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M49A2 Fueler Rebuild

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
M49A2 Fueler Rebuild
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 8:39 AM

I am currently rebuilding an old model that I had used for parts.  I built the AFV Club M49A2C shortly after it came out, around late '94 to early '95 when I was in OBC at Ft Sill, OK.  A few years later (2004-ish), I pulled the cab and a few other parts off it to build my M54A1 "King Cobra" guntruck.

The rest of the fueler was relegated to the spares bin. 

Recently, I came across it and decided to rebuild it.  To do so, I needed a new cab.  I was able to source a complete cab parts B sprue from the AFV Club M35 series trucks from a contact in Hong Kong.

I also sourced some missing parts from a fellow modeler at Armorama, Wayne "namengr" Wickell.  Thanks to him for the missing gear box, fuel tank, and a couple other small parts.

The rest of the frame and M49 tanker-specific parts were mostly still there, albiet a little worse for wear.  I had to rebuild a few things and reattach a lot of the parts.  The frame alone was in four pieces with all the axles separate.  I built the air tanks in the middle of the frame from scratch.  

I plan on building it as a late Vietnam to early '70s era M49A2 w/o winch in overall green with white markings, like below.

Here it is so far, ready for paint.

For markings, I found a German decal set from TL Modellbau that includes the "Flammable No Smoking..." markings in white, as well as black.

I will be using decals from the M35A1 "Nancy" Gun Truck kit for common markings in white.  I also have a set of the Archer M35 instrument decals for it as well.

I hope to have some paint on it soon and I am waiting for the decals to come in.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 10:13 AM

Good luck Gino, I like revisiting old projects. I'm such a packrat and many of my kits have been damaged in transit awaiting the discovery of parts and inspiration.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 10:15 AM

This should be good. Are you going to do this in the NATO camo?

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 10:44 AM
Nope... "I plan on building it as a late Vietnam to early '70s era M49A2 w/o winch in overall green with white markings..."

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 12:12 PM

Nice resurection project.

 

Got to love the humor in the pic of the single 1:1......No Smoking, Flammable, potable water.Wink

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 3:28 PM

Hello Gino!

Cool project! I'd love to do something similar some day... Thought about building the old style tank, with the wheel cutouts, but I think it's too complicated and I miss references for that, so probably I'll stay with the A2C tank.

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 5:04 PM

Thanks guys.  It will be a fun rebuild.  Just received the "Flammable..." decals in the mail today.   Hopefully it will be painted and decalled soon.

goldhammer

Got to love the humor in the pic of the single 1:1......No Smoking, Flammable, potable water.

It must be "Fire Water"...good stuff!!

Pawel,  I had thought about rebuilding the bed to the earlier M44 as well, but didn't want to start over.  You could get the Revell/Monogram M34 "Eager Beaver" kit and use it's bed parts and wheels/tires as a base and combine them with the cab, frame, and M49 tank parts from AFV Club.  That is what I was thinking of doing.  It is pretty decent for a 50+ year old kit.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 5:51 PM

Gino,

I already have the Revell truck but my plans for it are to build an M34 using some of the AFV Club parts. As for the early M49 tanker the problem with it is not only the bed is different, but also the tank - it's divided differently than in the M49A2C and I bet there are other differences that I just don't have enough references for, so I just plan to do the M49A2C almost OOB with the exception of backdating the blackout lights (already drew them in 3D: https://www.shapeways.com/product/549MYYM6B/1-35-us-military-blackout-tailllights-24x?optionId=68738639) and other details as appropriate for Vietnam.

Now I didn't notice it before, but the combination of "Flammable" and "Potable water" really made my day... goldhammer, thanks for pointing this out.

Have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 7:42 AM

Ohhhhh, sounds cool! 

 

Lol, yeah the whole 'flammable' water labeling. The whole 'off-road vehicle' struck me as funny too since it seems AMC wanted too much for the name 'Jeep'...  

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 7:48 AM

Gamera
 The whole 'off-road vehicle' struck me as funny too since it seems AMC wanted too much for the name 'Jeep'... 

That is actually the latest/current boxing, so you can blame Fiat-Chrysler for wanting too much to license the "Jeep" name.

This is how Italeri handled it.

 

They also removed the bars on the Jeep trademarked grill.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 11:12 AM

Yeah, AMC got bought out over a decade ago, I'll get caught up one day- maybe. 

Pretty crazy how they had to alter the whole grill to get around the trademark but I'm not surprised. 

Is Tamiya the only guys that forked over the cash to use the name?

 

Anyway I've gotten us way off track- sorry. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 11:15 AM

The mislabeling of the truck could be one of two reasons. First, it might have been for potable water until it showed signs of contamination and then switched to being a fuel truck.

Second, it may have been used to "fool" enemies that it wasn't really fuel.

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 11:43 AM

HeavyArty

Hello!

While I agree that they wanted to get around the trademarked grill, I have also read in the instructions of the Tamiya-boxed SAS-jeep that the soldiers sometimes removed the bars to improve the air circulation through the radiator for better cooling. OK, that doesn't sound too realistic neither...

