PMMS
Real Model
M35 2.5ton Gun Truck "Bad Dream"
Real Model set #RM 35110
Review by Terry Ashley

AFV ClubAFV Club

Realmodel has released this rather simple update to make the early Vietnam Gun Truck “Assassins” although it’s called “Bad Dreams” on the box top the actual name was “Assassins” which is painted on both sides of the armoured box with “Bad Dreams” simply painted on the rear plate as additional decoration.

“Assassins” was based on an M35A1 2 ½ton truck and the set is designed to be used with either the AFV Club M35A2 (kit #AF35004) but more appropriately the later M35A1 Gun Truck (kit #AF35034) as this has some of the modifications required already done for you and using the M35A2 will require you to backdate the kit to A1 standard.

The set has 42 parts in light green resin with 11 etched parts for the markings stencils and three pre-cut self adhesive stencils for the “Assassins” and “Bad Dreams” art work.

The quality of the resin casting is first class with clean crisp details and no air holes or other blemishes except for some minor excess resin around a couple of the ammo boxes on the inside of the armoured box. The two .50cal barrels are quite warped but shouldn’t be a problem to straighten up with some warm water.

The resin parts have the usual casting blocks to be removed which is very straightforward but the large armoured box has a hefty casting block on the bottom which will take a bit of effort to remove, using a large razor saw would be the best and cleanest method.

The armoured box which forms the basis for the conversion is cast perfectly square from all angles and the sides perfectly straight with the bottom covered with .50cal ammo boxes and a wooden equipment box plus the two side mounting posts for the .50cal machine guns provided. Once the large casting block is removed the box is a perfect fit inside the AFV Club truck tray meaning there are no alterations required to fit the box. The two cab side armoured door covers are provided and these are also cast perfectly straight and simple fit into place against the cab doors.

The weapons included are the two .50cal MGs as mentioned and the guns are very nicely detailed with the mounting cradle included plus separate firing handles and the ammo boxes have the mounting bracket and upper clips superbly detailed with the cooling holes in the forward jacket have excellent definition with only the barrels being badly warped on both guns. These can be straightened by dipping in warm water but if you use the AFV Club gun truck kit as a basis you could use two of the barrels from the .50cal quad mounting included in the kit.

Also included is a nicely detailed M60GPMG with a separate mounting post to fit at the front of the box plus the aerial mount on the front right corner with the rest of the equipment being a selection of bedrolls, separate ammo boxes, a radio, some water bottles and other typical Vietnam type containers.

While the weapon fit is the two .50cals and one M60, there are photos of “Assassins” with two M60s and a single .50cal so you are free to fit whatever weapon mix you desire really.

For the markings there is a small etched fret by Eduard with stencils for the hood star, the front bumper codes, the US ARMY and bumper codes for the small rear bumpers although these will be quite tricky to use as there is not a lot of room to attach the stencil while the markings are airbrushed on.

An interesting note on “Assassins” is that a photo can be found on “The Hard Ride” book showing the armoured box fitted to a new M35A2 with bumper codes 125 instead of the 13 for the earlier M35A1, this would allow you to use the AFV Club kit #AF35004 virtually as is for the conversion by replacing the bumper codes and the vehicle serial number.

To add the “Assassins” and “Bad Dreams” art work there are pre-cut self adhesive stencils provided with separate stencils for white and red sections of “Assassins” on both sides as well as for the white and blue sections for “Bad Dreams” and another two stencils for the lightening bolts. These will make airbrushing the artwork easier but you must allow the white paint to dry completely before adding the stencils for the inner colours which may be a little tricky to line up correctly but patience and care should see the job done okay.

Conclusion:
This is a rather basic conversion with no alterations needed on the donor kit if you use the AFV Club kit #35034 as a basis with the most work required applying the stencils and airbrushing the markings and artwork.

Recommended for gun truck fans to add another vehicle to the stable with a minimum of effort.


Etched stencils
Real Model
Resin parts
Real Model
Real Model
View of rear armoured box
Real Model
The resin armored box is a perfect fit into the AFV Club M35 rear tray
Real ModelReal Model

References:
book The Hard Ride
Vietnam Gun Trucks

By James Lyles

ISBN 971-93037-1-9
80 pages colour and B&W with text.
Squadron Gun Trucks
Vietnam Studies Series
Squadron Signal Publications No. 6071

By Timothy J. Kutta.
ISBN 0-89747-359-0

Thanks to Miloslav from Real Model for the review sample.


Page created June 2, 2006

Click Browsers BACK button to return to list
Home / Reviews / Vehicle Reviews / Real Model