1/48 GMC 2.5 ton truck CCKW 6x6 with recovery set no.7

[StuartH]

Hi,

 

Having recently enjoyed building the Tamiya GMC 2.5 ton 6x6 cargo truck I thought I would do another though with a slight variation.

This time will be with the so called 'Recovery set no.7'. This turned the 2.5 ton truck into an effective light recovery vehicle which was widely employed on the Red Ball Express (and elsewhere) covering breakdowns, engine re-fits and crashes.

 

 

 

 

 

For this build I will be using the Tamiya 1/48 GMC 2.5 ton kit along with the MP Originals Masters Models Recovery set no.7 resin conversion kit  and a set of photoetch by Aber. I've also added some spare tires from MP Originals for a small vignette I plan on making with a Willys Jeep.

 

 

For reference I will be using 2 excellent books by Pat Ware:

 

 

 

 

 That's all instructions you get with the resin set but should be easy enough to follow.

 

 

I've made a start on the main chassis and the front winch. Quite a lot of trimming was required but I think the detail is of nice quality.

 

 

Also added the rear photo etch plates.

 

 

That's all for now though will hopefully make some more progress over the Easter weekend!

[StuartH]

I've started on the front cab with the addition of various photoetch attachments and fastenings. The kit components went together well and the photoetch is held in place with CA glue. A bit rough at this stage though hopefully the primer later on will tidy things up a little. The interior will be Olive drab apart from the seats so I felt I was able to glue everything together at this stage whilst still giving me enough space to paint the inside later on. The canvas roof will be one of the last things to go on at the very end.

 

 

 

 

The wing mirrors haven't been attached yet due to the inevitable outcome of falling off during painting and weathering.

 

 

For the front windscreen it appears that the vehicle had 2 separate window frames allowing the inner one to pivot and open in a forwards direction as seen in the photo below. For this build I aim to replicate this feature. (You wouldn't want the vehicle in front throwing up too much mud!)

 

 

 

The photoetch instructions advises to drill out the kit provided all in one windscreen thereby creating the outer rigid frame. The photoetch metal frame is in 2 parts and will have a thin layer of perspex film sandwiched between. This will form the moveable inner frame.

 

 

I've added a small handle to the inner window frame allowing the driver to open/close.

 

 

 

With the drilled out outer frame in place. It snapped once but hopefully painting will cover it up ok.

 

I have also attached part of the opening mechanism. There is another piece which will extend up to the opened inner frame. I will paint the photoetch frame separately and sandwich the perspex film after painting.

 

 

 

There is still the front grill and radiator to do though this will come after painting. The kit includes perspex front headlights.

 

Hopefully a bit more progress to report soon.

 

Thanks for looking  

Edited April 17, 2022 by StuartH

[StuartH]

I've moved onto the rear deck now. Reference photos show that some vehicles had the middle horizontal wooden slats missing and that is how I will depict this model to give a more open view to the flat deck. Photoetch hooks and details added

 

 

 

I have also added the photoetch mud guards:

 

 

The crane arm has been fixed into position and went together with no major issues:

 

 

 

Starting to come together now...I just have a few more additions and details to make and will hopefully have the construction more or less finished this weekend.

 

 

 

Best wishes

Stuart

[vytautas]

Looks good, a really interesting model.

 

Vytautas

[Bertie McBoatface]

I note the many jerrycans for rescuing trucks out of fuel. This is a very interesting project. Good choice!

[StuartH]

Finishing off the remainder of the construction now. Photoetch tool rack with the kit supplied tools (just need to tidy up some of the excess glue):

 

 

 

Chains added to the tailgate:

 

Front grill with photoetch detailing. This hasn't been glued in place yet as there is still the photoetch mesh to position behind:

 

 

I have reference photos showing these trucks with an extra jerry can rack behind the drivers cab. This has been made from styrene card with some light scratches applied to try and mimic wood grain:

 

 

Supports in place for jerry can rack and some tarps:

 

More or less everything together. There will be lots more bits n pieces to go on the rear deck and I hope to make some form of canvas cover for the driver's cab.

 

 

 

Hopefully will get some primer on next weekend then I may start thinking about building the Willys Jeep.

 

Thanks for looking 

[StuartH]

On 4/22/2022 at 11:29 PM, vytautas said:

Looks good, a really interesting model.

 

Vytautas

Many thanks Vytautas. There are so many variations using this truck as the basic frame so hopefully some more interesting variations in the future!

 

20 hours ago, Bertie Psmith said:

I note the many jerrycans for rescuing trucks out of fuel. This is a very interesting project. Good choice!

 

Thanks Bertie....glad you approve of the jerry cans as there are plenty more!

[Courageous]

4 hours ago, StuartH said:

Chains added to the tailgate:

Love what you're doing here but something didn't quite look right with your tailgate ... it looks to me that the chains may be to long, just my 

 

Stuart

[StuartH]

20 hours ago, Courageous said:

Love what you're doing here but something didn't quite look right with your tailgate ... it looks to me that the chains may be to long, just my 

 

Stuart

Thank you! Well spotted and yes you're right.

