AFV Club 1/35 M51A2 Gun Truck "Peace Maker" Major Problems

[Warren D]

***There are major problems with this kit.  I finished the chassis last night and went to fit the dump body and noticed that the frame rails are too long.  Further investigation shows that the instructions included in the kit are for the M54 Cargo truck version which uses the longer frame rails on sprue A even though shorter rails are included in the kit on sprue S.  The extra length appears to be behind the axles but the fuel tank and battery box locations are also wrong as they are too far forward.  I'm still investigating for other conflicts but this build is all but over for now.  I've been able to shorten the chassis by removing the overhang at the rear but not sure I can remove the fuel tanks and battery boxes without destroying the frame rails.  I will be looking to contact AFV Club later this morning, they will need to revise the instructions.  They need to use the instructions for the dump truck chassis not the cargo truck.***

Recently, I started getting back into the 'Nam gun trucks.  I'm finishing off one I started 15 years ago and then this new one popped up.  AFV Club does it's usual fine job, lots of detail (maybe too much as the parts are getting very small!) This is based on a M51A2 5 ton dump truck (the more common M54 gun trucks were converted cargo trucks).  At the end of this build I'll be listing the errata in the instructions, there have been a few errors I've found so far.  I started with the dump body and gun box which went together well, working on the chassis next.  I build in large sub-units, basically everything that I can paint as a unit.

Edited April 30 by Warren D

[mustang1989]

I'll be all over this build like a "rat on a cheeto"! Looking very much forward to seeing this build in action Warren. 

[Warren D]

I hope to do it justice.  Looks like a brand new kit.  I got mine from the auction site, came from Taiwan.  I have a few more GT's in the stash and will be working on them as time allows.  Coming up are: Wolfman (M151), Black Widow, Satan's Little Angel, Bounty Hunter (M54 w/quad 50's), Nancy, Untouchable, Eve of Destruction and an M-37 version that may be of my own tribute M-37 GT.  There may also be a deuce and a half (name TBD).

[Warren D]

Here's what I know as of now.  The instructions provided with this kit (35351) show how to build the chassis for the cargo truck.  I downloaded the instructions for the plain M51 dump truck and it shows how to build the chassis using the short frame rails on parts tree "S".  I have also found that the fuel tank and battery box locations are different as well as the front axle on the short frame is set back from that on the longer frame.  This means that no matter what else I do, the front axle isn't going to look right.  I've tried to contact AFV Club and will wait for their answer; I'll need 5 trees worth of chassis parts to start over.  As of now, I've got a $100 box of parts.......

If you want this kit, download the M51 dump truck instructions and follow them for the chassis, then jump over to the gun truck instructions for the rest (at least until they correct things which could take a while).

The following is a list of errors in the instructions provided with the kit:  Numbers are the same as the numbers on the instruction sheet,

1. Use frame rails from S tree, not A1 and A2.

3. Do not glue B13, let them pivot until the axles are in place.

5. Use drive shaft A12, not S22 (though this may change with the shorter frame, I still think the A12 will be the correct length)

27.  Do not install R30 at this time, wait until it shows again in step 29.

32. Locations for parts S39 and S40 are reversed, the larger S40 goes on the inside, the smaller S39 goes on the outside.

35.  When assembling the gun box, use solvent glue and install in the dump body before it cures.  There are small locating holes on the front of the gun box that nest in the pins on the inside of the headache rack supports and once the gun box is rigid, there isn't enough give to get the box secured in the dump body.

[Warren D]

Update, AFV Club is now aware of this issue and they should be sending me replacement parts. 

[ksnow]

Looking forward to how this build progresses.

Really happy to hear AFV is sending you the new parts, hopefully they fix their instructions.

[Warren D]

Well, they did to a degree, put a post on their FB page saying to use the S rails.  Not sure if they understand, but the crossmember locations are different and there is an extra one on the M54 that is missing on the M51.  I've sent notice to AFV Club, AFV Hobby and the USA importer as well as add info to their FB page/thread so I think I've done as much as I can and maybe more than I needed to.  I also posted the info on Armorama which specializes in military models.  Oh well, I know what I need to do...hopefully others can figure it out.  I have a regular M51 dump kit coming and will use that kit to make the chassis for this build.  In the event they don't send me the replacement parts, I should be able to use what I have to make a decent dump truck (the only issue will be the front axle about 4mm too far forward).