I think it's kinda dumb - every model built of the legendary Jeep only increases the value of the brand... They should actually be paying the modellers to build the models here! Thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 12:08 PM

Well Pawel you obviously aren't a lawyer. Model railroading in the US went through the same crisis. What was once a country with hundreds of railroads has turned into one with just a few mega-railroads. Which in turn have massive legal teams. They assert that all of the "fallen flags" that the parent corporations assimilated are brands now controlled by the current corporations

I suppose that's true, but I also share with you the opinion of the pointlessness of it all.

 Why the BNSF railroad would care if one models the old Spokane, Portland and Seattle is beyond me.

Enough hijacking, sorry Gino.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 12:18 PM

Gamera

Yeah, AMC got bought out over a decade ago...

Actually over 3 decades ago.  Chrysler bought out AMC in 1987.

Gamera
Is Tamiya the only guys that forked over the cash to use the name?

Pretty much.  Dragon and Bronco call theirs "1/4 ton, 4x4 trucks" too.  Damn lawyers.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 7:53 PM

Work continues on the fuel truck.  I was able to get it painted and added all the decals.  I used Testors Model Master Olive Drab for the overall color.  Next up is a dullcoat, painting the lights, and weathering.

The Archer cab decals are really nice.  They really dress up the cab and instrument cluster.

The white common markings (stars, US Army serial numbers, stenciling, etc.) are all from the AFV Club M35A1 Nancy Guntruck.  The bumper numbers are from the spares bin.  The "Flammable..." decals are from the TL Modellbau set.

The decals in the pump compartment are from the fueler kit.

More to come as I continue.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:06 PM

Yes Very nice! 

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 2:27 AM

Hello Gino!

It is indeed very nice! I just love the cab interior with all those stickers/decals/data plates.

One problem though - the hood star... Since at least 1956 the T.B. specified (3-11-e) "On horizontal surfaces the star will be applied with one point directly toward the front of the vehicle or equipment. On vertical surfaces the star will have one point directly up." and it was accomanied by thic cute drawing:

TB drawing, US Army

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 6:49 AM

Ugg!!  Damn, you are right.  How did I screw that up?  Decisions, decisions.  Do I fix it now that it is all gloss-coated and sealed in place, or just let it go and chock it up to Joe not reading the reg right? We'll see.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 7:32 AM

Gino - sorry about that! I just figured better now than when it's really done, right? I hate when something like that happens to me... good luck with your build, I really like how this is turning out

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 7:45 AM

After looking at pictures of actual M35A1 series trucks w/the white stars, it looks about 50/50 on which way they point.  Also, the actual Nancy Guntruck had the star pointing towards the windshield (rear).

This is also depicted on the AFV Club 1/35 Nancy instructions, which is what I followed for decal placement.

Based on this evidence, I am going to leave it as is.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 10:54 AM

Gino: She looks really good! Nice work! 

Pawel: Interesting. I have a bad habit of going by the kit instructions. I remember putting the tailplanes on a Minicraft B-24 Liberator once upside down because for some reason they labeled them in the instructions that way. Thought they looked funny but never thought to double-check my reference material... Bang Head 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Thursday, July 18, 2019 9:10 AM

Thanks Gamera.  I hope to have it done soon.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

SM2
  • Member since
    December 2012
  • From: San Antonio, TX
Posted by SM2 on Thursday, July 18, 2019 10:18 AM
This is some fine work, and I'm enjoying and learning from this thread. I've got an M49 build planned, and I took note of the "flammable" decals, so I ordered some (they're on the way). Keep up the good work, and I'll be tuning in with interest! Jim
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Thursday, July 18, 2019 10:46 AM

HeavyArty

Ugg!!  Damn, you are right.  How did I screw that up?  Decisions, decisions.  Do I fix it now that it is all gloss-coated and sealed in place, or just let it go and chock it up to Joe not reading the reg right? We'll see.

 

We didn't look at regulations when repainting vehicles. When the M60A3 tanks were repainted, we applied the little black star with a cut out stencil.

It was surprising how many of the black stars were askew or even upside down.

During one of our command inspections, the best looking tank won over the second best because its star was straighter.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Thursday, July 18, 2019 12:25 PM

Thanks Rob.  You articulated exactly what I was thinking.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, July 18, 2019 12:44 PM

That gun truck photo should be all the 'splainin' needed.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, July 22, 2019 5:07 PM

It is complete.  I painted the seats and top field drab.  I drybrushed with a sandy color and a bit of a rust color.  Then a light wash of an acrylic sandy color.

Here are the finished pics.

Interior.

With a figure for a bit of scale, guarding the fueler.

It has been a fun rebuild.  It also shows how much my building and skills have changed since I first built it in '94.  That seems like ages ago.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Rifle, CO. USA
Posted by M1GarandFan on Monday, July 22, 2019 11:14 PM

Beautiful build. It looks great!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 6:50 AM

Thanks M1GarandFan.  I like how it came out.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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