Hello me fellow modellers

I've just taken some pics of my (Italeri) GMC truck .
The truck is straight out of the box - only the pioneer-rag and MG has been changed.
The figgies are all Tamiya, with heads form Hornet. Equipment and stowage is a mix of Verlinden, Italeri, Tamiya and some gauze bandage.







Critizism, comments and question are most certainly welcome.

Simon

WOW! Where did you find so many sitting figures

Very cool. Seeing a model GMC with troops in the back is fairly rare as most are portrayed with cargo. Your colors look great. A beauty of a model, isn't it?

The only thing I can think to make it better would be placing it into a dio.

Great job!

Jeff

You have done a good job of her mate. The troops sitting in the back make a nice change from the back filled with cargo. Just a pity you did not do a small amount of research before doing the MG mount, especially where the support rods mount on the flimsey wooden cargo rack which would have collasped with the weight.

The only problem with this kit is this inaccurate MG mount. this particular version of the MG mount was never fitted to this model of GMC and even when fitted to the vehicle it was designed for it never mounted in the way you or the instructions show.

Cheers
Cliff

Two words “Beautifully Done” Well painted and weathered, I also have to agree that it’s nice to see all the troops in the bed as in the drivers compartment. At first glance it reminded me of the scene in Band of Brothers where they were driving through Holland.
Maybe there's your idea for a dio

Hi again
Thanks for your kind replies. The idea is to place the truck in a dio depicting a country road somewhere in Normandy 1944. The truck will be escorted by a Sherman, a jeep and some marching GI's. I'll post pics of it as I work my way through.

As I said the figgies are all from Tamiya - their old kit "US Armoured Troops". The same set of figgies are seen in their Halftrack model. I think the figgies torsos, arms and legs are quite good, and needs little work. I know someone will diagree with me in that point, but that's just my experience working with the figgies. In all I think I've used three sets of the kit for this truck.

The only fig that has'nt got a Hornet head is the driver. If anyone remembers the old Tamiya kit as I mentioned above, the driver is the fig that has his left arm leaning and his right hand touching the rim of his helmet - as if he's exhausted. The only thing I did to place him behind the wheel was to saw of his left leg just above the knee, gently turning it to the right and he fits perfect (So much for Extreme Makeovers ). For his left arm I used the kits radio-operators arm. So now you know how to make your own driver for your GMC

As for the MG mount. I knew something was wrong. I have read somewhere that every fourth truck were armed with a MG for protection. I believe I have seen some WWII pics of trucks with this kind of MG mount - I might be wrong. As a matter of fact I thought of skipping the mount and just have an open hatch coverede with a piece of canvas. But I decided eventually to use the kits MG mount. But mr. Roo: Can I remove the mount and just have an open hatch in the cabin?

Thanks again all for your comment. Glad you liked it

Simon

I really like it. I like the mix and match uniforms, with some being different shades and such. A very nice model. Well done.

Yes the MG mount can be left off and a piece of canvas used to cover the hatch in the roof.

a similar type of MG mount was used on the short wheel base 352 trucks as it had to straddle the fuel tank and spare wheels. Italeri have not got this type of mount correct either as the two main support 'legs' were mounted from the chassis and not the rear deck.
It appears to me that Italeri have used a mixture of both types to make the kit one.

cheers
Cliff

Hi
Mr.Rooo - thanks for your reply. You've been helpful.

Cheers

Simon

I know there's a conversion kit out there, but it seems rather expensive: Does anyone know a good source for converting the Italeri kit to the short wheelbase artillery tractor?

wow that looks realy good simon! great for a dio!

there is not a good conversion kit out there that is reasonably priced. You could scratch build it but you do need good ref's on it. I do have plans for the SWB steel deck here that I did at one stage.

Cheers
Cliff