Red Ball Express - QUESTIONS (1 Viewer)

[noli-poli]

Rick:

1. Are the driver and machine gunner on the RBE Jeep removable?
2. Are the 2 soldiers unloading jerry cans with the Deuce & Half comes in the
set? The caption says truck comes with driver only, but nowhere are they
listed as a separate set.
3. Will there be additional sets to be released related to RBE? The early M2
Halftrack will be a great addition to the Half track series...maybe a mortar
version.
4. What soft-skinned or armored vehicle pulled the Bofors Gun?

Thanks

N-P

 

[RWFigarti]

Hi Arnold,

1. Driver is NOT removable, gunner yes
2. 2 Soldiers are included in the set (caption mistake)
3. We can, but not for upcoming releases this year
4. Our 2.5 ton truck can do, or any other light trucks. Bofor was light.

Rick
RWFigarti

 

[binder001]

Just to kick in, Rick is right - the authorized towing vehicle forthe 40mm Bofors in the US Army was the 2.5 ton 6X6.

Gary B.

 

[jbonzo1]

Great news about the soldiers!

 

[noli-poli]

Hi Arnold,

1. Driver is NOT removable, gunner yes
2. 2 Soldiers are included in the set (caption mistake)
3. We can, but not for upcoming releases this year
4. Our 2.5 ton truck can do, or any other light trucks. Bofor was light.

Rick
RWFigarti

Thanks Rick. One more thing, are the jerry cans loaded on the deuce removable?

Thanks

 

[noli-poli]

Just to kick in, Rick is right - the authorized towing vehicle forthe 40mm Bofors in the US Army was the 2.5 ton 6X6.

Gary B.

How about the Brits (Normandy & 8th Army)?

Thanks

N-P

 

[Jackaroo]

How about the Brits (Normandy & 8th Army)?

Thanks

N-P

N-P, I am with you…I am up for some more Brits!

Alby

 

[binder001]

I am more into the US than the UK, so I can't quote you an accurate answer yet. It does seem that the British Commonwealth forces usually used their GMCs as cargo vehicles. British or Canadian trucks served for towing guns and also supplies.

Gary B.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Almost any light truck could tow the 2-1/2 ton 40mm Bofors on roads.

The Americans often had an AA platoon of 4 towed or truck mounted bofors and 4 quad 0.50 cal half-tracks. Although for road convoys, normally towed or truck mounted Bofors were used for better road speed.

Photos are of a black US AA unit and a British unit towing their guns with 2-1/2 ton Chevrolet trucks.

And a British Bofors mounted on a Morris truck body.

I don't think a fully loaded 2-1/2 ton truck could at the same time tow a Bofors.

Terry

 

[wlindsay]

N-P

I'm aware of at least 4 purpose-built tractors used by British and Commonwealth forces to pull the 40mm AA Gun

1. Bedford QLB 3-ton 4x4 LAA (Bofors) Tractor (pic on left)
2. Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) 3-ton (or 30cwt) 134in wb 4x4 LAA Tractor (center pic)
3. Morris CD/SW 30cwt 6x4 Bofors Tractor (pic on right)
4. Designated Tractor, Artillery (Aust.) No.6 -this was similar to the CMP with a Canadian Cab & Chassis and Austrailian body (bottom pic)

There is also a another vehicle mounted version, similar to the picture Terry has provided above, but with a CMP chassis.

It would be logical to assume, as the war progressed and vehicles were lost in battle and through attrition, that the Bofors gun could be pulled by any available 3 ton truck.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[noli-poli]

Terry, Wayne, thanks for the pictures. Maybe Rick will consider making these British trucks, very classic as the deuce

N-P

 

[binder001]

Almost any light truck could tow the 2-1/2 ton 40mm Bofors on roads. The Americans often had an AA platoon of 4 towed or truck mounted bofors and 4 quad 0.50 cal half-tracks. Although for road convoys, normally towed or truck mounted Bofors were used for better road speed. Terry

Yes, almost any light truck could tow the 40mm but the authorized towing vehicle in a unit TO&E was the 2 1/2 ton 6X6. The trucks were assigned to the AA unit and were not used for general cargo service at the same time they were towing the gun. Some combat units were "grounded" by having their trucks borrowed for cargo service, but then the guns and the gunners' gear would be left behind.

For a standard AntiAircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion, the batteries used a mix of towed 40mm guns and towed quadruple .50 cal MG mounts. The halftrack quad fifties were in the AAAW Bn (Self Propelled) where they were mixed with the M15/M15A1 halftracks that had two MGs and a 37mm auto cannon. Armored divisions often had an AAAW(SP) Battalion attached.

Today's trivia - the AA gun units were administered under the Coast Artillery branch. After the war the Coast Artillery and AA Artillery were combined with the Field Artillery into today's Artillery branch.

Gary B.

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

How about the Brits (Normandy & 8th Army)?

Thanks

N-P

I agree. Commonwealth soft skinned vehicles are really cool, especially the green or camo Western Europe variety. I would definitely be up for any of those released. I think this is an area that has not been serviced particularly well to date by all the manufacturers.

 

[Jackaroo]

Wayne,

Good pics. An iconic Bedford or two wouldn’t go a stray. Alby

 

[Rob]

The Red Ball is going to be a highlight for me at the London show at the end of this month,can't wait to get my first view of these beauties.Apart from the trucks I also think that sign is very well done and would grace many a dio,another example of the superb stuff Rick is producing.

Rob

 

[Jackaroo]

The Red Ball is going to be a highlight for me at the London show at the end of this month,can't wait to get my first view of these beauties.Apart from the trucks I also think that sign is very well done and would grace many a dio,another example of the superb stuff Rick is producing.

Rob

Rob,

Agreed it’s an extremely versatile release and will compliment numerous other existing lines. Pretty partial to the “Ambushed MP Jeep” though. I will have to get myself to London show one day. Cheers,

Alby

 

[Rob]

Rob,

Agreed it’s an extremely versatile release and will compliment numerous other existing lines. Pretty partial to the “Ambushed MP Jeep” though. I will have to get myself to London show one day. Cheers,

Alby

Hey Alby,

Would be great to have you join us there when you can make it

Rob

 

[Jackaroo]

Hey Alby,

Would be great to have you join us there when you can make it

Rob

Rob,

My plan is to do one in the next couple of years, and if I could combine a show with a Wallaby tour of Great Britain, that would be fantastic. You seem to be a regular fixture at these events; perhaps I could burden you to take me under you wing for a little while and introduce me around? Cheers,

Alby

 

[aujj65]

Rob,

My plan is to do one in the next couple of years, and if I could combine a show with a Wallaby tour of Great Britain, that would be fantastic. You seem to be a regular fixture at these events; perhaps I could burden you to take me under you wing for a little while and introduce me around? Cheers,

Alby

Usually at the bar!

Jeff

 

[wayne556517]

Rob,

My plan is to do one in the next couple of years, and if I could combine a show with a Wallaby tour of Great Britain, that would be fantastic. You seem to be a regular fixture at these events; perhaps I could burden you to take me under you wing for a little while and introduce me around? Cheers,

Alby

We could do a ASHES tour,summer more drinking meet a few ENGLISH roses stir up the BARMEY army....................