Here's a question for all the diesel heads who know about these things.

Reading the photo manual on the M939 series produced by Capricorn Publications, which also covers the M923 / M925 / M927 and M928, the vehicles clearly have automatic transmission.

The Italeri kit #367 of the M925 Shelter Truck, which shares its chassis, drivetrain and cab with other variants including the M923 'Big Foot', has not only the automatic transmission lever clearly, although sparsly moulded in the centre of the cab floor, but it also has three pedals (clutch, brake & accelerator), it also has a whacking big gear stick.

So, my question is this ... to accurately model this vehicle, the gear lever and the clutch pedal have to be eliminated from the construction ... or am I missing something?

Nick. [email protected]

You are right - Italeri got it all wrong. You need to remove clutch pedal and the lever attached to the floor.





Check my article about improving Italeri M923 kit for more details:

http://www.vodnik.net/index_feat.htm

Pawel

Original versions of the M900 series were standard shift. Italeri based their model on an older version. The A1 series went to the automatic transmission set-up that is modeled by Vodnik above.

I posted the following photos for you on HyperScale's Tank Talk earlier today:

Are you sure? According to all TMs I have here for M939 series (not M900 - M939 is correct name of the series) which are good for M939, M939A1 and M939A2 all of those trucks have automatic transmission and never had anything else.

Quote from TM 9-2320-272-10:
"1-11. EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS, CAPABILITIES, AND FEATURES
a. The 5-ton, 6x6, M939, M939A1, and M939A2 series vehicles are designed for use on all types of roads, highways, and cross-country terrain. These vehicles also operate in extreme temperatures such as arctic weather conditions.
b. The M939 series vehicles are an improved version of the M809 series. The improvements make M939 series vehicles more reliable and easier to operate. The major improvements are:
[...]
(1) Automatic Transmission
(2) Improved Power Steering System
(3) Complete Airbrake System
(4) Improved Cooling System
(5) Improved Electrical System
(6) Three-Crew Member Cab
(7) Tilt Hood
(8) Hydraulically Powered Front Winch
[...]e. All M939/A1/A2 series vehicles utilize the same automatic transmission, are equipped with a spare tire mount at the rear of the cab, have removable canvas cab tops, and are supplied with pintle hooks and air connections used for towing."

Maybe you think about M809 series?...

Pawel

Not sure what the date is on your Manuals, but I have been in and had on the books in my Battery a M9XX 5-ton (M900 series as opposed to M800 series 5-ton) truck that was very old and worn out and it had a standard transmission in it. All my other M900 series 5-tons (6 total) were automatic except this one old beater, but it ran like a champ and could keep up with the best of them. It was the first one to be turned in for a new FMTV when we were fielded them in 2001.

Must have been something very unusual. I have seen plenty of cab interior photos of M939 "A-nothing" series trucks and they all had automatic transmission. So while it may be true that some very eary (test?) vehicles had manual transmission, in general A-nothings had automatic transmissions, just like A1s and A2s.

Pawel

Ayup guys,

What can I say? ... Looks like the scalpel will be active for some time, many thanks.

Nick.

I had to maintain 800 series 5 ton trucks for the sole reason that they still had manual transmission. We had to train mechanics to drop the clutch and there were no clutches on any of the 900 series 5 tons (despite what the TM says, anyone even remotely familiar with US 5 ton trucks refer to them as 800 or 900 series to differentiate, but as far as I know, there is no "M900"). I know we had A-nothing 5 tons but do not recall if they had standard transmissions.