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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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Questions re Italeri M923
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: August 29, 2017
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Posted: Sunday, January 20, 2019 - 09:26 AM UTC
I have 2 questions and would appreciate feedback.

First, id like to convert the Italeri M923 to the 5 ton wrecker from either Real Model or Hobby Fan.

Which is the easier kit to work with?

Second, i tried to mount a gunner for the cab mounted 50 cal on the Italeri M923 guntruck, but the Trumpeter figure has nowhere to stand, the passenger seat being too low. There is a shelf on the passenger side dash but using this as a footrest puts the gunner at a weird backwards tilting position.

Can anybody help with whats wrong? The figure is posed at a reasonable position to crew the weapon but way too high to use the seat and the shelf is way too far forward.

Thanks


HeavyArty
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Posted: Sunday, January 20, 2019 - 10:32 AM UTC
I have the Hobby Fan M936 wrecker conversion set and it looks like it will be a straight-forward build. I haven't built it yet though.

For the gunner's position, the top part of the seat folds down and becomes a platform that the gunner stands on.

The basic truck is lacking quite a bit. I highly recommend Legend's M923 Detail set (LF1244). It adds a lot to it. At a minimum, you need new wheels/tires as the kit ones are horrible.

Also, in step 7, do not add the shift lever (80A). The truck has an automatic transmission and should not have the shift lever at all.
terminators
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France
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Posted: Sunday, January 20, 2019 - 10:46 AM UTC
A great built/review of the kit.

https://vodnik.net/pages/m923a1-mods/m923a1-mods.htm
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2019 - 05:29 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I have the Hobby Fan M936 wrecker conversion set and it looks like it will be a straight-forward build. I haven't built it yet though.

For the gunner's position, the top part of the seat folds down and becomes a platform that the gunner stands on.

The basic truck is lacking quite a bit. I highly recommend Legend's M923 Detail set (LF1244). It adds a lot to it. At a minimum, you need new wheels/tires as the kit ones are horrible.

Also, in step 7, do not add the shift lever (80A). The truck has an automatic transmission and should not have the shift lever at all.



Thanks for that. Does the seat back fold up or down? Unfortunately ithe model was built early in my third foray into modelling (last year) but I left the shifter out and used RM wheels. I dont want to gut the cab but maybe i can fake the seat back with a piece of placcie sheet?

Im looking at the Legend detail set for future 923's and i note RM do a replacement canvas cover for the kits placcie one. Any thoughts?

The HF kit sounds great for the Wrecker BTW. Lucky Model have some.

Thanks again for the advice.

tanknick22
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2019 - 05:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I have 2 questions and would appreciate feedback.

First, id like to convert the Italeri M923 to the 5 ton wrecker from either Real Model or Hobby Fan.

Which is the easier kit to work with?

Second, i tried to mount a gunner for the cab mounted 50 cal on the Italeri M923 guntruck, but the Trumpeter figure has nowhere to stand, the passenger seat being too low. There is a shelf on the passenger side dash but using this as a footrest puts the gunner at a weird backwards tilting position.

Can anybody help with whats wrong? The figure is posed at a reasonable position to crew the weapon but way too high to use the seat and the shelf is way too far forward.

Thanks





the wrecker would not have a gun mount
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2019 - 06:17 AM UTC
Here's a TM view showing the seat back. Like Gino said, it folds down for the gunner to stand on :


H.P.
165thspc
#521
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2019 - 06:32 AM UTC
Here is a similar gunner's seat arrangement (but entirely different hinge mechanism) in a Marine Mk 23 cargo truck. **



** This photo came to me also by way of Gino's assistance on the subject.

The finished modification on my Mk 23.

Frenchy
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2019 - 06:35 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The wrecker would not have a gun mount



According to TM 9-2320-272-10, the "Machine gun mount kit can be installed on all cargo, tractor and wrecker trucks. Kit is designed for use with M2 or M60 machine gun."

It also appears in this equipment options list for the M936

H.P.
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2019 - 12:29 PM UTC
My thanks to Gino, Frenchy and Mike for the valuable info. I'll attempt the seat modification on the next M923 and also the MTVR gun truck i hope to build, once LM can get the Black Dog set into stock.

Many thanks Guys.
M4A1Sherman
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New York, United States
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2019 - 05:20 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I have the Hobby Fan M936 wrecker conversion set and it looks like it will be a straight-forward build. I haven't built it yet though.

For the gunner's position, the top part of the seat folds down and becomes a platform that the gunner stands on.

The basic truck is lacking quite a bit. I highly recommend Legend's M923 Detail set (LF1244). It adds a lot to it. At a minimum, you need new wheels/tires as the kit ones are horrible.

Also, in step 7, do not add the shift lever (80A). The truck has an automatic transmission and should not have the shift lever at all.



I heartily endorse everything that the guys that answered your post have just put forward!

Also, I have to say this- IMO, the ITALERI M923 is basic, basic, basic. I'm surprised that AFV CLUB or TRUMPETER haven't done their version of this important vehicle, yet...

Regarding Step 7:

I hate to sound stupid, but being relatively ignorant of many of the details of the M923 and its sub-types, I should think that there is a need for SOME kind of Shift/Control Lever(?) with which to shift EVEN an Automatic Transmission, yes?

