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First Look Review
135
Guntruckin / Big Bad n Tracks
Guntruckin (35-001) & Big Bad n Tracks (35-002)
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by: Gino P. Quintiliani [ HEAVYARTY ]

introduction
Wolfpak Decals makes it's first foray into 1/35 scale with 2 sets of Vietnam vehicle decals that covers a wide gamut. Their first two sets cover everything from M113s to Guntrucks and everything in between. These sheets should be popular with all who are interested in Vietnam ground vehicles.

contents
These two sets are very well thought out and offer a wide range of subjects. Both sheets are 5" x 7" size and in full color. They look very crisply detailed and printed well with little carrier paper around the actual images. Each also provides extra stars and bumper numbers as well.

35-001 Gun Truckin
This set contains markings for a total of six vehicles. They include the following:

3 M35A1 2 1/2 ton Guntrucks
"The Mafia" 541st Co, 27th Trans Bn, 8th Trans Group
"Wild Thing" D Co, 815th En Bn, 35th Trans Group
"Puff the Tragic Wagon" 815th En Bn, 192nd Detachment

1 M548A1 Armored Cargo Carrier
"Fix Or Repair Daily" B TRP, 11 ACR

1 M113A1 Armored Personnel Carrier
"007 Commander Bond" 1st Bn, 5th Infantry

1 M728 CEV (Combat Engineer Vehicle)
"MOD Squad" 919th CBT En Co, 11 ACR

Also included is a four and a half page instruction sheet that outlines where to place the decals for each vehicle. The instruction sheets also include a bit of history for each vehicle and which kits (by name, maker, and kit number) to use for each.


35-002 Big Bad n Tracks
This set contains markings for a total of eight vehicles. They include the following:

1 M113A1 Armored Personnel Carrier
"Friends of Distinction" 1st Bn, 5th Infantry

1 M577A1 Command Post Carrier
Vehicle registration numbers and "kill" markings only. Unknown unit.

1 M110 8" Self Propelled Howitzer
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" 1st Bn, 87th Artillery Bn

1 M132A1 "Zippo" Armored Flamethrower Vehicle
"Dragon Lady II" Vehicle registration numbers and name markings only. Unknown unit.

1 M42 Duster Self Propelled Twin 40mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
"Duster Death" C Co, 6th ADA Bn, 1st Field Force Vietnam

1 M48A3 Main Battle Tank
"Hell Cat" Vehicle registration numbers and name markings only. Unknown unit.

2 M54 5 ton Guntrucks w/M113 hulls in the rear bed
"Big Kahuna" 58th Co, 27th Trans Bn, 8th Trans Group
"Big Bad John" 597th Co, 27th Trans Bn, 8th Trans Group

Also included is a three page instruction sheet that outlines where to place the decals for each vehicle. The instruction sheets also include a bit of history for each vehicle and which kits (by name, maker, and kit number) to use for each. There is also a nice line drawing showing bumper number placement for the two M54 guntrucks.

cab issue
There is one issue with the descriptions for the two M54s. The kit to use is listed as the Italeri M925 5-ton kit. It later states, "for more accuracy, the correct cab can be ordered from Real Models (Kit RM 35028)." This implies you can make an less-accurate Vietnam era M54 guntruck from just the Italeri kit. You cannot. The Italeri M925 is a 1980's two-generation-later replacement for the M54 series of 5-ton trucks. It is totally wrong for Vietnam. You have to get the Real Model M54 cab conversion. Another option is to do the conversion yourself following Dave "Animal" Willet's M54 conversion article here at Armorama (finished pics also available here).

conclusion
Overall, two great sets of decals for a wide range of Vietnam-era vehicles. They look great and will add some color and originality to your builds. A great hit with Wolfpak's first foray into 1/35. Keep them coming.
SUMMARY
Highs: Great decals with a wide range of Vietnam era ground subjects. Finely printed, colorful decals.
Lows: Some of the vehicles are missing unit information. The instructions for 35-002 are a little misleading on how to represent an accurate M54 guntruck.
Verdict: Overall, two great sets of decals for a wide range of Vietnam era-vehicles.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35-001/002
  Suggested Retail: 17.00 USD (each)
  Related Link: Dave's M54
  PUBLISHED: Sep 17, 2012
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.79%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.00%

Our Thanks to Mill Creek Consultants!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Gino P. Quintiliani (HeavyArty)
FROM: FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

Retired US Army Artillery Officer, currently a contractor at MacDill AFB in the Tampa, FL area. I have been modelling for the past 40+ years, really seriously on armor and large scale helos (1/32, 1/35) for the last 35 or so.

Copyright ©2021 text by Gino P. Quintiliani [ HEAVYARTY ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Many thanks for the informations on Wild Thing. Here 2 gun trucks that I'am finishing with decals from the Wolfpack decal sheet/
JAN 05, 2013 - 10:31 PM
Very nice build
JAN 05, 2013 - 11:42 PM
Gino, do the decals for Hell Kat have the "grafitti" right under the drivers hatch on the front? I can see something is there in Squadron's M48 in Vietnam but can't make it out. The product description just mentions the turret grafitti and a few tactical markings. I was wondering if the markings are complete.
FEB 26, 2013 - 09:01 AM
Jason, I've just had a look at the decals and there isn't any other grafitti other than Hell Kat and the vietnamese wording. Hope that helps David
FEB 27, 2013 - 08:45 AM
thank you
FEB 27, 2013 - 08:51 AM
Looking again at the pics in M48 in Vietnam, I dont think either picture is Hell Kat. One says A12 on the glacis and the other looks like it might say A15. Looks like that turret graffiti wasn't unique to just one tank
FEB 27, 2013 - 05:15 PM
Hi Joe, this is Philip McMillin from the Bountyhunter. Long time no see! [email protected]
FEB 28, 2013 - 09:57 AM
Hey Jason, According to Concord's Vietnam Armor in action, the "graffiti" on the M48 turret is actually a warning that reads: Danger, do not ride bicycles along side. "The warning was used due to the increassed usage of the 69th Armor in securing the highway system in the Central Highlands." The photos on pages 14 and 15 in Squadron's M48A3 in Vietnam that you're referring to are also with the 69th Armor attached to the 25th Inf. Div. Presumably, that's the unknown (according to the decal sheet) unit "Hell Cat" is from.
FEB 28, 2013 - 11:39 AM
Thanks....I did not know this! I ordered a set this afternoon
FEB 28, 2013 - 11:48 AM
   
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