Sounds interesting. Do you have a link as I can’t find anything on it?
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The only thing I have is a Facebook page called Vietnam war armor modellers special interest group and his name on the posts. I have sent a message asking if they will be available and cost. No reply yet. It seems to be an in progress post.
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Smooze customs has an Ebay site, not a lot showing. They replied a possible $35 or so possible price range, but not ready for sale yet.
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Look what I just ran across on eBay, by the_swoose. Set includes: x1 headboard, x2 sides, x1 tailgate, x2 reflectors for headboard, x1 exhaust, x1 air cleaner intake, x1 storage bin, x1 mud flap. It looks pretty nice.
One ordered. I may have to rework “Easy Rider” now.
1/35 M54A1 Conversion for AFV Club US M54A2 5-Ton 6x6 Cargo Truck Vietnam Gun | eBay
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Yeah, this is the set I had seen and mentioned earlier. Didn’t hear that he was selling them yet. Wayne
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That looks outstanding Gino. What a great set.
The answer is now a resounding Yes!
Easy Rider has gone into the maintenance shop to prep it for backdating. From pics I can find, I believe it was an M52A1. The A1 had the earlier bed, open air intake, and a straight exhaust coming out below the fender.
So far, I have removed the exhaust stack, filled the hole in the fender, and replaced the angled mirror supports with straight ones. I have also removed the additional air cleaner on the intake and reverted back to the open intake pipe, which is also included in the AFV Club kit.
I also popped out the armored box in the bed, removed the sides and front plates, sanded the bed smooth, and cut and sanded all the hinges off the lower sides of the bed. It is now ready to receive the 3D printed A1/A2 bed without drop-sides.
I also ordered another set of the Star decals to replace ones on the bed sides.
More updates after I get the bed parts.
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I read this topic with great interrest !!!
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Just ordered one of these sets. They look pretty nice.
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Thanks gents. Yes, the parts looks great. I can’t wait to get them and add them to the truck.
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Hi Gino,
This is great news on your work to backdate and accurize Easy Rider to the M54A1 configuration. It is not an easy task after all the effort you put in the original cargo box. You will probably be the first on the block to utilize the Swoose Customs 3D printed cargo box conversion. I will be following intently as to your observations of how this conversion measures up and assembles. This is a much needed conversion since many Vietnam guntrucks were based on the M54A1.
I also have ordered this conversion set for evaluation and possible use. In the past I have built the M54A1 cargo box from Evergreen styrene shapes using the Italeri M925 cargo bed floor as a base.
Since you are going this far, you might want to consider also updating the quad 50 turret armor shape to the M45C profile as demonstrated by Guntrucker James Lyles. With new Easy Rider decals you have ordered, this quad 50 guntruck will be very historically accurate.
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Great job. Your cargo bed came out very nicely. Not sure I will update the quad armor. I don’t want to tear it down any further.
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Here is the 3D printed cargo bed backdate in place. The parts are awesome. They only took a light sanding where the supports attached to clean them up. No Issue adding the parts to the kit either. They fit perfectly.
Here it is with the proper bed.
Even the slots for the canvas bows are hollowed out.
I highly recommend this set. I may have to get another for a future build.
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That looks pretty darn good, Gino. I am going to have to get one of those truck bed conversion kits.
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Thanks James. It is a really nice set and looks great.
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