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DODGE M37 GUN TRUCK (VIETNAM)

This is the second variation on the rugged and reliable Dodge M37 I have posted on the workshop.

The Dodge M37 was the successor to the famous WC family of 3/4 ton general purpose cargo trucks used during WW2. Entering service at the beginning of the Korean War era, they served the US and Canadian militaries for decades before popping up in the inventories of military forces all over the world.

Though nearing the end of their service lives in USinventory, a handful of aging M37's were converted into armored convoy escort vehicles in Vietnam. This typically involved placing an armored box into the bed of the truck capable of housing a wide array of weapon mounts, ammunition and radios, removing the side window glass and armoring the window cavity within the door and extending the armor protection up over the window openings. The windshields were covered with armor plate. Invariably the trucks were painted black, this one in particular being a representative of the 8th Transportation Group with the distinctive yellow paint on the leading edge of the hood. The markings on the side of the gun box carried on in the same tradition as aircraft nose art, with many gun trucks of all types sporting distinctive names such as Wild Honey, Malfunction, Godzilla, Mr. Nice, Otto II, Spirit and as depicted here- Daughter of Darkness.

This build is situated on the cab and chassis of my bare bones M37 build.

It features a modular engine built to resemble the Chrysler T245 L-head straight six engine of the WC, Power Wagon and M37.

Fuel capacity of 140 US gallons. Decent endurance.

Top speed of 50 miles per hour (slower than the base truck due to additional ammunition and armor weight.)

Four speed manual transmission with working low range 4x4. First gear in 4L is practically a crawl ratio. Gear stick is animated to reflect the shift pattern. Acts as a gear indicator. Holding "DOWN" key for a few seconds will automatically reset the transmission to neutral should you prefer driving in 3PS.

Two machine gun turrets with 180 degree firing arcs. Each has a bank of ammunition boxes of varying ammo type. Grenades, rifles and body armor are within easy reach.

Hood, door and tailgate all open and close. (the passenger door button is in a lousy location preventing the passenger from exiting. Will attempt to fix later)

Credit to the player "Crash" for his very well done Power Wagon build- the logic of which was my tutorial in designing a working dynamic steering system.

Credit to the creator of the ZE modular engine controller which this vehicle has.

Credit also to the members of the community who helped me with technical questions while building my first wheeled vehicle in the game.

WARNING: Build contains several cosmetic .XML edited parts. I know this deeply upsets people who prefer to build their creations limited to milk crates and sewer pipes.

Build also contains an exploit of developer approved parts. Exhaust is routed from the exhaust manifold into a modular fuel manifold to delete the ridiculous exhaust fumes. As a result, this truck will drive underwater. its uhh, a simulated deep water fording kit.


CHECK OUT MY OTHER M37 VARIANTS:

Currently released:

Dodge M37 tow truck from the 1963 movie "Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"

Currently building:
- Short wheelbase models (M37, M37 CDN, M37B1, XM177 wrecker, M42 Command Truck conversion, USMC MB-2 Fire Engine)
- Long wheelbase models (USAF R-2 Crash Truck, M56 Repair/Maintenance truck, V201 Telephone Maintenance Truck, M152 Special Equipment Carrier, M43 Ambulance, XM711B1 Wrecker)