AN/TPQ-36 Radar Section vehicles build

[HeavyArty]

I have started on another project I have wanted to do for a while. I was the battery Commander of A BTRY (TAB - Target Acquisition Battery), 1-39 FA (MLRS), 3ID during OIF 1 ('03 - invasion of Iraq). I had 3 AN/TPQ-36 radar sections and 2 AN/TPQ-37 radar sections, along with all the other parts of an FA battery.

The AN/TPQ-36 is a short range firefinder system that tracks mortar and light-medium artillery fire, usually up to 155mm. The section consist of three HMMWVs each with a trailer.

There is a Shelter HMMWV that pulls the Q-36 radar trailer, a 5kw Generator (MEP-802) HMMWV that pulls a 5Kw generator trailer, and the section chief’s M998 Cargo HMMWV that pulls an M101A2 cargo trailer.

Shelter HMMWV and Q-36

Generator HMMWV and generator trailer.

Q-36 in travel mode as I will do it.

So far, I have all three trailers pretty much done and the Shelter HMMWV.

Here is the Q-36 Radar trailer. I found a file for it online and printed it up. I added details and mounted is on a modified Italeri M101 trailer chassis.

The Generator trailer, another modified Italeri M101 trailer which I added details to. The generators are from Liam out of Korea from their more modern Generator Trailer (which I bought two of, another for the Generator HMMWV). I used parts if these trailers to update the others.

Mine.

The M101A2 Cargo Trailer. I used the Italeri M101 again, modified and added details to it. The top is two Academy Cargo HMMWV tops cut down and mated together.

Lastly, for now, is the Shelter HMMWV. I started with Tamiya’s M1025 since the Liam Shelter conversion is built for it and it has a separate rear tailgate, which the shelter needs.

Liam’s conversion set. It comes out very nicely.

My HMMWV Shelter carrier. I will be using soft doors from the Italeri Command HMMWV kit as they look great and have inner details, unlike the Liam ones.

Hard to see, but I added a brake and gas pedal as well from one I printed.

More to come later.

[Toimi_Tom]

What an awesome project! Those 3D details and parts look really nice. Following!

[HeavyArty]

Thanks Toimi_Tom. I am enjoying it so far.

[Pawel]

Another cool project Gino! I love to see models that have first hand experience with the real thing “mixed in”!
Good luck with it and have a nice day!
Paweł

[HeavyArty]

Thanks Pawel. Always good to have your opinion.

[HeavyArty]

I haven’t posted lately, but I have been working on the Q-36 section vehicles.

Here are the next two vehicles; the Section Chief’s Recon HMMWV and the Generator HMMWV.

They are both Academy M998 I.E.D. Gun Truck kits (13405), which have newer updates like the mirrors, front winch, and a few other parts, along with a bunch of extra gear and weapons. They also come with the forward soft top and rails. They are pretty nice kits and very usable. They do have one issue that all Academy HMMWVs have though. The rear engine cover in the cab is a large, square block that the radio sits on. The actual cover is almost vertical and has no square bulge. So I removed the kit part.

To fix it, I cut off an Italeri cover and copied it w/RTV rubber some time ago. I poured replacements in resin. They are much better. You can also see the 3D pedals here.

I also added the missing slave cable plug on the side of the passenger seat battery box, and closed in the front of the seat with sheet styrene.

Here is the Section Chief’s Recon HMMWV, an M998 Cargo truck that will pull the M101A2 Cargo Trailer. I added the turn signal lever on the steering column and the 4-wheel drive selector that Academy left off due to the oversized rear engine cover. Lastly, I designed and printed my own radio shelf, and the windshield wiper motor assembly.

I am using the rear cargo cover from an Italeri M1038 kit since it has a better, flatter shape than the Academy cargo cover, in my opinion.

Last is the M1038 Generator HMMWV which will pull the Generator Trailer. It has all the same mods as the above HMMWV. It also has a front winch and the heavy rear bumper from an ICM M1097A2 kit.

It also has a scratch generator sled in the back made out of diamond plate and c-channel styrene. Another Liam generator will sit in the back with some fuel cans.

Next up is painting all of them and adding details. More to come later.

[HeavyArty]

A small update today. I designed, printed, and installed antenna mounts on the HMMWVs and shelter.

Off to the paint booth this weekend.

[HeavyArty]

I had some time to get the initial paint on them over the weekend and last couple days. Here they are mocked up together.

Shelter HMMWV and Q-36 Radar

Generator HMMWV and Generator Trailer

Section Chief’s Recon HMMWV and M101A1 Trailer

Next up is detail painting and adding some gear so they look lived in. Radios and antennas, etc. will be added as well.

More to come later.

[HeavyArty]

The AN/TPQ-36 Radar Section is done.

Here is the M1038 Shelter Carrier HMMWV and AN/TPQ-36 Radar Trailer.

The bumper numbers are all made by me on my computer using PPT. and computer decal paper.

The trailers are all hooked up with safety chains and the brake light cable.

The M998 Section Chief’s Recon HMMWV and M101A2 Cargo Trailer

The back of the HMMWV is full of gear; jerry cans, ALICE packs, bedrolls, etc… I also added soft plastic windows to the inner sides of the soft doors using pieces cut from ziploc bags and glued in place.

SINCGARS ASIP radios

The M1038 Generator HMMWV with Generator Trailer.

The generator decals came with the LIAM generator kits.

I added decals to all of them. On the inside I added instruments and placards, along with fire extinguishers and SINCGARS ASIP radios with wiring and handset.

I really enjoyed building these and am very pleased with how they came out.

[HeavyArty]

I forgot to add this one yesterday. The undersides are fully detailed as well. Yup, missed the mold pin marks, oh well, they are underneath.

Any comments or questions feel free to chime in.