CCKW 353 6x6 2 1/2 ton. - Brazilian Army WWII - case report

      Another truck, another Brazilian girl. This time, I'll show to you another CCKW, cargo version, in the colors of Brazilian Army, in WWII. The Brazilians fought in italy, in 1944-45.

Brazilian Army - markings WWII - Southern Cross inside a circle

CCKW 353 6x6 'AIDA' with Brazilian soldiers at rest in Italy, 1945.

CCKW 353 - 'AIDA'

Specs:

CCKW
Type	Cargo truck/transport vehicle
Place of origin	United States
Specifications
Weight	5.3 t
Length	6,510 mm (256.3 in)
Width	2,240 mm (88.2 in)
Height	2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Crew	2
Armor	none
Main armament	Provision for machine gun mount.
Secondary armament	none
Engine	GMC 6-cylinder 269 cid 91.5 hp
Suspension	wheels, 6x6
Speed	45 mph (72 km/h)

The kit:
      To build  'AIDA', I used the old (but honest) kit from Italeri:

The old GMC cargo truck Italeri

The kit content.

Italeri booklet

       Starting by the chassi and suspensions.

easy to build...and fast!!

cargo bed

      The truck has the ring of .50 machine gun, but not the model of the Italeri kit. I noticed that in the original photo there is a pole supporting the machine gun ring. See the picture (arrows):

Notice the .50 pole ring, erected beside of windshield

      To reproduce that, I used the Tamiya's  cargo truck accessory parts set

      And voiláá..The kit was painted with olive-drab, after the primer. The arcs for tarp I did with cooper wire.

       The tarp I did with tracing paper and silk-paper (yellow). The papers were softened with a mixture of white-glue and water.

       While the tarp dried, I applied Future and the decals. My friend Fabio Melo made the decals with transparent film and silkscreen. Aida was born!!

Aida e Deus me guiem - Aida and God guide me

       Painting the canvas with khaki color.

Notice the Southern Cross in the rear

       And the Brazilian Girl is ready. The Brazilians grunts used the gun in the ring, even with the canvas installed. As Brazilians are "tropical creatures," felt very cold in winter Italian. But not gave up their weapons. If necessary use a .50, was only cut the canvas with bayonet and .50 spit lead!!

CCKW 353 from Brazilian Army - Italy, 1945.

CCKW 353 from Brazilian Army - 'AIDA'  -  Italy, 1945.

Thanks again, Lads!!!