Gun trucks were built from excess armor steel plating, and most of them were painted black. The 8th Transportation Group trucks, distinctive with yellow noses painted on their hoods, also painted trim on the hinges along the sides of the vehicle, and sometimes portions of the bumpers and mud flaps.

    Truckers collected damaged weapons from infantry units they supported, cannibalized them, salvaged all working parts, and built new guns, accumulating a sizable inventory of parts. Weapons such as the M-60 and the .50 caliber machine gun became standard equipment, and mini-guns were added later.

    Drivers, mechanics and administrators became gunners, training on base camp ranges. Crews were formed and assigned to one truck, and were responsible for all maintenance of that truck. Typically, a transportation company had three gun trucks, one that served as a maintenance truck, carrying extra tires and parts to quickly repair other gun trucks. The convoy SOP was changed to reflect the new asset - the Gun Truck.

 

Part of the crew of the "Eve of Destruction" on an earlier model with only single armor plate sides.  It was later designed with double walls of sheet armor plating, which became the standard design for all gun trucks.

Specialist 4 Tom Brown, 359th Transportation Company, 1971.  Specialist Brown is servicing the twin .50 caliber machineguns on the rear of his truck, The Misfits.

Gunner SGT Claude Roberson, NCOIC on the gun truck "Ace of Spades" assigned to the 523 Trans Co out of Phu Bai, during Operation Lam Son 719 in 1971, showing the strain and dirt of convoy duty.

SGT Claude Roberson,  a gunner on the guntruck "Justifier" assigned to the 57th Trans Co, 54th Trans Bn, out of Quang Tri.  SGT Roberson served on the gun truck  in 1970-1971.

Drivers and crew of the 572nd Trans Co receive their daily convoy briefing including the probability of enemy contact and other vital information