Trux Models. 1990 to 2005.

The M9 Halftrack was the artillery tractor version of the M5. It also came as M9A1 with armoured AA mount and some were fitted with a winch. The only difference from the M5 was the addition of ammunition and stowage lockers internally. As usual the British showed some imagination in converting them for other roles but the two major roles were as armoured personnel carrier and 17pdr anti tank tractor.

As a personnel carrier one source says the ammunition bins were removed but certainly there are photos of them being used with the bins in place. Since they were normally required to carry 8 men and there were seats for 10 there would seem to be no need to remove bins.

As a tractor for the 17pdr AT gun only M9 fitted with winch were used. The 17 pdr was too heavy to emplace, or remove from a position, without the help of a winch. An ammunition limber was normally used. I do not think my model was ever finished. It should have an AA mount. The gun is not a Trux Model but the limber is.



Mike

 

The Halftrack M14 was another member of the International M5 family. It was built as a Motor Gun Carriage mounting twin .5" AA guns. It differed from the M5 in having the tops of the rear body hinged so that they could be folded down, not having mine racks and all were fitted with a winch. 1400 were built and Britain took them all. There was no requirement at the time for an AA version so the guns were removed and the halftrack used for a variety of roles. Some had simple modifications carried out but some were issued for modification by units. A serious disadvantage was that this version did not have a rear door. This made it unsuitable for some roles

Shown below are two common versions, the ammunition carrier for self propelled field artillery units and the so called personnel version. The third model shows a M14 with a specially designed tilt. The M14 did not normally have one.

The ammunition carrier was simply the M14 with guns removed. It retained the flat floor of the original. The personnel version had the central part of the floor removed to provide a well as on the M5 and M9. Wooden bench seats were added and a partitioned stowage area provided. These were not used as armoured personnel carriers as was the M5 but as a general purpose vehicle in armoured units etc.



Mike

 

The Cars.



Humber Snipe Saloon.
Canadian Ford C11ADF modified for General Alexander.
Humber Tourer.
Canadian Ford C11 ADF Utility.
Ford WOA1 Saloon.
Packard Clipper Saloon.
Canadian Ford Sedan C11.

Mike

 

Thanks Owen,

I must admit that I am surprised at how many views this thread has attracted. I had not finished editing today's offering when it showed four people viewing it.

I bought the range of figures, moulds, centrifuge and stock. I did not make the figures. I think they were third hand. Not up to present day standards but they must be more than 30 years old now.

More photos will be posted as I can get them cleaned and repaired. You will probably know that as soon as you start dusting models bits start dropping off, especially aerials.

Mike

 

Humber or Morris Recce cars?

 

Trackfrower,

I have models of those but they are not Trux Models models. I have many hundreds of models tucked away. I cannot remember them all and have little idea where some of them are stored.

Mike

 

The Carriers.



All variants on the Trux Models carrier with weapons, wireless, stowage and 6pdr also from Trux.

Carrier MMG (Medium Machine Gun).
Carrier Universal MkII modified with brackets in offside of body for MMG and a mount on a reinforced engine cover to mount the gun.
Carrier Universal, Motor Battalion (Scout).
Carrier Universal MkII with minor changes to equipment, including 2" mortar mounting in front compartment.
Carrier, 3" Mortar.
Carrier Universal MkII with mountings at the rear to carry the mortar and ammunition stowage in the body.
Carrier Universal.
Standard Carrier Universal MkII used in infantry battalions.
Carrier Universal, 6pdr AT.
Carrier Universal MkII fitted with drawbar to tow 6pdr. Used in D Day assault formations in lieu of Loyd Carrier.
Carrier Universal COs Carrier.
Carrier Universal MkII with two wireless sets for use at battalion and company headquarters.
Carrier, Armoured Observation Post.
Carrier Universal MkII with large vision slit in front compartment to allow the use of binoculars. Also fittings for wireless sets and charging engine. Used by RA Forward Observation Officers.

Mike

 

I thought I had posted this list but I must have forgotten to press the button.

201a Austin 7 tourer 1930 model.
201b Austin 7 tourer 1932 model with wireless.
202a Austin 7 tourer 1934 model.
203a Austin 7 tourer 1935 model.
206a Light Tank MkVI. Early type.
230a Citroen 15CV Command and Patrol Car (1934-Algeria).
230b Citroen 15CV Staff Car 1933.
240a Barrage Balloon
280a Jeep with tilt and 10cwt lightweight trailer.

