I am sure most here have seen the classic Bugs/Daffy cartoon…
But this is a different “duck hunter”. I built this for the Veterans GB and made it as one from the duck hunters who used to roll as part of our combined arms task forces from 5th ID back in the 80s. This is the Italeri 1/35 M163 kit with stowage coming from various sources, mainly Tamiya, but also some scratched for here. The camo scheme is one we had in the mid 80s at Ft Polk.
Thanks for looking! comments and critiques welcome.[blndfld]
Dedicated to the Duck Hunters of the 1st Battalion 55th Air Defense Artillery, 5th Infantry Division (Mech)
Having never seen one of these before I looked up photo of a 1:1. Bigger than the model looks. My 1st vision in my head (a dark and scary place) was a line of these that were remote controls moving acrss a field paving the road so to speak.
Stik these Vulcans could also blast away annoying infantrymen on the ground as well. If you remember that M42 Dusters in Vietnam were Duck Hunters but used in the Anti-Infantry role. And besides Infantrymen hide in holes like rabbits[:P]
BTW you know someone would have countered with Rabbit season.
Yes, I was one of those pesky infantry types back then… and got pretty good at digging holes too [;)] I was able to see them employed in both roles. I do believe that they were more effective against things on the ground than against things in the air. The volume of fire was awesome to see.
Bish, Rob beat me to it about the Duck Hunters explanation.
I did wounder if that was the reason, but had to ask to be sure. Hunting isn’t such the done thing over here, so its not the first thing that springs to mind.
Nice work on the Vulcan stik! My father was stationed at Ft. Polk in the early '80s…I have fond memories of wandering around in the woods there as a kid looking for stuff like box turtle shells, playing “combat” and building log forts, etc. That and easy access to the Gulf for fishing, crabbing, and other fun stuff! [;)]
Thanks Bish and Bill! I am happy with my final results here. It’s not the best kit (I am sure the Academy Vulcan is better), but it looks like what I wanted and will join my 5th ID collection quite well.
Bill, they do indeed have some interesting woods there. I can imagine being a kid there could have its fun times. Most of my fond memories of that time of my life are from the spillway out at Toledo Bend, or down at Lake Charles. I was there from March 84 until October 87, with a few deployments away during that time frame. Which unit was your father with?
I forgot to meantion one thing Stik you could have replaced the kits barrel with the Master Models 20mm Vulcan cannon barrel set which is 1/32 and would work on your kit.
BTW its all fun and games till someone has their bill sent to the backside of their head.
Nice model, great to see the old girl trotted out again. I have the Academy kit, and built the Italeri kit some time ago. I think the Italeri kit holds up OK. I picked up Revell’s rebox of the M901 ITV, and despite the bilious green plastic, the kit is very much improved by having Revell run the molds…
While the Vulcan has an impressive volume of fire, I’ve had sneezes that last as long as their entire ammo supply! I believe if they just fire one continuous burst, they have 10-15 seconds worth of ammo. Compared to a tank which carries enough ammo per tank to take a shot at a battalion worth of tanks (assuming one shot at each tank).
I’d have to ask him as I don’t recall exactly…he did work in ADA and was familiar with the Chaparral and Vulcan systems IIRC. We were there from 1980-82 before he was transferred to Ft. Bliss (his last duty station which is how I ended up becoming a “native” to the desert!) and medically discharged in 1984. I remember fishing at Toledo Bend on many occasions!
