Thanks richs26.  Too late.  This one was done a few months ago.

Excellent work Gino.  How about adding a couple of USAF 463L pallets on 4x4 dunnage.  That is how we did it in USAF CE.

Good luck on your build.  Be sure to post some pics as it comes along.

i want to do this exact same thing, i have this kit already in my collection and have built the m915 version with the m872 trailer. my last duty station in the army i operated the m931 with either the m871 flatbed or the m969 bulk fuel trailers depending upon the mission requirements. im in the process of building the m931 using mainly the italarie m925

Thanks Gamera.  It was a fun project.

The load looks good, nice work! She looks great! 

Thanks Capn.  The pallets were really easy and quick.  I like how the load looks as well.

Good mix on the cargo, very Marine Corps.

IRL, might have been packed tighter with more weight between kingpin & wheel trucks--but, this is modeleing, which is respresentitive.  So, it's just right.

Nice "save" on the pallets.  And, you got to skip the 'joys' of ginning up wooden replicas.

Which reminds me, I have an .stl file of a modern recycled plastic modular pallet, but danged if I can find it this very moment.

Thanks Gary.  It was a fun and rewarding build.

That's really detailed work!  Congrats!

Gary

Thanks Pawel.  The container is an engine shipping and storage container.  Scroll up a bit and I explain how I built it.  It is basically a sheet styrene box with a curved top.  To that, I added various pieces of styrene C channel and L shapes for the details.

Hello Gino!

Turned out great!

Can you tell me more about this container:

HeavyArty

 

I mean what's inside and how did you build it?

Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

Paweł

I had a few days off due to Hurricane Idalia and was stuck in the house. Prayers for those affected. We were spared here in Tampa; just some wind and rain.

I worked on the M871 while cooped up and finished it up. I got the MiniArt pallet set in and discovered that they are not right for modern pallets. They are Euro pallets which are too narrow. The MREs are the size of a modern pallet.

They are easy to fix though. I cut the two outer boards off of one pallet, and added them to another pallet.

Once glued together, it is the correct size. All you have to do is adjust the underside supports and you are set. It took 3 Euro pallets to get two larger ones. I was able to get nine pallets out of the set, which originally came w/12 Euro pallets. I was able to cobble together an extra one from left over cutoff pieces.

Here is how they look with cargo on them. Each piece also has shipping labels and is properly tied down.  I also made a couple water bottle case pallets in the same manner as the MRE pallets.  Since it is a USMC tractor/trailer combo from ODS (Op Desert Storm, '90-'91), the cargo includes: T142 tracks, M60 road wheels (both steel and aluminum), and an M60 cupola.  

Additional cargo. The wooden crates are from Miniart as well.

Here is all the cargo.

Here is the trailer weathered with a couple sand and brown washes, some green chipping, and some sandy drybrushing.

And with the cargo loaded.

I mated it with an M931A2 Tractor I had built a few years ago.

I gave it an overall update while I was at it. I added instrument and placard decals in the cab and added the air lines and power cord back to the trailer, along with James Lee’s 3D printed gladhands. I also added a few other details and decals here and there to spice it up a bit.

This “quick weekend build” turned into a couple weeks, but was really fun and I am satisfied with how it turned out. Building all the cargo and other added items really added to it, but were well worth it.

Thanks Capn.  I was thinking about doing water bottle pallets as well.  We'll see.

Looks good.

You probably need several of these:

But, it may be simpler to do the cardboard cased bersion (if a lot rarer in theater)

There some of these around, too (just not real common)

But, that would be a cool item to have a 3d print.

Which poses another question--of whether a forklift will be wanted to tie this all together.

I got some more work done on it this weekend (mostly Sat as today was a beach day!).

I added the side panels. I made them out of 0.020 sheet styrene with C channel styrene for the poles. I also used the C channel at the tops w/hand holes cut into them. I forgot to take pre-paint pics. I painted them in a sand, green, and NATO camo for some variety.

I also started working on the cargo. I built an engine storage and shipping container from pics and dims on a surplus site.

Engine Container1280×720 230 KB

Here is my version, made out of sheet styrene, C channel styrene, L angle styrene, and some bolt heads.

Painted. Just need to make decals for it.

I also started on some MRE pallets. I took a file I had of the old-style MRE and rearranged them into a stack 6 high, with four sides connected. I then printed then onto a brown paper bag. Once printed, I cut it into a strip and made a 28mmx28mm cube out of sheet styrene. I then wrapped the MRE strip around the cube and added the top cover.

Actual ones.

Old Style MREs on Pallets960×638 184 KB

My versions so far. I am waiting on MiniArt pallets to come in to strap them to.

Since this will a USMC truck/trailer from ODS ('90-'91), I am also thinking about putting some rolled up T142 track, M60 road wheels, and maybe an M60 cupola on pallets. Also some wooden crates, maybe some rolled tarps, a generator, etc. in back. I plan on filling it up.

Thanks gents.  I am planning on a variety of cargo pallets; MREs, track, engine container, boxes, etc....

I have no idea how you can keep cranking out these conversions! Amazing skill set.

HeavyArty

Not sure I want to fold that many MRE boxes.

Well, a modeler of lesser stature mith only fold the top layer, or top and exposed side of suchs pallets--with a casting to some sort representing the invisible layers below and behind . . .

If it's any help, I'm coming up empty on remembering a USMC supply trailer that was every unformly just one thing, now, ginning up pallets of water bottles, crates of pogeybait or other gueydunk.  Ought to be one pallet of Important Stuff getting "hot shotted" in the load.  And some mail bags.

Thanks Gamera. 

I have also been contemplating a load for it. A load of MRE pallets was suggested on another site.

The MRE pallets would be cool, but it will take 16 pallets to fill the trailer. Not sure I want to fold that many MRE boxes.

Yeah wow Gino, that is some progress! You are almost there! 

Are you just building her empty or do you have some cargo for her? 

Work continues on the M871 trailer.  After posting, I was looking at reference pics to get some more details and inspiration. I discovered something I overlooked. On the actual trailer, there is no overhang at the rear behind the wheels. The longer M872 has one and I left it. Wrong.

1999×750 347 KB

So I broke out the saw and sand paper and went to work. I had to cut about 1" from the rear and move it forward to keep the proper length, and move the storage box and spare tire holder. I also had to slide the axle assembly forward a bit to clear the rear sling point box.

Here it is so far.

I marked it as a USMC trailer as it will eventually be mated w/ my USMC M932A2 from Desert Storm.

I also added the data plates under the left side on the frame.

I also started weathering it with the wood that makes up the cargo deck.

Almost there. Next I have to decide if I am doing the side boards for the cargo bed. I’m leaning toward yes, but we will see how they go.

Thanks Capn.  No idea on the kingpin size/type/reversible etc.  I do know they were/are usually pulled by 5 tons (M813, M932, M1088).

Looks sharp.

I have this rememory that those trailers have a reversible kingpin to fit both of the 'standard' Army fifth wheels.

But, I could be mis-remembering that with the similar lo-boy used for moving construction equipment used by CoE & SeaBEES.

I do have a distinct memory of standing around waiting on a beach while the E4 Mafia tried to sort out kingpins in a rather long FTX.

Thanks.  It does appear that way.  Just clearing a few projects/ideas I have had floating around for a while.

Cool! Looks like you're on a roll with the trucks Gino.