M114

Another one of my US Army Cold War supply units. The Gamma Goat served in the US Army for about 20 years, from about 1969 to about 1989. It was a very loud vehicle, but it could go almost anywhere; it could even swim, a little.

My makeshift halftrack in the Gamma Goat box.

Gamma Goats had a cargo and a shelter version. The shelter was usually some kind of communications gear.

The little tan vehicles are the M114. It is like a mini-M113. They were used for reconnaissance in the Cold War. The concept was that they would replace the Jeep. A small unarmed vehicle was not suited for Atomic Warfare.

Most M114 carried either a .50 caliber machine gun or a 20mm cannon. The vehicle had some mechanical problems and did not serve long. From what I have heard, when they were running, they were well liked.

Surplus Bits

This is a mystery halftrack.

Years ago I purchased a collection of used Roco and this was one of them. The guy was using it as part of his Afrika Korps. One look at that US Army truck cab and M41 type tracks and running gear told me that was not going to happen in MY army.

This is one of those strange little vehicles that you sometimes get when you buy a used collection. It is a conglomeration of at least two different vehicles. I don't know who make the tank tracks, they are not Roco.

This reminds me of the sort of vehicle the rear echelon types put together after some major combat when they have plenty of parts, lots of time and not much to do with either. So they make something out of the junk.

This is not a bad little vehicle. I have done similar things myself with surplus bits.

Bulldozer

Another toy store find. This little bulldozer was in the set with the previous two and a half ton truck.

Another drug store find. When shopping for anything, keep a hobby eye out for potential hobby stuff.

The US Army has probably used just about every type of bulldozer ever made. They buy them under American contracts and even buy them locally in other nations.

Engineer equipment like this can be used to equip your engineer forces . Any small Hot Wheels or Matchbox bulldozer can work, and they only cost a buck.

Trucks

I got this duece and a half at the drug store. It came with a bunch of other items, Jeep, bulldozer, and troops.

It has a nice camoflague job, but the wheels need painting.

It was really cheap. This is a good example of the kinds of items to look for when out shopping at dollar stores, drug stores, toy stores.

Here is the cheapo truck with a Roco two and a half ton truck.

The two and a half ton truck was built by several companies. During the Viet Nam War commerical heavy trucks from Japan were used by the US Army and ARVN. I plan on using a couple of these trucks for that. I got this truck several years ago, and wish I had gotten more.