151a Somua MCG4 artillery tractor
151b Somua MCG4 artillery recovery tractor
151c Somua MCG5 artillery recovery tractor
151f Somua MCG4/5 tank recovery tractor
152a Somua MCG5 artillery caisson tractor
152b Somua MCG5 tank recovery tractor
153a Somua MCL6 tank recovery tractor
154a Laffley S35T 6 X 6 artillery tractor
155a 155mm GPFT gun, pneumatic tyres
156a Peugeot 402 staff car
157a Citroen Traction staff car
158a Studebaker 5tonne GS
160a Renault AGR2 3.5tonne GS
163a Laffley W15T 6 X 6 tractor
164a Lorraine 28 6 X 4 VDP
165a Laffley S20 porte cannon
165b Laffley S20 tanker
165c Laffley S20 colonial
165d Laffley S20 signals
166a Berliet GPLE 10tonne
167a Citroen 23 1.5tonne
167b Citroen 23 tipper
168a Gnome Rhone motorcycle with sidecar
169a 25mm gun
170a 20tonne tank transporter trailer
171a 30tonne tank transporter trailer
172a Schneider 155mm howitzer

190a Belgian T13 Type I
190b Belgian T13 Type III
191a Belgian T15 light tank
192a Belgian Brossel TAL tractor
193a Belgian tri bike

 

Two Rare Birds. (I would have said oiseau rare but I can't spell it).

230a Citroen 15CV Command and Patrol Car (1934-Algeria).
230b Citroen 15CV Staff Car 1933.



1933 version is a standard production model . 1934 is modified with insulation and water tanks on the running boards.

Mike

 

Two ten ton lorries.



Foreground: Leyland Hippo Mk II 10 ton 6 X 4 GS from Trux Models.
Behind: Albion CX24 10 ton 6 X 4 GS. Not Trux Models but a rare, limited production, not available commercially, model. Cast in one piece, completely solid, resin.

Mike

 

Two early Carriers (BEF 1940 period).



Foreground: Bren Carrier for Infantry Battalion.
Backgound: Scout Carrier for Divisional Reconnaissance Regiment.

I have got too close. The image on a standard screen is many times actual size. Look at those rivets.

Mike

 

Two Big Macks.



Foreground: Mack NM 6 X 6 as Medium Artillery Tractor. Used by British and Canadian artillery to tow 5.5" guns.
Background: Mack NM 10 ton 6 X 6. Ordered by Canadian Army as load carrier in armoured divisions. A rare bird in real life and even rarer as a model.

Mike

 

An even bigger Mack.



Mack NO 6 X 6. Heavy Artillery Tractor used to tow 155mm gun.

Mike

 

Two close Mack relatives.



Foreground Mack NR4 converted to Caravan. Cab/chassis ordered as 10ton GS load carriers, converted to Tank Transporter and later most (if in good enough condition) refitted with GS bodies. This one fitted with a captured Italian Caravan body for the use of Montgomery. It returned to UK with him from Italy as was refurbished for use in 21 Army Group. Fitted as sleeping caravan complete with en suite bathroom. The Trux Model had full internal detail but this example has the roof glued on.

Background a later Mack NR 14 10 ton 6 X 4 GS. This differed from the earlier NR4 in many minor respects the most obvious being the fitting of dual rear wheels and an open cab.

The British also used a Mack NR 9 10 ton. Trux made one but I have not found it.

Mike

 

Not WWII but very cute.



Austin 7s. But which is which?

Mike.

 

The sheer selection is startling, having had such issues tracking down good models in 15mm/ 1/100 scale it does make one rather jelly.

 

Swiper,

That is partly why I started Trux Models. Softskin models were very hard to find. I must point out that I did not make all the master models. Some of the best were the work of Martin Walster. The Mack NO and Austin 7s were his work.

Mike.

PS.
Several small scale, in all senses, model manufacturers started their business because they could not find what they wanted elsewhere. GHQ started that way. Few people started out in the business of model manufacture, most sort of fell into it like Alice down the rabbit hole. Verlinden set out with a plan but he was an exception.

 

For Trackfrower, but others may look if they wish.



Foreground: Humber Light Reconnaissance Car. MMS Model.
Background: Morris Light Reconnaissance Car. This from a well known photo of one used by a Forward Air Controller. Milicast model I think.

Mike

 

Excellent work Mike.

I have a couple of friend who own these vehicles.

The Humber is much more comfortable than the Morris (sorry Ian).

Cheers

Lawrence