Was surfing and ran across this site about the filming of the newest "Dark Knight" movie to be out this summer.
Looks like the writer or producer or someone has an eye for military vehicles too!
They called it a HEMTT, but as you can see it is one of the 10 x 10 PLS units. Hard to see if it is one of the newer models or what. Can't imagine they would want to trash one of the new (read: "expensive") units with the 4 axle steering. They took a tip from one of our SS members who is building a camper out of a shipping container (sorry - can't remember his screen name) - looks like they modified a shipping container so it would fit "over the road" - not functional as a PLS container as the "graple hook" has been folded down for the movie.
A WARNING FOR ALL OF YOU MORE SENSITIVE RESTORATION TYPE MV LOVERS - THEY TAKE THIS TRUCK AND DRIVE IT/DROP IT SOME 20 FEET OFF OF AN OVERPASS - NOT WITHOUT DAMMAGE!!! Can see at lease one rear hub did not survive (not surprised as at least the rear axle is a steer and usually weaker than a straight axle) and looks like one of the hanging cab steps is detached so the cab probably hit pretty hard. Oshkosh Truck should use it as a promo if it did OK, all things considered.
Couldn't help but wonder if this is where one of the "mechanics school" PLS units off GL ended up - might not be as quite a few things are different that really didn't need to be changed for the "jump". Front skid plate for one is either a newer shaped one or has been modified for the movie.
Yep - probably right. Looks like the LVSR. Could swear that I saw both rear axles steer during the "middle of the street maneuver".
I must not have seen the changes to the front end yet. Changes to behind the cab are probably for the 600 HP Cat that I think it has!
Interesting that they seem to have gone to the "standard" style led clearance/marker lights on this (the very thin ones that are used on Freightliners I think, as opposed to the round ones on the little older MV's).
The skid plate seems to be shaped to "miss" the headlights, but I see the headlights moved to below the cab maybe? Is this a production change or is this for the movie?
I see they have added a small winch next to the PLS hook - interesting.
They also did away with the huge self-locating pintle hook on the rear for a "standard" style. Must only spec. the "huge" one for the PLS for "suposedly" one man loading/unloading of truck and trailer loads.
They must have designed the skid plate for the original soft skin cab and then maybe went to the lower "light bar" which would probably make the optional armored cab a much simpler change.
From the addition of the "nose mirror" they must be having too many issues with running over yugo's!
Just something seems oddly strange about having more steering axles than non-steering on a truck like this - don't get me wrong, I can see the neccessity. And it's nothing new - the 6-wheel APC's have #1 and #2 steer. And Mules could be all steer! Maybe it's just that one axle that does not!
Like I said - interesting that they have gone away from "protected" marker lights on these. "Brush a Tree - Loose a Light" - could cause a lot of blown circuit breakers if you're not careful.
But then there I go nit picking at an awesome truck!
Batman Crew likes MV's too!
