Trux Models. 1990 to 2005.

Owen,

If you are still there see what you have started. This was only passing notion as a result of a twinge of nostalgia.

Mike.

 

These are two pages from a booklet on Command Vehicles. It covers 29 types of Armoured Command Vehicle and Lorry Command Vehicle.

If I remember correctly (and I probably do not) there were booklets on
Command Vehicles.
Wireless Vehicles.
Recovery vehicles.
All CMP vehicles, and there was a huge number of them.
6 X 4 vehicles.
Bridges and bridging vehicles.



Mike

As you can see these were produced in the days when cut and paste meant scissors and a Prit Stick.

 

Mike,

Do you still have any pictures or the model of the M14 Command Halftrack?

There is very little information or decent pictures available.

Thanks in anticipation

Lawrence

 

Lawrence,

I am sure that I can find the model, a plan drawing and a description. It may take a while. It depends on what emerges from the cupboards and in what condition. The model will be 20 years old and will not have seen daylight for some years.

It is a bit difficult to do 'requests' as I do not know what I have, or where it might be, in the cupboards. As for the attic...! Boxes and boxfiles have lain undisturbed for years. We need an archaeologist not a historian.

Mike

 

Michel,

I gave only a brief reply last night, having returned from my regular meal and orchestral concert. Edwardian Elgar in the magnificent Victorian Leeds Town Hall. It does not get much better. However for the best in publishing one must look to France. Although often expensive I have many superb books on vehicles and uniforms written by Frenchmen and published by French publishing houses.

I cannot help but note that you have a superb command of English combined with Gallic flair and that certain 'je ne sais quoi'. Very persuasive too, but I already have the lifestyle to which I aspire and more than enough income to support it.

When I some time soon post my take on 'Gold' I shall have time perhaps to return to vehicles. I think an occasional series of posts here rather than a monumental 'Magnum Opus'. However 'from little acorns great oaks do grow' and projects do tend to gather momentum.

Do you get your presents on Epiphany? If so I hope you get what you would wish for.

Mike

 

Lawrence,

Quicker than I thought. The M14 is not painted gloss it is still slightly damp from having its dust and mildew removed.





Mike.

I am now returning to tidying my cupboards.

 

Excellent.

Thanks Mike

 

CMP Gar Wood Wrecker.



Mike

 

Thanks Mike, I now understand that "Gar Wood" is another of the defunct myriads of manufacturers who flourished throughout Europe during the interwar period.

As for a "Magnum Opus", can't say I haven't tried

I have to agree with you that there are some great publications here. The Armes & Collections series on French vehicles of the thirties and forties is truly magnificent, and I'm sure they would consider very favourably a new (bilingual?) series dedicated to their British equivalents...

In the meantime we'll have to feed on these nevertheless very much appreciated bits and crumbles, hoping that when your cupboards are sorted out you then tackle your attic and the other buried treasures it doubtless contains. Who knows, perhaps the complete series of your booklets is lying there, just waiting for your scanner to bring them back to life

I already got all I wished for at Christmas, but these unexpected posts are a welcome surprise, starting off this new year in a promising way!

Michel

 

What an awful pity. I made quite a few Brit truck models following dear old RAF Vehicles Atifix Guide plus others, but this was before you started your own range. In the meantime I had to stop modelling as I started working as a professional modeller doing chemical plants and others, and after gluing plastic all day I couldn't go home and glue more plastic!

In any case it is a pity because your list contain some very juicy subjects! I don't know what is it I have with military trucks, I've never been in the Services and the biggest I did drive was a 2 tonner, go figure the human mind

But what matters is that your endeavour gave pleasure to you and to your buyers. Great stories to be told, I'd wager (hint, hint!)

 

Ah, the Airfix Guides and the Airfix Annual. Gerald Scarborough showing how to convert the one or two available kits into a number of variants. You had to convert and detail your own models. There was also a lack of reference material, unlike today when you can Google anything any time.

That all changed when Milicast produced a wide range of models in resin. At first they were not detailed and were cast in very brittle resin. You added your own detail. Milicast changed hands around 1990 and I see it is up for sale as a going concern again at the moment. (They are very good now).

Enough nostalgia. Back to the bright new 2015.

Mike

 

Isn't all this circus about nostalgia? So kindly allow me to pile it on

Brave old Scarborough, he tought me how to make proper models with his articles in Aitfix Magazine in the late 60s, early 70s. I danced with joy with some prize I won with a scratchbuilt Vickers Mk.VI from a design of his when dinosaurs ruled the earth!

 

I never won a prize. Sob. Sob.

Mike

 

Certainly not for spelling...

 

Keep the pics coming Mike, recently I build your FWD SU from my stash, and there are several more TRUX in there.
take care
TED

 

Ted,

You are welcome to join in. We would love to see some of your models.

Mike

 

Idler,

Very droll. It is true that I nevr cud speel veery well. I learnt to read before starting school at the age of four. I was told that I would be going to school where they would teach me to write. By lunch time I still could not write so rather gave up on it.

Mike

 

The halftracks.
M14 Command.
M14 with tilt.
M14 personnel. A unit general purpose vehicle rather than personnel carrier.
M5 personnel carrier.
M14 ammunition carrier. For SP 25pdr.
M9 AT tractor with winch plus 17pdr and limber. The 17pdr is not Trux.
M5 Wireless. 2 X 19 set.
M9 as personnel carrier.
M14 Command/signals. One off for 7 Armoured Division.
M5 Ambulance.
M5 Fitters with winch.

Mike.

 

Halftrack M5.

The Halftrack M5 was a version of the standard US M3 produced for Lend Lease. Built by International they were similar to the M3 but had an International engine and flat section mudguards. When fitted with the armoured AA mount they became M5A1.

The photograph.
In the foreground is the standard M5A1 in its standard personnel carrier role. In British service it was Truck, 15cwt, Halftracked, Personnel. There were seats for 13 men if one counts the occasional seat next to the driver. In British service they normally carried 8 (mine has 10 for some reason). The racks along the side were intended for carrying mines but were generally used for stowing kit. Major use was in Motor Battalions.

In the centre is an M5 modified to RAMC specification as a ambulance. The nearside fuel tank has been moved to the offside to make room for two stretchers. The offside retains its seats for walking wounded. A tilt was normally fitted. They were used in armoured formations.

At the back is an M5A1 fitted out as Wireless 19/19HP. The nearside seats have been removed and a 19 set and a 19 High Power set installed. Generally used by Royal Signals attached to armoured formations, they were also used in a variety of roles requiring mobility.

M5s could be fitted with a winch but these were normally reserved for fitters. These did not officially have any special modifications but fitters were quite capable of modifying them and making them more comfortable.



Same vehicles. Different order.


Mike