 

I had a closer look at some reference pictures and the chain is indeed shorter. It can hook on with either the tailgate in a horizontal or fully down vertical position. I'll get this adjusted and may consider making the canvas cover that it often seemed to be covered in. Thanks again 👍

 

 

[StuartH]

Just a small update for today. I experimented with various alternatives to the kit supplied plastic part which acts as the canvas cover for the front cabin though nothing looked quite right. I was hoping fabric would work well and give a natural look though it looked rather out of scale. In the end I significantly thinned the kit part and roughened the edges slightly.

 

The model has now been primed with Ammo mig one shot grey primer and then some pre-shading with Tamiya Nato Black and Flat white.

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst that hardens I have made a start on the Willys Jeep. This is kit 32552 which comes with 9 figures and some accessories so offers great value for around £15. I have also added the Hauler photoetch set.

 

 

 

 

Next step will be finishing the jeep and deciding on which shade of Olive Drab to go for!

 

Thanks for looking

Stuart

[Milan Mynar]

Your model looks very nice, interesting modification of the original vehicle.

[StuartH]

Next step was deciding on the shade of Olive Drab. These were the paints I had all with Olive Drab on the bottle:

 

 

 

In the end I went for Ammo Mig Olive Drab Base, Light Base and Highlights (0926, 0927, 0928). This was sprayed in very thin layers at around 18psi. I wanted to keep some element of pre shading visible but not too dark in anticipation of the upcoming weathering.

 

 

 

 

Tools and the Jerry can rack painted with Vallejo and Lifecolor acrylics:

 

 

 

Due to several decal disasters in the past I decided to invest in a set of DN Models 1/48 Allied stencil masks. Having allowed the Olive drab to harden for a few days the model was masked up. Reference photos show these vehicles had the Star in circle painted on the upper surfaces to allow for aerial recognition. Both 'broken circles' which were known as lazy stars and painted by stencil were present along with 'complete circles'. I understand the troops often painted in the gaps to form the complete circle.....for this build I'm going with the lazy star.

 

I used Tamiya Flat white sprayed in multiple very thin layers:

 

 

 

 

Still lots to do, further detail painting and interior, but gradually progressing.

 

Thanks for looking 😀

[Scooby]

Nice work! Love the conversion!

[StuartH]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

I didn't realise quite how many different conversions were undertaken of this vehicle.....a true workhorse.

[Courageous]

Am liking that.

 

Stuart

[StuartH]

5 hours ago, Courageous said:

Am liking that.

 

Stuart

Many thanks Courageous for the comments👍

 

[StuartH]

Progress has slowed a little since the last update. I've added some wear and scuff marks using very lightened and darkened mixes of olive drab acrylic paint applied with a sponge and dry brush. The model has also been coated with VMS satin varnish. It has quite a rough finish which I like but hopefully will allow the oil paints to flow ok. If not I'll have to think about adding a gloss coat. Next step will be pin wash.

 

 

 

Construction has finished on the jeep. Dashboard still to be attached. Went together well though did feel like I was working in 1/72!

 

 

 

 

Primed with thinned Ammo one shot :

 

 

 

 

 

I've also purchased some welding gas cylinders from Aerobonus for the back of the truck:

 

 

Green seems to be the most common colour for the oxygen tank though I will probably use this photo from 1943 for the acetylene reference:

 

This weekend should hopefully see the painting on the jeep completed and start pin washing the truck.

 

Thanks for looking

Stuart

[Bullbasket]

Hi Stuart. Just been catching up on this build and I'm impressed. At least I was until I realised that this was in 1/48th scale. Now I'm very impressed. Great work on both vehicles.

 

John.

[StuartH]

Many thanks John for the feedback. Much appreciated 👍

Seems to be going in the right direction just hope I don't mess it up with the weathering!

 

[Stef N.]

Just catching up with this build Stuart. Some real high quality modelling going on. The truck looks brilliant.👏👍

[StuartH]

19 hours ago, Stef N. said:

Just catching up with this build Stuart. Some real high quality modelling going on. The truck looks brilliant.👏👍

 

Many thanks Stef for your comments. Much appreciated.

Glad you like the truck as it's been a fun build so far and certainly nice not to have to do any tracks!

Thanks again👍 

[StuartH]

The home straight is starting to come into view now. The painting and oil paint weathering is pretty much finished on both vehicles. I used Abteilung engine grease/sepia and Winsor & Newton Naples Yellow/ Ochre. I tried making the front cab canvas cover out of paper but just wasn't looking right so I've stuck with the kit plastic version...hasn't been glued into place yet hence the gaps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some stowage items have also been finished off:

 

 

Figures done. Not great but they will have to do...still need some matt varnish. First time using paint drying retarder which made a big difference and comes highly recommended

 

 

 

Next up is mud and dust effects and bringing everything together. Not far now!

 

Thanks for looking

Cheers 

Stuart

[edjbartos]

Just gone through the thread Stuart, fabulous work here, really impressive, well done...

 

Ed

[StuartH]

Many thanks Ed for your kind comments. Very much appreciated and glad you like the build 👍

[Bullbasket]

Excellent paint and weathering Stuart. Both vehicles are progressing very well. Nice work.

 

John.