I am calling this one done.
I completed the interior by adding and wiring up the Series 46 radios, speaker box, and handset.
I also added personal gear, MREs, a water jug, and some other items inside.
The M16A1 is one of the 3D printed ones from Mike Goldberg. It even has the camo vehicle log book w/HQ 3 written on the front.
Some details through the door/window. I also added the chain used to secure the steering wheel.
I marked it as the S3 (Training Officer) truck from 3-82 FA, 1st Cav Div from the mid-'80s. I made the decals on my home computer/printer using printer decal paper and PPT. for the graphics.
Here it is overall. Unfortunately, once its all closed up, you canât really see anything in the rear seat area.
Here it is with a figure to see the size comparison. I think he fits perfectly.
I am really happy with how it turned out. With a little tlc, elbow grease, and 3D printed parts, you should be able to turn just about any die-cast vehicle into a real gem.
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Very nice finish. All your added details and custom decals really brought it to life
Outstanding overall build and spectacular detailing Gino! Those radios are superb. This whole project is just right on the money. Great conversion.
Very well done! Good job on it.
This brings back some nice memories, when my hometown was full of HQ units during Reforger exercises.
Happy new year!
Andreas
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Thatâs a beaut! Great detailing.
This makes me wannaâ browse the die cast isle in the Walmart to see what theyâve got.
Very, very nice!
That hideous burgundy interior color always struck me as some kind of âtheft deterrentâ measure! Only the poor tax-payers would ever buy a fleet of vehicles with that interior. LOL!
I do so vividly remember busting out the rear window of my company SGMâs CUCV on a winter training exercise. It was colder than a witchâs kootie, and I just barely tapped the glass with a pair of skis that I was leaning up against the back end. The window quite literally exploded into a bucket full of safety glass bits and pieces.
He was not amused⌠It was a TMP vehicle, though, so the Smag swiped the CO / XOâs truck and drove the CO around for the rest of the trip. As for me? Of course, I wound up driving the XO around and had to listen to him cry like a rat eating onions about the cold blowing in from the back. But hey, what are TMP vehicles for if not being abused?!
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That CUCV brings so many memories of many an FTX at Stewart in the early 90s. Driving to and from the ranges while my company was lobbing TOWs downrange.
Thanks gents. It was a fun and rewarding build.
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'Just how I remember seeing them, on exercise and in Bosnia. Excellent build and finish - thanks for the tips and info.
Thanks Boots. Glad it brought back some memories.
Excellent work Gino.
The last time I drove one of these I was with HHB 1/102FA, MA-NG out of Quincy.
We had just been formed from three other NG units and all we had were these CUCVâs. We were driving down to Camp Edwards when the drive shaft came apart. We removed what was left of the shaft, plugged the hole in the back of the transfer case with a Dunkin Donuts coffee cup and a half roll of 100mph tape, threw it in 4HI and drove back to the armory.
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Thanks Jeff. Great story. They were pretty tough trucks.
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Great JOB! I am starting a build on the new Revell Jim Hopperâs '85 Chevy K5 Blazer. I am going to build it as an M1009 that I rode and drove in the Army. One point, I never saw the whip tied to the brush guard. It was always tied rear ward to the bumper so you wouldnât break it if you hit something, like a tree limb. If the whip was mounted to the rear of the quarter panel then there was a tied down added to the space between the hood and the fender. This kept the antenna low to avoid obstacles.
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Thanks. Good luck with yours. Be sure to show pics.
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Welcome to the forum! Always good to have firsthand knowledge available.
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Wish someone would make a new one.
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I saw one at a contest a few years ago. Miniman I believe. So theyâre out there.
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I had one and traded it to Gino. I think Miniman Factory went out of business.
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Not sure it was me. I had the Miniman Factory M1008 CUCV pickup at one time but sold it. I donât think I had the M1009 Blazer or I would have built it as opposed to converting a die-cast metal one.
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