AFV CLUB M54A2.

[ossie262]

Gents


Having just finished my last build "Restore Me " I have been lucky to have been given a AFV Club M54A2 .
I have a few ideas what to do with the model but I see as I build it .
it will OTB build 

one is a range wreck few bullet holes etc, 
For sale  
or a in service vehicle  am looking out side of Vietnam but I see 
so heres the start of another model  hope you enjoy it 
Ossie

[Leon]

Sounds like some good ideas Ossie! I'll be following along.

[ossie262]

Leon

Thanks
ossie

[dierk]

Got a bit of a glut of AFV Club builds happening on the forum at the mo
I remember seeing a lot of these trucks broken down on the motorway in Germany during maneuver season in the early/mid 70's

[ossie262]

Sorry it’s a AFV Club kit , but my next build is s 1/24 Stryker ESV and ICV DVH hull .
Any way I hope you enjoy the build

Ossie

[dierk]

No need to apolgise - AFV make great kits, and I was just stating a fact.
I'm sure I will enjoy it.

[sturmbird]

keep in mind that a Vietnam issued truck was normally different from a stateside truck or even one issued in Europe. Vietnam five tons were manual transmission with a Detroit multi fuel diesel engine. Nearly all had a front mounted winch, but there were a few shipped without it. Stateside trucks normally were shipped with an Allison MT653 series automatic, but there were a few that had the HT700 series transmission (maybe something very heavy duty or they needed all the added power take offs).


The only thing I ever saw go bad on a five ton was tires going flat and maybe a clutch every couple years. Engines were rarely worked on. They were hard on brake shoes, but so were most of the other trucks. A truck used on a fire base would literally run forever other than the tires and tubes (always the inside dual). We couldn't even make one over heat in 120+ degree heat. On the otherhand the M37's were broke down all the time. Trust me we seriously abused these five tons, and often loaded them close to 30,000 lb.

gary

[ossie262]

thanks Gary for the Info
something to think about
Ossie

[ossie262]

Hi All


first impressions fiddle and very trying but a slow build so far just got to stage two and some bits very vague
I post some pictures soon ossie

[ossie262]

hi everyone.
well I have been busy building the suspension , few hick ups like main prop top long , and another was two parts not shown on plan , but the main issue is it is so complicated in places and location points are typical AFV CLUB , but the detail is exquisite
I have to go back and sort out tow rope end when I decide what I want to do with it also to add all the hand grips to the chassis is next but main part is built.any way hope where I am so far

[Leon]

Looking good Ossie!

[ossie262]

thanks dude

[ossie262]

Hi All
wheels are on loosely , lot of fiddley bits and must take your time a few things not perfect

any way here it is with wheels on

[Leon]

Looks like its sitting flat on all 10 Ossie! That's a good sign.

[wbill76]

Always nice when the wheels/suspension cooperate. Looking good so far!

[sturmbird]

Ossie, looking at the chassis, and see that it's a manual gear box truck. This will place your usage. Most not in combat were automatics. All the export versions I've seen were also manual shift, but sure they sold some automatics as well.

I might add that there is a lever on the side of the winch (wanta say right side, but it maybe left side). Looks like AFV forgot it. Don't be afraid to wrap the wire rope (cable) around the front bumper as it was near impossible to get all that cable back on the winch if you pulled about 75 feet off the reel. Do not paint the cable O.D. green as it should be a gun metal grey. The hooks and clevises are painted, but expect the paint to be heavily chipped and cracked if it'd been used much. No Rust!
gary

[ossie262]

Gary

Thanks for the information as I didn't want to build a Vietnam truck but somewhere else ie in MERDEC camouflage or bit of everything and up for sale .

I think the lever is there on  the winch it maybe I knocked it off lol . see the plans , so are you saying this is a manual gearbox then Gary.         
funny you should say no rust found. a few wrecks for sale with rust but unsure what I do yet, build it first and see what I do
any way the chassis is finished now to start the cab and body . hope you like it so far
Ossie








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[406 Silverado]

Awesome. Great to finally see a build of this new kit. So far it looks like the duece chassis from AFV.

[sturmbird]

The rust I was referring to was with the wire rope (cable). We always kept the rope coated with heavy oil or a light coat of grease. Rust will cause a failure, and that's extremely dangerous. That lever goes in the small opening just above the cable guide if memory is correct. Seems like it was about a foot and a half long, but maybe closer to a foot long. Think there was a black rubber grip on it, much like a bicycle handle bar grip.

I think Korea manufactured a close copy on license. The Japanese five ton is a little different. The winch can be an issue when building an export truck, as most users opted out of that part. Think Thailand had just about what your building, and many went to S. America. Have no idea what Australia used, but they did use the M54 in RVN. If I was still working (NOT!!) I could look up the export users for you. I've seen them in use by the U.S. Forestry Services as fire trucks (painted red or yellow), and several small airports had them.

gary

[ossie262]

Hi Everyone

well a bit slow this week , having to sort a family long term medical issue and sorting teh final parts of my wedding on monday.


so to the model WARNING , you have to modify part C10 Steering column at the top to allow the cab to fit to the chassis .
and everything is a very very tight fit when you do add it so a little TLC is required.
Sorry no model for two weeks honey moon lol
Ossie

[Leon]

Congrats on the wedding Ossie!
Hope the medical issue isn't to serious.

[wbill76]

I'd say you more than earned the time away for the honeymoon Ossie, congrats in advance on the wedding!

[ossie262]

Hi Everyone

Well the build is complete next the painting stage, I found a lot of bits not on the instructions so be careful.
The build I found a normal AFV CLUB building;d very complicated and fiddle but turned out cool.
I am building mine as if for sale in USA found few pictures to use just need to decide what colours I use.
Ossie

[Leon]

Looking good Ossie!

[wbill76]

Bring on the paint!

[joelsmith]

Nicely done Sir!

[ossie262]

Hi All

I seem to have lost my mojo on this one so it is on the shelf and will paint it at a later stage.
glad you liked it I think the build was the build what put me off after I had finished the model.
I post another model soon ossie