USAAF vehicles and equipment

[oldgit]

Chaps,

There are several very good, very helpful posts on here regarding braille scale WW2 RAF vehicles & support kit, but I wondered if anyone might be able to kindly advise regarding the USAAF equivalents? Airfix do an excellent Jeep, Academy do a Dodge ¾ ton ambulance and I seem to remember that Esci used to do a Dodge ¾ ton Weapons Carrier. Airfix also did the soft cab GMC

6x6 & Ace do a 1942 model US staff car. EFE even do a diecast Clubmobile. Does anyone do the Dodge Commands Car? Does anyone do a refuelling truck? I think the Americans used big, articulated bowsers on the bomber fields, didn’t they? What about bomb trolleys, or an appropriate vehicle to pull them, or a crane/wrecker? If anyone could recommend particular kits

for the vehicles used, I would be very grateful.

Thanks,

Tim

[Test Graham]

Academy does a Dodge, Jeep and a tractor set, I think, and the tractor is a WW2 type. I believe that their Jeep in the P-51 kit is a "Follow Me" variant. They have a hard cab CMC, as do PSL, who also do a trailer variant. I believe the Dodge may be convertible to a number of different roles but haven't studied it.

I don't know of any other dedicated kits, but I do have conversions parts for a bomb loading version of the GMC. I was told when I bought it that it was only used on a lighter GMC truck but I've seen at least one photo which casts doubt on that. I think it was from Matador, and if so you will see it on their lists.

Hasegawa did a GMC in three variants, truck, bowser and tipper, but these have unconvincing bodies and appear to be closer to postwar types. The two-tank bowser body may be transferable. Otherwise I'd search the resin companies for suitable vehicles: Milicast and Matador in particular. Edit: Matador do a starter trolley and an M5 bomb trolley.

In 1942 the 8th used a lot of British equipment whilst they became established, so you may be able to compromise a little if you are planning in that period.

Edited April 7, 2014 by Graham Boak

[oldgit]

Thanks for the advice Graham. Much appreciated. I shall follow up the follow up Jeep, if you pardon the pun.... and the GMC variants.

I'm looking at the mid '44 period in particular, so perhaps then, more US made vehicles would have been in service in the 8thAF?

Thanks again,

Tim