMC M1046" is the actual load plan for all TOW Humvees. If you can locate it let me know here or PM and I'll scan the loadplan for it or another Humvee. I own a operators manual TM 9-2320-280-10 (issue 91) for the Humvee.



M966 TOW Carrier, Basic armor: evlar doors and
bullet proof glass.
M1036 TOW Carrier, Basic armor, with winch
M1045 TOW Carrier with Supplemental armor
M1046 TOW Carrier with Supplemental armor with
winch

Here is the link to the thread with the Humvee TOW load plan.

Thanks to Epi for the info.

Almost finished Humvee

Manchu, thanks for the tips. Believe me, I would be able to correct these things and a few others except for two things:

1.) This is for AGE 2 and the rules say no scratchbuilding (of course what you suggested had no scratchbuilding, but there are a few other things I'd do).

2.) More practically, I have already glued everything down! I will take that to heart the next one around.

Jeff

what does "molle" mean?

MOLLE = MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment