Greetings y’all. Ok, so I’m a noob, and probably late to the party, but I just stumbled upon TM9-2010(1953) that covers the M45 quad .50 and it’s M35.
I think these were the original purpose built ADA units.
The manual is indispensable if you wish to super detail the AFV CLUB “Nancy”.
There are great images of every detail you might like to add: wiring and cabling.Solenoids and connections, bat wing mounting, gun sights, gunners controls, and seating. You can even learn how to aim the guns! (jk).
What I found most invaluable are the images of the framework that was bolted into the bed which, along with hold down bolts, secured the unit to the deck. There are also illustrations on how to install a hand crank winch to haul the guns up and into position. I’ve never seen that on an in-service vehicle, so I assume it was removed after use. There are also images of spare barrel racks, ammo storage and mounting brackets for the ramps used to load the M45 into the truck.
Surprisingly, the engine in the illustrations is neither the WWll type or the later Vietnam era type.
I downloaded the TM from Vietnam.net.pl . There is also a hard copy on eBay.
Does anyone know how the gunner accessed his position? Was the nose armor hinged, or did he climb over the guns? There’s no indication that the nose was hinged in the TM.
I hope some of you will find this helpful.My brother crewed quads, , dusters and searchlights.
Funny you should mention that. My uncle was a tail gunner on a B17, Maiden’s Prayer. Shot down over Germany. January, 1944. Spent 14 months in a luftstag. The crazy thing is that wasn’t his ship. He only subbed in.
Photo 1 looks like an M35, and two M34s. I didn’t know they were ever mounted on m34s. Aren’t they called "eager beavers? I saw a film of one operating under water. The last photo I don’t recognize at all.
Nancy is a great subject, there are a lot of great photos out there of the it while in service. Just note that there are several configurations from all the different units it served with so it’s best to pick one unit and research that version. There are several great threads here on the subject and how to make an accurate version. Here is the thread I had from my build earlier this year. https://forums.kitmaker.net/t/m35a1-nancy-gun-truck-build/56158
Now that TM sure is very informative, but if you note the issue date it will become obvious, that many things happened between that and Vietnam.
I think the most important change that was implemented on the Vietnam quads was the replacement of the power charger with more modern 2kW generator (1,5kW units were also used). Many quads also had a large box with lights and switches mounted above the top gunners seat mounting bar.
As that box also had a slave cable receptacle, I suspect (not sure about that) that the electrics were converted to 24V.
In theory you would unstrap the armor in front to let the gunner get in. But with large bat wings welded on this was not practical, so the gunner had to get in from the rear. To make it easier on some quads that large junction box was rotated and mounted longitudally.
And here’s a collage with different options… Top photos have the junction box mounted longitudally with a brace to the generator base - that sure makes getting in from the rear almost as easy as in the no box option:
The vehicle I’m hoping to build is Sgt Bob Luauver’s truck on the Truong Tien Bridge in support of Golf Co.2/5 Marines on Jan. 31, 1968. I believe the vehicle is one of the original ADA units that were already in the arsenal, as opposed to one built “in- country”. Any confirmed photos of that rig would be immensely helpful. I believe it’s from Battery G, 65th Artillery. My main concern now, after reading the info Gino provided, is which nose armor this particular vehicle might have had. How I will create the setting is still daunting, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
I haven’t seen any evidence of the M55 turrets being mounted on the M34 Deuce and half’s. Just a guess, but the M34s probably hauled extra ammo, personnel, and other support items.
Yes you are right. At first glance I noticed the 35, and the 2 34s. When I looked again I saw that the 34s were not armed, and as you say probably served in a support role.
