M34 2 1/2 ton truck conversion

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I have started another conversion I have wanted to do for a while. I am backdating the AFV Club M35A1(Nancy Guntruck) truck to an M34 2 1/2 ton truck. The M34 was the original truck in the M44 series of trucks which were designed and built after WWII to replace the CCKW series of trucks. The M34 had a lower bed without a spacer between the frame and bed. It also had six single, larger tires. They are the same size as an M54, 11x20. To make all this work, the bed sides had cut-outs to accommodate the larger wheels and lower bed.

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To build it, I started with the AFV Club M35A1 and cut the spacer off the frame for the bed. I also added about 1/8 inch to the frame behind the fuel tank so the bed is centered on the rear wheels. I also added resin copies of the AFV Club M54A2 front brake drums.

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The bed is from the old Revell M34 kit. It is actually a pretty nice kit, very usable, but needs some TLC to make it better. I sanded down all the knock-out pin marks that were all over the exterior, added a third leg and a couple angled supports on each seat, and filled all the mounting holes. I also swapped out the undersized tailgate with one from the M35 kit. I had to narrow it about 2mm to fit between the bed sides. I also added the rear lights from the M35A1 to the underside rear of the bed and used the M35A1 mud guards on it as well.

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I filled in and adjusted the M35A1 exhaust as well. The muffler had a large void on the top, which may be visible from some angles. I filled it with square-stock styrene and filler putty. I also cut down the height of the rear just below the horizontal by about 4mm to account for the lower bed. Lastly, I added a flat mount for it as well.

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The rest of it is straight from the M35A1 kit. I did fill in the air cleaner hole on the right side panel and the hole where the exhaust comes through the right fender.

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As mentioned above, the wheels/tires are the larger 11x20 as seen on M54s. I will be using the Def Model M54 Sagged Front Wheel set.

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They look pretty good just placed where they go.

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I am at a stopping point here. I am waiting on the Tamiya U.S. 2 1/2ton 6x6 Cargo Truck Accessory Parts Set so I can add the correct gun ring to it. The M34 still used the WWII CCKW style gun ring.

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So more to come after I receive the gun ring.

2

Hello Gino!

Sometimes when you look at your new builds it’s like you’re reading my mind :slight_smile: I’ve been thinking about this very conversion for some time now, and I have the Revell truck in stash. I didn’t know about the larger tires though - that’s a very good tip here.

I wonder about your one build choice - the Reo trucks have those side panels on both sides of the radiator where the headlights go. On earlier M35s and M34s they are mounted so that the headlights are on the bottom of the panel. On later trucks they are reversed, so that the headlights are on top (makes sense, better for the visibility). Wouldn’t you like to reverse these panels to have your headlights lower?

Good luck with your build and have a nice day!

Paweł

3

Thanks Pawel. It is one I have wanted to do for a while too.

As to the lights, the later M34s had them on top as well, so no issue. Some examples.

4

Very cool Gino, looking forward to more!

5

Nice. I rode in these when I was in the Corps. Good luck.

6

Thanks gents. It is a fun conversion so far.

I will have an update on the wheels later, but I have reworked them. I figured out that the M54 wheels are inorrect (too many bolts and not enough holes), tires are right, just not the wheels.

7

Here are the new and improved (correct) wheels. I took the kit front wheels and made an RTV mold of their front side. I then made resin copies of the centers and sanded them to fit the holes in the wheels. I took the rear outer wheels and flipped them. On the inside face, they have six pins that fit into holes on the inner wheels to align the double wheels on the rear. By turning them around and adding the center caps, they are identical to the kit front wheels.

Here they are. The two on the left are the kit ones and four on the right are my conversions.
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Inner and outer wheels and how they are supposed to go together.
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These are the AFV Club M59 Long Tom howitzer tires added to my updated wheels. They fit perfectly with a little sanding of the center rib around the outside of the wheel.
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Here they are temporarily in place on the truck.
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They look pretty good to me.

8

I didn’t like how my wheel compromises looked after all. The pins on them don’t really look like lug nuts. So, I worked a deal for four replacements. The four additional front wheels came in, thanks Wayne. They look great; much better than my compromises. I now have the correct wheels and tires.

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I also received the Tamiya CCKW Accessory Set with the WWII gun ring and installed it. As you can see, I had to lengthen the one front support pole with styrene rod of the same diameter.

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I also added the bows from the AFV Club M54 “Eve of Destruction” guntruck kit. They are extra in it. I narrowed their width by 2mm to make them fit better. I also scratched the mount for them to store in from sheet styrene.

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Here it is overall so far. I hope to get some paint on it this weekend.

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9

She’s lookin’ sharp Gino. Looking forward to seeing how she looks with a coat of paint.

10

Thanks Gamera. I hopefuly will have another (painted) update this weekend.

11

Over the weekend and the last couple of days, I got the truck painted, decaled, and started detailing.

I painted it in Tamiya TS-5 Olive Drab spray, which represent the darker post-WWII OD Green well. I used decals from the AFV Club M35A1 Nancy Guntruck for general stencils and stars and the Tamiya jeep decals for bumper numbers and USA numbers.

Here it is so far.
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On the cab interior, I used Archer’s M35 interior decals.
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I added an M14 with sling and some .50cal ammo cans to the cab, one on the seat and three under it.
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Next up is some weathering and possibly a load in back. I still need to add line and a hook to the front winch, paint the strap on the jerry can too.

12

Hello Gino! Lookin’ sharp! I don’t know why, but I just love the old “white stars on OD” look. Good luck with the finishing touches and have a nice day!

Paweł

13

Thanks Pawel. I like how it is coming along.

14

Looking very sharp! The OD color looks about right for that era. Not too much farther to the finish line on this one.

15

I’ve really enjoyed this build string so far and looking forward to the details added with the stowage and weathering.

Good modeling Gino!

16

Thanks gents. It is coming along. I hope to have some completed pics up tonight.

17

The M34 is complete. I added the cable from ship line (dipped in gunmetal paint) and a chain/hook (from an Academy set) onto the front winch. I also added various generic crates, bags and a couple duffel bags in the back for cargo. I marked the crates with generic US Army stenciling and other numbers and labels for some color and variety. I also added chains and pins to the rear tailgate. Lastly, I dry-brushed it in various earth brown and dusty brown tones.

Here it is overall.
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And the cargo.
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I really like how it turned out. The Revell bed is not bad at all and can be brought up to current standards with a little bit of work. Mated to the AFV Club frame and cab, and larger tires really brings this one to life. I think it makes a very nice M34.

I have another Revell M34 kit and plan to use it to build an M50 water truck in the future.

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18

Hello Gino! Now that’s a really nice truck! I like it a lot, the cargo looks cool, too. I also like the idea to use that Revell bed for the tanker a lot. This build made me want to start building some of my trucks! Thanks for sharing and good luck with your next projects - by the way, what is it going to be? Have a nice day!

Paweł

19

Thanks Pawel. I like how it turned out as well. Not sure what will be next, probably something with tracks. I may do a Ukraine M2A2 ODS-SA Bradley w/full interior. We shall see.

20

Nice work on that M34 truck. Is that an AM .50cal on the ring, from the kit, or from the parts box? anyway, nice job.