I have the ITALERI M923, and the LEGEND LF1244 Upgrade, but I would be very interested to some day convert it into the M936 Wrecker, too. Therefore, the Shift/Control Lever(?) question is a pertinent question, as far as I'm concerned...

And what about Hi and Low Ranges..? As far as the Wheels/Tires are concerned, DEF, LEGEND, REAL MODELS, ROYAL MODELS, TANK WORKSHOP(?), etc- Who makes 'em..?

Thanks, ahead of time...
Reforger-Victim
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Hessen, Germany
Joined: March 26, 2017
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2019 - 06:06 PM UTC
Hello,

don t use the real model wrecker conversion since it s really bad crap...but to find the hobby fan wrecker conversion won t be so easy..

greetings

matt
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 12:51 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Regarding Step 7:

I hate to sound stupid, but being relatively ignorant of many of the details of the M923 and its sub-types, I should think that there is a need for SOME kind of Shift/Control Lever(?) with which to shift EVEN an Automatic Transmission, yes?



There is a T-bar shifter on the angled part coming off of the dash to the floor. Italeri depicts it w/a rod sticking up and no cross bar.

You can see it below.


All models have an Allison 5 speed automatic transmission with a two speed transfer case. The front axle is automatically engaged in low range (1-3 on the shifter).
Frenchy
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 02:05 AM UTC
Another view :



H.P.
Reforger-Victim
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Hessen, Germany
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 08:12 AM UTC
T-Bar shifter is included in either Legend `s, Eduard`s or in CMK's conversion sets...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - 11:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text

T-Bar shifter is included in either Legend `s, Eduard`s or in CMK's conversion sets...



THANK YOU Gino, Henri-Pierre and Matt!
165thspc
#521
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 01:25 AM UTC
My question: is this shifter still a mechanical connection to the tranny or is it an electronic (fly by wire) shifter? Anybody know?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 01:51 AM UTC
Pretty sure it still has a mechanical linkage as the truck was originally developed in the late '70s and hasn't changed much since then.
Frenchy
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 02:41 AM UTC

Quoted Text

My question: is this shifter still a mechanical connection to the tranny or is it an electronic (fly by wire) shifter? Anybody know?



From TM 9-2320-272-24P-1 : Figure 180. Transmission Shift Quadrant Control Cable and Neutral Safety Switch (M939, M939A1) :




H.P.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 02:58 AM UTC
Yup, mechanical linkage. Part 9 above is the cable that connects the shift lever to the lever on the side of the transmission (part 10) to shift between gears.
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: August 29, 2017
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 05:33 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I have the Hobby Fan M936 wrecker conversion set and it looks like it will be a straight-forward build. I haven't built it yet though.

For the gunner's position, the top part of the seat folds down and becomes a platform that the gunner stands on.

The basic truck is lacking quite a bit. I highly recommend Legend's M923 Detail set (LF1244). It adds a lot to it. At a minimum, you need new wheels/tires as the kit ones are horrible

Also, in step 7, do not add the shift lever (80A). The truck has an automatic transmission and should not have the shift lever at all.



I heartily endorse everything that the guys that answered your post have just put forward!

Also, I have to say this- IMO, the ITALERI M923 is basic, basic, basic. I'm surprised that AFV CLUB or TRUMPETER haven't done their version of this important vehicle, yet...

Regarding Step 7:

I hate to sound stupid, but being relatively ignorant of many of the details of the M923 and its sub-types, I should think that there is a need for SOME kind of Shift/Control Lever(?) with which to shift EVEN an Automatic Transmission, yes?

I have the ITALERI M923, and the LEGEND LF1244 Upgrade, but I would be very interested to some day convert it into the M936 Wrecker, too. Therefore, the Shift/Control Lever(?) question is a pertinent question, as far as I'm concerned...




And what about Hi and Low Ranges..? As far as the Wheels/Tires are concerned, DEF, LEGEND, REAL MODELS, ROYAL MODELS, TANK WORKSHOP(?), etc- Who makes 'em..?



Thanks, ahead of time...





Dont want to sell the HF Wrecker kit do you?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 05:52 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I have the Hobby Fan M936 wrecker conversion set and it looks like it will be a straight-forward build. I haven't built it yet though.






Dont want to sell the HF Wrecker kit do you?



Sorry, but no. I plan on building it...eventually.
165thspc
#521
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 10:02 AM UTC
My thanks to Frenchy and Gino for answering my question about the shifter.
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: August 29, 2017
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Posted: Monday, February 11, 2019 - 12:21 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I have the Hobby Fan M936 wrecker conversion set and it looks like it will be a straight-forward build. I haven't built it yet though.






Dont want to sell the HF Wrecker kit do you?



Sorry, but no. I plan on building it...eventually.



$150 Canadian? Plus shipping.

Im desperate......
HeavyArty
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Posted: Monday, February 11, 2019 - 01:48 PM UTC
Sorry, still don't want to sell mine. There is one on eBay though.

Hobby Fan M936A2 Wrecker Conversion
Denimo
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2019 - 05:28 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Sorry, still don't want to sell mine. There is one on eBay though.

Hobby Fan M936A2 Wrecker Conversion



Thanks, but according to Matt its not a great kit, sadly.
 _GOTOTOP