historyfanatics

I am attempting to replicate a Quad 50 gun truck from Viet Nam. Originally, I was planning to use an M809-series 5-ton as I have been unable to find an M39-series 5-ton. However, I have learned that none of the M809-series trucks made it to Viet Nam. And, they would appear too late in the war. So, I am using an M35-series truck.

My question is one of details. I am able to find all kinds of photos which show the names of the trucks or the business end of the guns. However, I am unable to find any photos showing details, such as the armored doors and windshields, or even detail shots of the Quad 50 mount.

Also, since I am having to scratchuild the mount, does anybody have any ideas that would help me out? Original mounts are simply too expensive for me right now.

I am hoping to get the truck completed in time to go to the Gun Truck reunion in August 2009.

Thanks,
Robert

www.historyfanatics.net

dogtags

I have access to a M55 Multiple Gun Carriage and would be happy to help you out. Take a look here for an image of the trailer.

~Robert

jasonjc

The quad 50 were mostly mounted on the 2 1/2 ton M35 trucks so you are useing the right truck.

vtdeucedriver

For a Trans unit "YES" the M35 was the chassis used. They were early stages of development in the GUN TRUCK CONCEPT. NANCY being one of the most well known trucks.


There were a couple of M54's that had the quad in 8th GP (Yellow Noses)t. If I remember right, they were other trans units that had them but not nearly as many as your foreward fire bases!!! During the monsoon seasons, those trailers were a bear to negotiate through the mud to move the turret. So they mounted them in 5 ton trucks and would park the truck and gun on the perimiter as needed.

Some where packed, I have a disk with a bunch of IFF unit trucks with the quad mount but since you want to to go to PF in 2009, I am assuming you want a trans unit.

I am sure that driver523 (AKA Larry) or I can scare up something.

jasonjc

On a side note my dad drove/used a half-track with the qaud 50's to patrol the air field fence line during the Koean war. He was a MP in the army/air force.

historyfanatics

I like the set up. I have photos showing that mount in the back of the trucks. But, all the photos only show the artwork or a general view.

Since I am essentially scratch-building a quad mount, would it be possible to get some dimensions from you? Such as height of the sides, overall width, diameter of the turntable, and anything else you think might be relevant.

Essentially, I am trying to replicate (for lack of a better word) a gun truck that was used on Rt 13, aka Thunder Road. The only info I have is that this truck operated in the area, and was temporarily assigned to the 1st Infantry Division. I suspect it was an anti-aircraft battery on temporary assignment.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Robert
www.historyfanatics.net

Driver523

Robert--My name is Larry Fiandt and I'm the organizer of the Gathering (the reunion you spoke of) we'd love to have you attend the Gathering in Augest and everyone else that would like to---the reason for this post is about the armor on the quad trucks, it was more or less the same as the "box" type gun trucks, armor in the window channel and another hung at an angle on the outside of the door---some of the trucks had armor on the bedside below the depressed angle of the guns and some on the rear, then as I'm sure you have seen four smaller sheets on the Maxon power turret "quad mounts" to protect the loaders, it seems that most this armor is the same as what was used on other trucks with the two x two holes around the edges and the door armor also being the same sheet we used on our doors---Hope this helps even just a bit---and good luck to you along with a big THANK YOU for helping preserve our history----Driver

halftrack

Driver, what were the exact dimensions of the sheet armor used on guntrucks. The ones with the ports in them. It looks like the Nancy Guntruck had the pre-made sheets with the slant cut going right across the ports. How thick was the plate? Was it welded on the side of the bed or bolted on? How did the plate go on the door? is it too welded or bolted? close pictures of your door would be much appreciated. That must be a lot of weight for the doors. Did y'all remove the glass windows from the doors also? Please forgive me for all the petty questions. Just trying to be as historically correct as possibel. I have been putting off this project for several months and reading your guntruck posts has motivated me.

__________________
Jason Frisch

timntrucks

hope to make that rally again if i can make it Tim

__________________
1970 XM816 w/w Jeep/Kaiser (1600s)196- M353 gen trailer
196? M416 jeep trailer
1974 M750 semi trailer
196? M105A2 aluminum flat bed
1965 M332 Raven Shinnston ammo
1965 M101A1
1993 M101A3 Kasel eled

Driver523

Jason--Send me a email subject Nancy that way I'll know I have your email--I can't remember if I still have it or not--I'll then send you the measurments you'll need---Ron Smith that has the Black Widow replica just seen your post here and wanted me to let you know he will have the Black Widow at the battleship Alabama April 4th and 5th, all that armor is the same size and you'll be able to first hand see how to attach the door armor, now I see that on the model thats out there it looks like the outside armor is flat to the door--ours was at an angle--I don't know which way it was on Nancy but I will find out--really glad to hear from you again----I will help all I can, don't hesitate to ask any questions----talk to ya then---Larry Fiandt----Driver Driver523rd@aol.com