The M39 series 5-ton 6×6 truck (G744) was a family of heavy tactical trucks built for the United States Armed Forces. The basic cargo version was designed to transport a 5-ton (4,500 kg), 14 ft (4.3 m) long load over all terrain in all weather. In on-road service the load weight was doubled.
The M39 series was the primary heavy truck of the US Army and US Marine forces during the Vietnam War, and was also used by the US Navy, US Air Force, and ARVN forces.
The M39 Series began to be replaced by the M809 series in 1970, followed by the M939 series in 1982, but continues to serve in other nations’ armed forces around the world.
The M39 series were originally powered by a Continental R6602 engine. The -A1 upgrade had a Mack ENDT-673 turbocharged inline 6 cylinder diesel engine. The -A2 upgrade had a Continental LDS-465-1A turbocharged inline 6 cylinder multi-fuel engine. Gas engine models have a down-swept exhaust exiting from under the body just ahead of the right-hand front set of rear wheels. Diesel (-A1) and multi-fuel (-A2) models have a vertical exhaust stack and air cleaner on the right fender, however a very small number of the earliest -A1 models and some -A2 gas/multi-fuel conversions are seen with same style of down-swept exhaust as on gas models. Of important note, A2’s with a factory build date prior 1964 originally were gas engine models.
The M54 was the standard cargo version of the series. It had a 7 ft (2.1m) × 14 ft (4.3m) low-sided box with a bottom-hinged tailgate. Side racks, troop seats, and overhead bows with a canvas cover were standard. A front-mounted winch was optional. The standard body sides could secure a load but could not be loaded from the side by forklifts, so a body with drop sides was standardized as the M54A1C. A standard military cab was used. It had hinged doors with roll-up windows, a folding windshield, and a removable canvas roof. Cargo trucks could be fitted with a ring mount for a M2 Browning machine gun. A hard roof could be fitted as well.
Product Highlights:
- Cabin with canvas roof or hard top option
- Optional M2HB HMG with ring mount
- Seat bench can be in deployed or folded position
- Rear tailgate can be in open or closed position
- Optional tarpaulin top included
- Driver in US Army or USMC uniform included
Plastic kit, supplied unassembled and unpainted.