M37s in Vietnam

[WarrenD]

Which version (or both!) of the M37 was in Vietnam during the late 60's and early 70's? I'm sure the B1 was there, but were there also the older ones?
Thanks
(I'm doing some research for a project still in the planning stages, an M37 guntruck.)

[Lifer]

Yes. Both versions served with distinction in the Viet Nam war. They served well in all other theaters of operation at the time, too. Many of the M37s available to us now never saw action "in country" and many of the ones that did were left there and are now being used in agricultural and industrial applications by our former enemy.

[Murf]

I posted this a while back, it fits your bill. Notice the center mount for the M-60.
http://www.g741.org/PHPBB/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2099

It's not a "gun truck" per se. Gun trucks had extra plates mounted on them which added a crapload of weight. They were usually deuce and a halfs that had the room and could support the weight.

[WarrenD]

Thanks Lifer. I'd hate to get all the way through the end of a project only to find out I should have based it on a newer B1.
Thanks Murf, cool pic. Actually, the majority of GTs in Nam were based on the 5 ton chassis, they started with Deuces and they just couldn't take the extra weight of the armor (or the occasional APC body). There were a few GTs based on M37's and M151s. I've chosen to do one based on a M37 as it is probably the most affordable, will fit in the garage and, from the ones I've seen in "Hard Ride", pretty cool looking. I have some ideas to keep the weight down and I'll be doing what's known as a short box truck which will allow it to run over the road.

[rixm37]

Sounds like a great project. I think the Vietnam era M37 gun trucks are very cool.

[m-37Bruce]

Don't forget "Otto"?


It appears that Otto was a B-1 too!

[WarrenD]

I'm going to guess that most of them were B1s, but it's good to know that there were older ones. As for Otto, I hear someone is doing that one, so I'm looking for a different one. Raiders Light Work is also taken, Maddawg is working on that one currently. Mine is a while off yet, I want to do all my research and get a gameplan all the while hoping to find a good job that will allow for the financial end of the project.

[vtdeucedriver]

Hey warren, did you have this idea when you were in Weare NH or did you come up with this after your "Gathering trip"??? Gimme a shout at vtdeucedriver@yahoo.com I know a thing or two about gun trucks!!

[vtdeucedriver]

Warren, did you pick one yet????