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M54A1/A2/A2C
5-Ton Gun Truck
Statistics
| Country of Origin/Used by: | USA |
| First Produced/Service Dates: | Early 1950's for Cargo Truck; 1967 for Gun Trucks. |
| Manufactured by: | Chassis: Mack (M54A1), Kaiser Jeep Corp./AM-General (M54A2); Armor: US Military |
| Crew: | 4-8 |
| Armament: |
Q |
| Engine: | 6-Cylinder Diesel (M54A1) and Multi-Fuel (A2) |
| Miscellaneous Info: |
The M54
5-ton cargo truck was first produced from approximately 1952 to 1964 by
Diamond-T, International Harvester and Mack. The M54 was equipped
with the Continental R6602 gasoline engine. The next version, the
M54A1, was then produced from about 1959 to 1966 by Mack and equipped with their ENDT-673
diesel engine.
The final version, the M54A2, was produced from
approximately 1966 thru 1970 by Kaiser-Jeep, and by AM-General from 1970
to the early 1980's after Kaiser's acquisition by AMC, AM General being
their military division. The M54A2 models were equipped with a
Continental LDS-465 multifuel engine. Lastly, the M54A2C variant,
equipped with a dropside cargo bed, was introduced in the late 1960's. The M54 and M35 2 1/2 ton framed trucks were very similar. However, the M54 contained a higher capacity hauling load due to automotive improvements, including engine, transmission and suspension. Some unique gun trucks were also built on the M54 including those using M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) hull/bodies fitted to the rear cargo area. |
| Data Sheet Available: | Not Available |
Photos
| Reference | Source/Provider |
| M54 5 Ton Gun Truck "Wild Thing" Photos | Patrick Keenan - Editor |
| M54 5 Ton Gun Truck "Wild Thing" Photos | Bill Soppet - Homer Glen, Illinois USA |
| M54 5 Ton Gun Truck Photos | James Lyles - Florida USA |
| M54 5 Ton "APC" Gun Truck "The Colonel" Photos | Mark Aldrich - IPMS/USA Tacoma Green Dragons (Washington) |
M54 5 Ton APC Gun Truck Photo (with M113 APC hull Armor) |
James Lyles - Florida USA |
M54 5 Ton Gun Truck Photo (with Multi-Angled Armor) |
James Lyles - Florida USA |
M54 5 Ton Gun Truck Photo (with Wooden Armor) |
James Lyles - Florida USA |
5 Ton Dump Truck Gun Truck Photo |
James Lyles - Florida USA |
References Available
Online
| Reference | Source/Provider |
| Gun Truck Information and Photos | The Army Transportation Association - Vietnam |
| Gun Truck Information and Photos | Vietnam Gun Truck Psychotic Reaction Website |
Printed
| Reference | Author |
| Armored Car- A History of American Wheeled Combat Vehicles | R.J. Hunnicutt |
| Gun Trucks (Squadron-Signal Publications) | Timothy J. Kutta |
| The Hard Ride - Vietnam Gun Trucks (Part/Volume 1) | James Lyles |
| The Hard Ride - Vietnam Gun Trucks (Part/Volume 2) Covers both the 1st & 2nd Editions | James Lyles |
| U.S. Military Wheeled Vehicles | Fred W. Crismon |
Hobby Modeling
Kits and Accessories
| Model Kit | Manufacturer | Scale | Other Information |
| M54 5-Ton Truck Model Kit (35112) | Real Model | 1/35 | Resin/Photo Etch |
| Aftermarket/Accessory Set | Manufacturer | Scale | Other Information |
| M54 5-Ton Gun Truck Cab Conversion (35028) | Real Model | 1/35 | Resin/Photo Etch; Conversion for Italeri M923 Big Foot/Shelter Carrier. |
| M54 5-Ton Gun Truck "Eve of Destruction" Conversion (35123) | Real Model | 1/35 | Resin/Photo Etch; Conversion for Italeri M923 Big Foot/Shelter Carrier. |
| M54 5-Ton Gun Truck "Black Widow" Conversion (35128) | Real Model | 1/35 | Resin/Photo Etch; Conversion for Italeri M923 Big Foot/Shelter Carrier. |
| M54 5-Ton Gun Truck "Satan's Li'l Angel" Conversion (35130) | Real Model | 1/35 | Resin/Photo Etch; Conversion for Italeri M923 Big Foot/Shelter Carrier. |
| M54 5-Ton Gun Truck "Uncle Sam" Conversion (35138) | Real Model | 1/35 | Resin/Photo Etch; Conversion for Italeri M923 Big Foot/Shelter Carrier. |
| M54 5-Ton Gun Truck "Ace of Spades" Decals (RMD35004) | Real Model | 1/35 | Decals only |
Model Photos
| Reference | Source/Provider |
| M54 Vietnam Era Gun Truck "Eve of Destruction" Build Article (1/35 Scratch-built) | James Lyles - Florida USA |
| M54 Vietnam Era APC Gun Truck "King Kong" Build Article (1/35 Scratch-built) | James Lyles - Florida USA |
