Thanks to efforts of both FieroDude (for the M41) and Razor17019 (for the crew), I have been able to get my ARVN M41 project underway and following are some initial project progress images.
As you can see I have removed all the US markings and replaced these with an ARVN style yellow and black number plate, I have also relocated the tool carrier to the right hand fender (this may however require some position tweaking). Talking about the fenders I did initially toy with the idea of cutting these at 45°, however after finding several images of ARVN vehicles with straight cut fenders I decided to take the easier option of leaving them as is and as such I have given the vehicle a lower serial number to hopefully reflect this.
Two tow rings have been added to the front glacises plate and as is the ARVN style a length of wood has been inserted to create a storage/anti-RPG shield area.
Two whip antennas have been added to the antenna stubs on the turret roof, one of which is now proudly flying the former South Vietnamese flag.
All the vision ports have been blacked out to represent class (apart from those around the TC cupola these were originally all unpainted).
The whole vehicle has been given a very dusty appearance, before it all turns to mud when the monsoons come.
What is still to do…..
Well I am now desperate to find some more BBI 50 and 30 cal ammo boxes/cans (the ones that come with the Sherman) basically as many as I can get hold of, as the ARVN Bull Dogs were covered in the buggers and I’d prefer to stick with the BBI ones for the sake of continuity, the head lights will need to be put back in and I may add the steps to the turret sides but only if I feel up to it.
I'd also like to add the canvas mantle cover but this may be asking a bit much.
I hope to also get back to working on the Huey this weekend and I also have a CIP project update that I need to post as well, that's if I can find the time.
Enjoy.....
