Unimax Forces of Valor 81023
Diamond T M3 Half-Track Diecast Model
US Army, Normandy, France, D-Day, June 6th 1944, w/4 Figures |
| 1:32 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Diamond T M3 Half-Track | | 7.5" | | 2.75" |
The Carrier, Personnel Half-Track M3 was an armored vehicle used by the United States, the British Empire and the other Allies during World War II. Nearly 43,000 were produced and supplied to the U.S. Army and Marines, as well as British Commonwealth and Soviet Red Army forces, serving on all fronts throughout the war. Between the world wars, the U.S. Army sought to improve the tactical mobility of its forces. With the goal of finding a high-mobility infantry vehicle, the M3 was developed.
The M3 was the larger counterpart to the M2 Half Track Car. The M2 was originally intended to function as an artillery tractor. The M3 had a longer body than the M2 with a single access door in the rear and seating for a 13-man rifle squad. Ten seats were arranged down either side of the vehicle, with three in the cab. Racks under the seats were used for ammunition and rations; additional racks behind the seat backs held the squad's rifles and other stowage. A small rack for mines was added on the outside of the hull just above the tracks. In combat, most units found it necessary to stow additional food, rucksacks and other crew stowage on the outside of the vehicle. Luggage racks were often added in the field, and very late vehicles had rear-mounted racks for this crew stowage. Many M3s were later modified to the M3A1 standard. The body was armored all around, with an adjustable armored shutter for the engine's radiator and a bulletproof windscreen.
Designed as a large, high-mobility infantry vehicle, the M3 half-track was standardized in 1940 and was built by the Diamond T Motor Company for use during WWII and the Cold War. In order to improve its reliability and to speed up production, the M3 was produced with as many commercial components as possible. It had a longer body than its counterpart, the M2, and could carry a 13-man rifle squad. It had a fully armored body and a bullet-proof windscreen, and the radiator was protected by an adjustable armored shutter. Later variants included machine gun mounts and rear-mounted racks for crew stowage. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Forces of Valor's 1:32 scale Diamond T M3 Half-track features a wide open crew compartment with detailed driver controls and cargo area. The upper portion of the chassis is constructed in diecast metal, and each model has opening driver and passenger doors, rolling weathered rubber tracks and wheels with detailed suspension, and steerable front wheels. Forces of Valor produces an armored personnel carrier version of the M3A1, with a single M49 machine gun, and an M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage version, with four pivoting M2 browning machine guns. Separately applied battlefield equipment such as fuel cans and storage sacks are included for a variety of display options.
© Copyright 2003-2016 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Unimax "Forces of Valor" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles.
Unimax "Forces of Valor" diecast vehicles feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
- Moving tracks on detailed rotating wheels.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