[mustang1989]

Jeez......you've had your fair share of issues with this build already BUT.......looks like you are on the road to victory with it Warren. Such a cool build thread. 

[Warren D]

My own fault for being an early adopter (aka beta tester).  I hope the replacement parts show up, I haven't heard anything in 5 days (they said it would be 1 or 2).  I have a plan B, I ordered the straight M51 dump truck kit.  I'll pull the chassis from that for this build and if I have to, I can use the butchered chassis from this build for the dump truck.  The only thing I can't fix is the front axle so the dump truck would have the axle sitting a little forward of where it should be.  Either way, this one should turn out ok, I'm already working on the paint mix.

[mustang1989]

Sounds like you've got a good plan in moving forward. Plus....when the extra parts show up you'll have spares. 

[Warren D]

The non-GT M51 dump truck showed up yesterday afternoon.  The chassis is mostly together, enough so that you can see the difference between the long chassis rails the instructions call for and the correct, shorter rails that are for the dump truck.  In the photo, the long rails (A1/A2) are on the top and just removing 15mm from the back clearly won't make it work.  With the rear axles lined up, you can now see that the rear cab mount is too far forward as is the front body mount and front axle.  Building this way leaves too much space between the back of cab and front of dump body/gun box.  I received word today that the replacement parts are in and will be shipping out to me in the next few days.  I'll continue using the borrowed parts from the straight dump truck kit to complete the gun truck build. 

[Warren D]

The underside of the cab will need some material removed as shown to allow for the steering gear.  Otherwise the conflict will prevent the cab from sitting correctly on the frame.  Took me more than a few minutes to figure out where the conflict was....

[Warren D]

Progress mock up, almost ready for paint.

[Warren D]

As the instructions suggested, I mixed OD and black 50/50.  This is the 4th try and the final, gloss went on this morning for the decals.

[ksnow]

Nice work on this truck.

Could you save the too long chassis by sectioning the frame rails and drive shaft where the ellipses are in this pic?

 

[Warren D]

1 hour ago, ksnow said:

Nice work on this truck.

Could you save the too long chassis by sectioning the frame rails and drive shaft where the ellipses are in this pic?

 

Yes, when I got to looking at the pic I could shorten the frame and use a kit supplied shorter driveshaft.  I have replacement parts coming so this one will likely end up in the spares bin.  If I hadn't chopped the end off, I'd have a usable M54 frame......hindsight is always 20/20!!!

[ksnow]

3 minutes ago, Warren D said:

Yes, when I got to looking at the pic I could shorten the frame and use a kit supplied shorter driveshaft.  I have replacement parts coming so this one will likely end up in the spares bin.  If I hadn't chopped the end off, I'd have a usable M54 frame......hindsight is always 20/20!!!

I am sure there was more than one chopped/sectioned/welded back together frame in the field under these trucks.

[Warren D]

3 hours ago, ksnow said:

I am sure there was more than one chopped/sectioned/welded back together frame in the field under these trucks.

I'm not so sure.  At least where the gun trucks are concerned, they re-used the armor boxes when the truck they were on was totaled.  I think there was an ample supply of vehicles, unlike WW2, so a bent frame was tossed.  Yes, they would strip off the axles and any usable parts but I don't think they had a need to re-use everything.

[ksnow]

That does make sense. 

[Warren D]

I'm getting an introduction to the AFV Club decals and it isn't fun.  It's seeming like they readily adhere to the location they are placed in and resist being slid into a final position.  I've been trying to put some water underneath but that hasn't worked out too well.  Decal solvent doesn't seem to soften them any but does seem to adversely affect the Tamiya clear gloss.  Almost done, just 4 more to go......

[Warren D]

The replacement parts arrived today, thanks to AFV Club for standing behind their products.