Armored Jeeps

[historyfanatics]

I have been giving this some thought, and decided it might be kind of fun to do. After i finish The Widow Maker, of course.

Anyways, I have contemplating building an armored jeep based on the M151's from Vietnam.

Anybody have any experience with these?

Thoughts? Comments?

Right now, it's just an idea. I need to build another M151-series for a separate project related to The Widow Maker. I figured I'd go ahead and get two out of the way.

 

[wreckerman893]

Papa Bear has a gun jeep.

Can't find a pic right now.

 

[73m819]

Papa Bear has a gun jeep.

Can't find a pic right now.

His more of a FAV

 

[papabear]

Actually, the Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) belongs to Troy.

I think this pic is the type of jeep being sought.

This Gunjeep will be at the Gathering in Louisville, KY I think.

 

[73m819]

what pic ????

 

[papabear]

ooops :

 

[WarrenD]

There are several pictured in James Lyles' Book Hard Ride Vol 2 and more supposedly coming later this year in Vol 3.
I've had a few folks ask if I had considered doing one when I talked about doing a M37 GT. If you're determined to use a 50Cal, think again, the pedestal mounts on the M151's couldn't take the stress of the 50, at least from what I've read. They were tried, but the 151 needs to have the floor reinforced.

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Warren. Let me clarify your statement. A m151 pedestal will take a m2hb on the stock m4 mount. Where the problem is that the gun jeeps did not use the stock military pedestal. Most mounts used in Vietnam were just pieces of pipe welded to the floor in the back. So to do the mount proper. The floor needs a good plate to be attached to. Another bonus was added protection from the bottom for the guy on the gun.

 

[historyfanatics]

Thanks, guys. And, thanks for the pic.

That's kind of what I was thinking of in building. Maybe also going with the armored windshield.

Right now, it's still in the planning stages.

I wasn't planning on putting a .50 on it. Just an M60 or two. My experience with the .50 is that they are rather unwieldy when fired over the side. I had thought about maybe putting a crank-model 40mm grenade launcher, just to be different. I have some good photos showing those on several jeeps.

 

[73m819]

The gun jeeps I saw in country had most of the time a single 60, a few double side by side (gi build) 60s, only saw one 30, and never a 50, now that was about 45 years ago, now my memory is not what used to be, like can't remember what my wife asked me to do