The WPL 6x6 RC truck has been around for quite a while and I thought I would share my project idea to change one into a M 54 gun truck from the Viet Nam war. The truck it self has a reasonable scaled cab, but everything behind that is marginal at best. The first pic to show where I am so far. I hope to add details of what I have done and where I sourced the parts so others can follow if desired.
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The WPL truck kits are a great way to get experience in building and modifying RC trucks.. They are reasonably priced and pretty basic. The truck I started with was a all plastic version that I upgraded to all metal drive train. If you plan on running it anywhere but indoors, metal upgrade is the way to go.
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For the cargo body I removed the spare tire assembly so I could extend the body and built over the existing part to make it an easier project. The side and interior panels are plastic sheeting, shimmed and cut to fit. The notches are where the Mg mounts will be. I will use full size pedestal mounts I had from a prior project . They are from Battleground models. I left them full size to give the mount a little more strength.
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The body panels are evergreen plastic with panel lines scribed and mounting holes drilled along the edges. I added bolt detail where needed to simulate mounting points. The stepped up spot on the right where the old spare tire assembly sat was added as a battery box to allow bigger batteries to be used.
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I replaced the original fuel tank and moved it to the right location with one I found at Battleground models. They have one made for SAS long range tanks on a jeep that look much better. Also a little bolt detail and side armor mounting shown.
For the passenger side I used a modified part from the spare parts box for the tool box. This shows the extended side step with some diamond plate added for detail to fit the full cab width.
The air cleaner is from ebay. It's a metal kit that has side mirrors and an exhaust stack. I changed the fittings and added different intake tubing from Plastruct.
The rear bumpers and tow hitch are from the WPL B36 truck. It's a direct fit.
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Front windshield armor with bolt detail, and a replacement grille I was able to find on Shape ways before they went out of business. I flipped the front bumper and will be moving the tow hooks to a more correct location. The loss of Shape ways was a big hit. They had a lot of detail parts that would have been very usefull with this project.
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Now for some electronics. I have the upgraded control board with the diesel sound and I moved it to the battery box to allow easier access and less exposure to moisture and dirt. I replaced the stock speaker with one I found on Amazon and testing shows much better operation. I have also been testing a bluetooth speaker for added sound effects. The battery was moved to the box I built on the front of the bed. So far the sound is better than stock.
Stock and replacement.
Speakers will be mounted in the cab. Still working on a good mounting solution.
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Following this with interest.Comment
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The side mirrors that came with the air cleaner kit are a little too fragile to use on a truck that is going to be a runner. I looked around and found another set that come from a 1/16 HEMTT RC truck that will work. I cut off the ends and they will fit in the original mounting brackets with new mounting pins made from small brad nails cut down to fit. They are a little too thick but do swivel back and forth so a hit or a roll over should not break them off.
In the back I mounted a M134 mini gun found on e bay. Temp mounted for now on the box from the old spare tire bracket assembly. I've got a lot of accessories collected to fill up the rest of the bed.
The M2 50 cal mounts. And a view of the side bolt detail.
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Worked on some accessories.
Ammo cans from ebay. Just enough detail and cost effective to fill the bed. Need a little sanding and some new made lowered handles.
Fuel cans, Water cans, and a mermite can.
C Rations and........................
Small arms.
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Adding a radio is the next step. From what I found online, most Gun Trucks used a version of the AN / VRC 12 series radios. Not a lot of choices in this scale but I found Battleground models has a few types of WW 2 era radios that can be made to stand in using the 2 foot rule of modeling with a little work. I decided to use a version of the PRC 77 vehicle mount radio as it is a little more visually interesting than a single small square piece of plastic. And I am familiar with this as it was in the track I drove many years ago. I used a set for a WW 2 tank radio and a man pack radio to make the pieces needed.
AN /VRC 12 series radio
PRC 77 Vehicle mount.
My Version
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This is coming along fantastically. Far more detailed than my efforts.Comment
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I was going to do a basic model of a gun truck and after researching and reading about them I thought I should get as close as I could to the real thing.Originally posted by Meter Rat View PostComment
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Mine is build with my nephew, and his wee pal next door. As 7yo’s they have no comprehension of fine details. They just drive them flat out everywhere.
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I'm using some of the WPL parts in my AHHQ M8 Greyhound RC conversion.Originally posted by tdriver113 View PostComment
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The construction of the bed with the added battery box is well done. I've watched a couple of videos about these modified gun trucks a while back on Youtube. The brave young men who crewed these trucks make me think of stage coaches in the wild west being shot up by gangs of out laws!!!Originally posted by tdriver113 View PostThe body panels are evergreen plastic with panel lines scribed and mounting holes drilled along the edges. I added bolt detail where needed to simulate mounting points. The stepped up spot on the right where the old spare tire assembly sat was added as a battery box to allow bigger batteries to be used.
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Tdriver113, I really this build. I've always wanted a 1/16 WW-II 4x4 weapons carrier, and it's only a 1/35th scale model kit. I purchased the closest thing from Aliexpress, and I repainted it, and I did away with the front fender mounted head lights, and I did some scratch mods on the grill. Then I used Star masks to paint the stars on it. The 4x4 truck is most likely a Vietnam, or later US Military truck style.Originally posted by tdriver113 View PostFront windshield armor with bolt detail, and a replacement grille I was able to find on Shape ways before they went out of business. I flipped the front bumper and will be moving the tow hooks to a more correct location. The loss of Shape ways was a big hit. They had a lot of detail parts that would have been very usefull with this project.
I filled in the holes in the fenders with Bondo!!!
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Don't forget the ole Budweiser cases!!!!! Afterall, it made Bud Wiser!!!!!!!!!Originally posted by tdriver113 View PostWorked on some accessories.
Ammo cans from ebay. Just enough detail and cost effective to fill the bed. Need a little sanding and some new made lowered handles.
Fuel cans, Water cans, and a mermite can.
C Rations and........................
Small arms.
GI's had to unwind after they went through the shooting gallery and back again.
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This is one of the Gun Truck videos I watched. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvquQC7h8hM&t=191s
Here's another great video on Commietube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjz9yX4vTMc&t=41sComment
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