Customizing military vehicles will mean adding weapons, sooner or later. At its simplest, it could just be poking a hole on the roof to mount a machine gun. However, to make a weapon interact with action figures means the weapon itself must be poseable.

Case in point, Bbi’s Mk 19 Auto Grenade Launcher.

Originally, it can only traverse when mounted on its tripod. Not really such a good idea considering it is a grenade launcher and it has this unyielding need to elevate to hit anything. It is a simple fix, really. I just cut off the small peg that goes into the bottom hole. A quick custom, if one may consider it.

Problem solved:

Most 1:18 scale heavy weapons include a tripod. Even Roadblock’s M2 .50 Cal came with one. If one were to disassemble its mounting system, it should include a U-shaped object, which attaches to the weapon, with a peg that goes into a hole on the tripod. To field custom mount it on a vehicle, a tube or pipe with a corresponding hole should be enough. The hardest part would be where to attach the said pipe. Well, another customized hole.

On the custom Special Forces Hi-lux, the tube mount was placed on the roll bar at the back. On the DTC Humvee, one was placed on the side bar at the back. It is all about finding a gunner’s position where covering fire can be most effective. Not necessarily where it is comfortable.

Below is a cupola for the 90’s Joe Hammer.

Removing the big gun reveals a hole where it is possible to mount other weapons. Shown beside it is the Mk 19 AGL mount. After attaching the Mk 19 AGL, it was a simple matter to make customize bushings from plastic tubes so that the Mk. 19 will fit without falling off:

Though, I admit, the sizes are not in proportion…

Playing around with Mk 19’s interchangeability, I mounted it on Roadblock’s version 2 tripod:

Not recommended, of course.

I will try the Forces of Valor Mk19 and M2 .50 cal. this weekend to see how they compare to Bbi. Most importantly, I will check if the tripod is compatible.

Other weapons than can be vehicle mounted include the M249 SAW. However, Bbi’s and Marauder’s SAW will require drilling a hole. Again, it is not too complicated. A dremel or even heated needles will do the job. The most essential part will be our U-shaped friend, which makes it move freely. I find the easiest tube to get would be lollipop sticks as they are already hollow. Applying a little heat to bend it to the desired shape, then a quick paint job and it is set. I cannot stress it enough that custom pintle mounts must be attached at the proper place. It would not make sense to just drill anywhere, especially if one chose to drill a hole on the gas tube because it looks cool mounting it there!

Lastly, if it is a straight pole you intend to mount on the floor of a jeep or pick up truck, I recommend making it go through a flat sheet of plastic and adding scale bolts on it before sticking it. Little details can do great wonders.

Now, mounting a custom turret unto a vehicle is an entirely different story…