N Scale HEMTTs

[samusi01]

A number of you that model modern military loads have noticed that I have started to upload the last few months' worth of work, specifically, a fairly complete collection of what HEMMT (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck) models can be seen on flatcars. I am posting this mostly as a handy way to notify when additional models are uploaded, provide basic background data, and hopefully generate a few pictures of the results on various layouts.

Starting with the basics - HEMTTs are a early/mid 1980s product, and not likely to be seen on flatcars prior to about late 1982 or so. From that date until around 2008, the base model (A0) and updated model A2 are the versions seen on flatcars. In 2008, the A4 model was introduced and started to appear on flatcars. Referring to proto photos will show in the 2008 timeframe mostly A2 with some A4, with the A4 gradually taking over through mid/late teens. In the present, A2 variants can be seen but are not common and A4s dominate the photos. Naturally, some exceptions to this occur and I'll touch on them at some point.

The easy way to differentiate the A2 and earlier vs. A4 is the location of the spare tire: early versions have the spare on the right side of the engine compartment, and on the A4 it is mounted on the top of the engine compartment.

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All the models, as well as various loads, may be found here: https://www.thingiverse.com/samusi01/designs

p.s. - I am remiss in not noting and thanking those who have expended great time and effort in assisting me on this. Your help is deeply appreciated.

[Wolf N Works]

Sam, Thank you for your work on these. I have printed several of the HEMTT models and they have turned out great.

These are some of the best free HEMTT model for 3D printing out there.
Again Thank you

[Wlal13again]

Patriot units started using HEMTT`s in 1983. We were the first units in the Army to get them. We used the  tractors to pull launchers and the radar set, for large repair parts transporter and missile reload trucks, fuel trucks and wreckers

[samusi01]

@Wlal13again

Thanks for the correction. I misremembered the various dates and was using the second order date of 87; original post updated.

[samusi01]

The first version of HEMTT I uploaded is the M977A2/A4 version. I labeled it as 977/985 as I can't figure out visually what the difference is between the base M977 and M985 versions are. There are also files for the 985GMT, or guided missile transport, version of the 985. It has a heavier crane on the rear end and the images I have found of it being transported by rail show it being moved as part of an air defense unit.

M977:

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For the M977, note the stowed crane orientation. It is opposite from the stowed direction on the M984 wrecker and M1074.

M985 GMT:

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For both of these models, the modeler will want to add mudflaps (about .108" wide by .167" tall, or 2.7mm x 4.2mm) and mirrors. Showcase Miniatures mirror set #1 seems to be a relatively good stand in as I am too lazy to create bespoke photo etch files. Below is an image showing the Showcase mirror next to a drawing of the prototype.

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[Rio Grandeous]

 :oOMG!!!!  I've been waiting for exactly this for years!  I drove these for years, Cargos, fuelers, etc.  Also, these trucks were quite fun to drive, way better power and acceleration than any Hum-vee out there, mixed with a great sounding jake brake.   
  I believe the difference between the 985 and 977 is the 985 has a heavy duty recovery winch mounted to the frame midway under the cargo bed on the passenger(TC) side of the truck(In the area of the long tool box on the truck you have pictured), may be incorrect but remember one with the side winch.  I have to look a little further to be sure, but for now... 
  Just wanted to encourage you in this project, I'm especially interested in the older, A2 versions with the spare tire mounted aside the engine.  Great Work and THANKS!!
Chuck

[Philip H]

The more people do this stuff, the more I'm tempted to get a 3D printer. Nice work.

[Wlal13again]

The M977 LRPT (large repair parts transporter) had the low profile crane, but the first ones that were delivered in 1984 had the same Hiab crane as the GMT had. The second order, (the ones sent to Germany in 1985) had the lower crane. IMO the lower crane was much easier to use.

Thanks for doing the leg work on these

[samusi01]

Interesting. Did not know the early ones had the Hiab crane. I’ve not yet found enough good photos or drawings of the tractor version with crane to do anything. The 983s are up - will do a post on those eventually - in A2/A4/A4 LET versions. Don’t recall if I’ve seen any photos of an A2 LET.

[samusi01]

The M978 tankers were the first HEMTT model I completed. They are available in both the A2 and A4 versions. The modeler will need to add mudflaps and mirrors, as well as figure out something for the rear folding ladder and handrail. Designing one wouldn't be too difficult but, like the mirrors, I don't think the end result would be worth it - in turns too fragile and bulky to recreate the prototype. I haven't put much thought into it yet aside from toying with the idea of a 3d printed form for the handrail that curves up over the rear

The A4 version: note that this render does not include the stowage pipe on the right hand side of the tank; the thingiverse download does. I originally didn't include the storage pipe as I wasn't sure it'd print well and accordingly I used a piece of 0.9mm styrene rod for the pipe. I was asked to include it in a test print and it ended up coming out well, so that's the version that got uploaded.

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Here's both the A2 and A4 versions side by side.

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One of the goals of this project is to, within reason and subject to the availability of good data, allow modelers to recreate most of what they see on modern DOD trains. An example that modelers can presently do is this: the M978A4, M1076 trailer, and M108 tank rack from the Modular Fuel System. The only note I have about the latter is I have only found one image of the rear of a tank rank and no diagrams yet, so the piping is a mass of pipes to nowhere. If I get more images or other information, I'll try to revisit it.

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M978s: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6005414
M1076: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6028158
M108: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6028177 (here listed as MFS tank rack)

[vermonter_railfan]

I've been helping Sam with the test printing process for his HEMTTs for a while now and he's bugged me a few times to post some of my work using these HEMTT. So hopefully no one minds a bit of a small resurrection in this thread. These were all printed on an Anycubic Ultra using Anycubic DLP Craftsman Grey resin.

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[Wlal13again]

Excellent  work…I may want an M977 for old times sake

[nscaler711]

Oh man I need these! The M984 was one of my fondest memories being in the NG. I wish I had a 3d printer now. 

[samusi01]

@vermonter_railfan

Thanks for all your help.

Other items that are up: the aforementioned M984A2/A4, as seen below:

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Both M1074 and 1075 (commonly known as PLS) in both base/A0 and A1 configurations.

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Both these and the 1120A2/A4 got a number of updates today. Below is the 1120A4 with E-CHU.

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Most of the updates included combined versions where the various PLS loads are pre-positioned for a quick print and splash of paint... works well if you intend to have everything painted Tan 686 (example: every M7 Forward Repair Station I've seen an image of is tan...) but painting, say, a water hippo green as part of a combined model is going to be tricky.

A quick forward look includes quadcons - eventually I'll get them uploaded - and the dev pipeline includes the M3 CROP and MTRC (multi-temperature refrigerated container) in both PLS configuration, with the rollers installed, and container mode, with them stowed on the front of the unit. Idea for placing on a flatcar.

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[pjm20]

We had a FRS or two painted drab, frankly it is unit dependent on what dogs breakfast assortment of vehicles you have, especially on the FSC side of the house, and probably era. When we received new parts lockers they were all drab. I'd imagine the closer you are to 2010 the more likely anything is tan.