Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series HG3205
M26 Pershing Diecast Model
Belgian Army, Belgium |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| M26 Pershing | | 4.75" | | 2" |
Under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) Belgium received 423 M26 and M26A1 Pershings at no cost. MDAP was the acronym used for the U.S. Military aid to its Allied countries. The tanks were to equip reserve units of battalion strength. Since Belgium is a bilingual country with French and Dutch all the military units had two names. Some of the units were the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Régiment de Guides/Regiment Gidsen - 7th, 9th and 10th Régiments de Lanciers/Regiment Lansiers and the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Bataillon de Tanks Lourds/Bataljon Zware Tanks. In 1961 the reserve system was reduced and revised which meant the M26s now equipped the 1st and 3rd Escadron de Tanks/Tank Escadron. In 1953 the 1st Heavy Tank Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division, an active unit, used the M26 for 3 months until the M26 with active units was replaced by the M47. It wasn't until 1969 until all M26s were phased out of the Belgium military.
Originally designed as an upgrade to the medium tank M4 Sherman, the M26 Pershing first entered service in 1945. A series of prototypes led to the final design, but the overall development of the Pershing was hindered by Army Ground Forces opposition. The M26 was the US Army's first operational heavy tank, but it was unreliable and underpowered, so its service was limited (only 20 Pershings were deployed during WWII, and the model was withdrawn from Korea in favor of the more powerful M46). Though not in itself a success, the M26 gave rise to other more successful heavy tanks such as the M47, M48 and M60 Patton tanks. © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale M26 Pershing is constructed with an intelligent mix of diecast metal and plastic, which allows for maximum detail. The cannon and the turret, which has applied casting effects, are each constructed from diecast metal. The spare track, .50 Cal. heavy machine gun with ammo can and separately applied commander and gunner's hatches are constructed in plastic for fine scale replication of rivets and hinges. The plastic hull has separately attached equipment storage boxes and delicate guards that shield the front headlights with hand-painted lenses. The lever arms of the torsion bar suspension on each road wheel are viewable on the model's underside.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Ground Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles.
Hobby Master "1:72 Ground Power Series" diecast vehicles feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
- Painted, fitted, non-moving tracks on detailed non-rotating wheels.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Clear acrylic display case to protect model.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
