Vietm Gun Trucks

[minigunner64th]

I totally agree with making a truck as authentic as possible, but these trucks were constantly changing and being updated. I remember how the Highland Animals and Mighty Minny were during my time on them but I know they were different before and after I served on them. So a replica may be correct for my time but not for someone else. Do your reseach and be as correct as you can for a particular time period. I wish I had the means to build one but it's just not going happen, but I would love a replica of either of my trucks even if they weren't completely correct. The main thing is BUILD A TRUCK, any truck.

 

[FtSill69]

In early 1968, a Warrant Officer assigned to Ft. Sill told me that he had served in 1967-68 in a Transportation Co. that ran convoys on Hiway 1. Due to ambushes, his unit put quad 50's in 5T's for convoy escort , front and rear. He didn't mention (or I have forgotten) gun trucks being named at that point in time. This has been fascinating to read about and see the pictures of the improvements in armor and amament of the gun trucks built since his tour. Thank you all so much for this historical recollection.

He also told about fabricated "pushin cushions" on the front and back of trucks. Is this
the same as the bumpers you have referred to or different?

He told about welding rectangular T1 plates into the 4 pockets on each side of the beds of
their gun trucks and mounting a Claymore in each pocket, all capped with wires running up to their clickers on a board that was controlled by who ever was riding shotgun in the cab. It was only to be used as a last resort. He said it was very effective on Mangyang Pass ambushes, except nobody could hear for 4 or 5 days afterward if they had to use them.
This field expedient must have not have impressed anyone else though, because I have never heard of it since.

 

[bulldawg]

Did he tell you the body count in the truck when they fired off the claymores? The reason I ask is that it is just as deadly to be behind one (being C4 and all). there for sure wouldn't be much truck left.

Just my opinion.

 

[FtSill69]

No, he didn't mention any FF casualties. He did say it beat up the sides and that it was hard to keep the T1 plates welded on. I didn't think to ask him
how thick the T1 plates were.

 

[FtSill69]

Bulldawg,
I relayed your well founded skepticism to one of my best friends who was a sp4 EOD technician RVN 1968-69. His opinion is that a 1/2" T1 steel plate welded into a 5T cargo bed pocket would probably be sufficient to reliably react the blast of a Claymore at least once, possibly several times, but is certain that the blast overpressure/concussion would not be a pleasant experience.

 

[bulldawg]

Good info there FtSill69. I have visions of being a bb in a paint bucket being shaken by one of those mechanical paint shakers at the paint store. LOL

 

[tree207]

Please, would you enthusiasts contact the National Dusters Quads Searchlights Association (Google it) Paul Kopsick is the association historian and has been amassjing official and private records, photos, recordings of the personnel and the equipment that we used and kept in service in Vietnam. He was a professional geologist and is becoming a very competent historian.

The annual re union is slated for San Antonio Texas this year.

There are many members who would be happy to assist you so that part of their history and experience and purpose will live on.

Paul's purpose is not just recording what happened but also locating action reports and reports of combat so that the veterans may be able toverify their war time stressors and exposures.

Lynn Wood SP/4 Btry E/41st Arty Motor Pool attached to 4/60th Battalion (Dusters) Motor Pool.

we had one bay in the battalion motor pool building - pretty much a pole barn structure with two sides left off with conex containers used for offices the doors being cut into the sheet metal of the back wall,

Thank you. Hope to see some of your work soon.

 

[oifvet]

This is a huge thread, and maybe this link and associated info is buried within. If not, here is a link from the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Ft. Eustis. The radio buttons will hook you up to some great Gun-Truck information and pics, especially if you click on, "Gun Truck Names!"

Again, if this has been covered, I apologise for being redundant.

Here's the link:

-> Motor Transport Corps

 

[Srjeeper]

The site tree207 mentioned is www.ndqsa.com and it has some powerful stories w/pics.

Thanks tree207 for bringing that one to our attention...

 

[Driver523]

I know its been quite awhile but I'll get back at it here---as I promised here's some photos of Brutis, In the second photo the mini guns are missing, they went in the middle--- Larry Dahl was awarded the MOH after sacraficing his life for his crew when a grenade was thrown into the truck---photo of that day is last---The Navy later named a ship after him--USS DAHL--------------Driver

 

[Driver523]

Here's a couple photos of Malfunction, This was my truck after I got off The Match Box, M-60 on each side---When I got it the name was Wild Thing, I changed it to Malfunction and when I left it was changed to Daughter of Darkness, standing beside her is Ugly Ranger of this site----it was a good ole truck---Driver

 

[jatonka]

Hey Driver, why don't you get the Jersey Crew to bring Malfunction out of the motorpool and back out in public!!!!! To the best of my knowledge, it's the only Beep around.
Jatonka (Aces & Eights, The Dead Man's Hand)

 

[Driver523]

I tried to talk em into bringing it to the Gathering this year to no avail but they are going to bring Satan's Lil Angel and Dave's M-38----comon down John--with or without that truck of yours, you'll have a grand ole time----and I think it is the only gun beep, and NO gun jeeps that I know of---Here's a few more pics from Roy Tipton album-1969----Driver---oh yeah--the motor pool shot is camp Addison, Cha Rang Valley

 

[Driver523]

here's just some randon photos, some trucks in better shape then others--unfortunately---------------------Driver

 

[Driver523]

Few more---the Wild Thing truck has been rebuilt as a replica and is Auburn Indiana---Driver

 

[Driver523]

Here's a few gun jeeps---well??? 1/4 ton trucks?????----well enjoy anyway----Driver

 

[Driver523]

Here's some more gun trucks---just random photos------Driver

 

[Driver523]

More random photos but checkout the APC trucks----heavy--heavy--heavy---Driver

 

[Driver523]

These photos are from the album of Butch Weston---First photo is Glory Stompers---Driver

 

[Driver523]

These next photos are from the album of Capt. Voightritter (Capt. V) He was our CO and was commander of the 523rd when Lt. Ugly Ranger took em north for operation Dewy Canyon (LamSon 719)----you might know the rest of the story------Capt. V was killed in a hunting mishap after returning home----Great Guy-----------Driver