Today on Ebay I won the GMC water tanker for $19 total What I would like to do is convert it into a hard cab cargo truck I am not sure if I want to do either the SWB or LWB Now for the questions
Would I be able to make a soft can water tanker? Also,would would I have to do to make a SWB GMC?

Did the water tanker have the spare tire holders on the frame? Or only behind the cab? Did the SWB cargo version carry one or two spare tires behind the cab?

Also is their any resin tire replacement tires for the Italeri GMC's? Thanks in advance

yes you can do that Chad. After August 1943 all GMC's were soft top cabs



the chassis needs shortening by about 14mm (I have to double check this figue though) and the fuel tank and spare wheel mounts (2 spare wheels on this one) would have to be made.



only a single spare behind the cab on all water tankers as well as Army fuel tankers. (airforce refuelers had it mounted on the frame)



twin spares on SWB trucks positioned on top of the petrol tank



I believe there is Chad but can't think of anyone at the moment.

I have boxes full of spare parts for this GMC Chad. So if you need anything just ask. No cab parts though.


cheers
Cliff

Masters Production has released a conversion set for the SWB GMC, for the Italeri kit (tarp and cab are not included).The set number is MP35003



IIRC, there's also one from Real Models....

Frenchy

Is it possible to use a GMC 6x6 soft top as a base for a Katyusha rocket launcher?

Any help greatly appreciated.

All the period GMC pics I've seen show the use of the CCKW-352 short wheelbase chassis with a closed cab :




...but this doesn't mean other variants didn't exist...

HTH

H.P.

I built this one a few years ago to double as a fire truck/water tender. The open Tamiya cab will drop right onto the Italeri frame.

Two SWB Deuces


Start chopp'n those frames!

I don't think you could use a soft cab for a Katyusha. One shot and you would burn up the canvas seats and the top. That is why they had movable shutters to cover over the windshield during launches.

There was also flat blast shield over the cab as well as the windshield. You can just make it out in Frenchy's drawing. So, I suppose you could use a soft cab. Not saying they did, but the soft cab would have been somewhat protected from the blast. Still, it would probably tear up the canvas eventually, but not sure the Red Army would have cared much as long as it didn't damage the vehicle beyond use.

Paul

I believe that was the point of the blast shield to give the cab some protection so clearly an enclosed cab would serve this purpose better then the open top.

Also the Russians did not favor the open cabs and specifically asked for the closed cabs due to the L-O-O-O-NG, Cold Russian winters. However some open tops were exported none the less.

p.s. I have a couple of Italeri Katyusha rocket launchers to donate if anyone wants them for this project. I used the chassis and cabs off these launchers to modify into WWII International Harvester 2 1/2 ton military trucks.

Or . . . I would be more than willing to trade them for the load boxes you will have left over from the CCKW's.

the Chassis Man

Just a little something for inspiration:

Sorry but both available rocket launcher kits are now spoken for.