CasemateUK Gun Trucks - US Vietnam-Era Wheeled Escorts

[Mike]

Gun Trucks
A Visual History of the US Army's Vietnam-Era Wheeled Escort Platforms
Ampersand via Catemate UK ISBN:978-0-9861127-3-7

Convoys have always needed protection, and as they became motorised during WWI the protection had to be able to travel at the same speed. In WWII we saw trucks take on light armaments in the shape of .50cal M2 Brownings mounted to rings on the cab of a truck, as well as other vehicles. During the Vietnam era they made a come-back with a vengeance resulting in some strange vehicles that were sometimes heavily modified in the field to fulfil a pressing need.

This new title from Ampersand's Visual History series has again been penned by David Doyle, and includes a lot of rare pictures from the era, as well as many from preserved vehicles, some of which might not have been seen before. It starts with the usual short introduction, and then goes on to describe various vehicles in their own sections, including superbly detailed photos from unusual angles with plemty of informative captions attached. The book is 120 pages on glossy paper, bound in a landscape A4(ish) format with card binding. The 250 plus pictures are spread over the following sections:

• The 2¹/₂ ton 6x6
• The 5 ton 6x6
• The M151
• The M37
• The M55 "Quad"
• The Birth of the Gun Truck
• Weapons
• The 2¹/₂ ton Gun Truck
• The 5 ton gun truck
• APC bodied Gun Trucks
• Engineer Gun Trucks
• Armoured M151s
• Armoured M37s
• The Last Survivor "Eve of Destruction"

The final section regarding Eve of Destruction is the only known Gun Truck to preserved in its original state from the conflict, as all the others were either reverted to their cargo carrying role and stripped of armour, given to the Vietnamese Army, or scrapped as the US withdrew and the need diminished. She can be found at the US Army Transportation Museum, Virginia.

Conclusion
Another great title from Ampersand, the publishing arm of Hobby Link Japan that will interest the Vietnam era enthusiast and modeller alike. There should be plenty of inspiration for load-outs and configurations within the pages, plus lots of graffiti-style vehicle names that were emblazoned on the side armour of the larger vehicles as intimidation for the enemy.

Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[snapper_city]

One still on my list to add to the collection. Now please please please will someone make an injection moulded 1:35 M-54 5 ton Reo truck.

[Julien]

One still on my list to add to the collection. Now please please please will someone make an injection moulded 1:35 M-54 5 ton Reo truck.

Yes, I so want to make one of those with the M113 on the back.

[snapper_city]

Yes, I so want to make one of those with the M113 on the back.

Ditto along with other gun trucks. The only option is the Real Model resin truck which is expensive and not the greatest casting. You can just get the cab and use the Italeri M923 as the chassis as an alternative.