It has but one function in life:
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Intended for use with HIMARS , MLRS or both ?
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Either. Problrm is, that is a one off crane. Can’t be kitbashed.
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Argh ! Why would they do that to us ?
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The vehicle is a US Army M1083 HIMARS Resupply Vehicle (HRV) and pulls an M1095 trailer. Sure, it can carry, lift, and drop a pod for any system, but it is intended to be used with the M142 HIMARS.
The USMC has its own version on a MK23 truck chassis.
M270 MLRS units use M1120 LHS HEMTTs and M1076 Flatrack Trailer with 4 pods loaded on each flatrack. This is due to the higher volume of fire that an M270 can put out since it has a dual pod launcher. The flatrack can quickly be used to lay down multiple rocket pods and them recover them quickly.
Prior to the M1120 LHS ammo carrier, M270 units used M985 HEMTT MLRS Ammo Trucks. The bed had special tie-downs and holders for the pod feet. The M985 was paired with a specifically designed M989 HEMAT trailer.
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Once again, what the Army intends more often than not gives way to expediency and availability. I merely pass on info relayed to me by my contacts at Ft. Sill. One has to remember though, it is a training environment here. If the crane were available in kit form my walk around would be quite useful. As it is, I doubt any major players are going to bite.
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Because they don´t like modellers? 
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Trumpeter did a bad job on the HIMARS and even worse on the FMTV trucks.
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Which is the of the reasons I no longer take anything to them.
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I only hope they use my HEMTT A2/A4 photos better.
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I gave Trumpeter in 2013 good pics and even a drawing of the M777. Hmmmm… maybe the sales numbers of their M198 kit wouldn´t warrant another modern 155mm gun kit?
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You mean the M983A4? I pmiped out those same two, with no success. We’re stuck with the 3D printed Triple Seven for now.
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I think it is doable. The lower part (red circle) looks close to the crane on an IDF Fitter. You would need to scratch the upper parts (blue circle) from styrene square stock. The base looks like it could be modified from a HEMTT crane.
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Possible. But to me “kitbash” is more or less combining elements of two kits. Once major scratchbuilding comes into play, it’s a scratch build, even if other components can be used.
I’m looking at my other photos, and this is not something I’d want to attempt. Actually, I have little interest in it anyway, but it was there, not part of my main agenda. Like the Camel, which I’d think has a better likelihood of finding its way into a kit. Especially since the chassis is more or less available.
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Hi Rob I gave them M977A4 pics that I took a few years ago at the MUNA Museum. They also have my Oshkosh factory plans on M977 and M978. As for Camel trailer I build one from scratch, purchasing sprues from Trumpeter directly.
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I knew it could be done. Can we see it in another thread?
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The medium cranes used on later FMYV A1P2 trucks were HIAB knuckle boom cranes. They were not one-off cranes. They were quite an advancement over the older cranes.
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Does anybody have any extra pods for the MLRS/HIMARS that they do not want?
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Somedays yes.
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