Nosed and decked US Army Deuce-and-a-Half

[Foxer]

I thought some, especially those with military experience, might get a kick out of an official US Army “custom” M35 truck. I spent ’67-’68 in Germany as a Pershing Missile Erector-Launcher operator and all our vehicles were trimmed out very different from your run of the mill Army vehicle. This model shows all the marking they had … black stars on the doors and hood with no US ARMY or vehicle identification number. On the bumpers, they had a one or two digit number and a battery (company) specific colored circle . We also painted the wheel hubs with our battery color, but this was not in the ”official” paint scheme. In effect, these were “nosed and decked” Army trucks with all identification removed. Everything else at the time had white stars and white US ARMY and long ID numbers on the hood sides and bumpers. These numbers were in effect the license plates.

Since the Pershing Missile was the Army’s largest nuclear warhead delivery system, they were not interested I advertising their wares, although being the most unusually marked Army vehicles, it’s hard to cite that as the reason for making these “unmarked customs. At any rate, it was extremely gratifying to wheel around other Army bases in these hot paint schemes. More than once when in convoys away from our prime base, we were stopped by animated MP’s demanding to know who we were. We were only allowed to give name, rank and serial number … along with our 84th Artillery designation. It was the attending officer’s job to ream the MP’s up one side and down the other for “interfering with and questioning official Army business!” What great Army fun!!

This build up does look quite pristine, but let me warn the attending military modelers that this was always the condition, except when out in the middle forests when the missiles were on standby. The first moth after returning from the field was spent chipping the caked mud off with Trim Tro’s (small manicure sets with file and knife available at the PX) and sanding and painting any serious scratches. The trucks were repainted when they displayed any bad karma and washed daily. The big challenge was to locate a “different” shade of olive drab to make your truck unique. LoL

This is an old build and apparently needs a fender light replacement and some axle straightening. I only meant this post to illustrate a story, but feel free to have you way with with this old build.

This is how these trucks were painted in every other Army unit at the time for comparison.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Foxer

[LDO]

I find it amazing that the Army would put what is just about the most non-tactical color out there on tactical vehicles. I was in Germany from 1996-2000 as an M1A1 tanker. We had a guy who painted white shark's teeth on a mine plow once. The paint was barely dry before he was ordered to paint over it.

But hey- cool job on the truck. Must have been nice not having that white paint on your truck.

Edited July 30, 2010 by LDO

[Romell R]

Thats a nice build , but im gonna throw just a little constructive critisism at you. 1st.I noticed two wheels off the ground this makes the truck seem light in weight.(looks like it gonna float away) I always suggest if you cant get all wheels to be square on the ground, then place the model on a stand where you can manipulate the terrain like put rocks under the wheels that way it looks as though the suspension is working on the build. 2nd flatten those tires out a bit on the bottom with a file this also give the model the allusion of weight. dont get me wrong this is a good build that can be improved on.

[Foxer]

Those are very creative ideas to correct the wheels! The truck actually does sit flat but I surmise the rear was up a bit on my curved background sheet and lifted them. I'm glad I left it and got some great ideas to fix that common problem.

[Foxer]

I find it amazing that the Army would put what is just about the most non-tactical color out there on tactical vehicles.

Our battalion commander was really anal about the uniqueness of out unit and "looks" was everything to him. Need I say cobblestone roads are nasty to sweep everyday. I'm pretty sure the red, and blue, yellow or white on other Batterys, was unique to our Battalion as I never saw any color like that in the other two Pershing Battalions.

The absence of identification numbers was US Army from above dictated though.

Edited July 31, 2010 by Foxer

[Agent G]

During the 60's and 70's Marine Corps policy, (at Camp Pendleton) was to wash and wax all vehicles after leaving the field.

My brother was Motor Transport, boy did he ever gripe. I was a machine gunner, I'd just laugh...........

I love the build, I just wish I had photos or enough memory to replicate some of the vehicles I rode in.

Photos went bye bye with ex wife #2.

G

Edited July 31, 2010 by AgentG

[Chuck Most]

I always find it funny when I see military guys in green uniforms... in the desert, and tan uniforms... in the jungle. What's the point of camo if you aren't going to utilize it?

Anyway, I love this truck! I've yet to enter into the military modeling fray. They're one of my favorite modeling subjects to look at, though, and this one is very cool!

[Agent G]

I always find it funny when I see military guys in green uniforms... in the desert, and tan uniforms... in the jungle. What's the point of camo if you aren't going to utilize it?

Anyway, I love this truck! I've yet to enter into the military modeling fray. They're one of my favorite modeling subjects to look at, though, and this one is very cool!

In my particular situation we rotated over and received the first jungle pattern utilities after returning.

I later wore the old green sateens while TDY to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Our Gunny absolutely detested the jungle camo.

Finally go back to Pendleton where I can wear the camo, get sent to 29 Palms Ca. for desert warfare training. There was no such thing as desert cammie back then, so it was jungles or the heavy greens.

Life with Mother Green, always an adventure

G