 gamertom  | 16 May 2010 7:11 p.m. PST |
I've been reading some reference material about the American post-WWII answer to the T-10: the M103 heavy tank. Has anyone produced either a 20mm or 10/12mm model of this tank? From what I have read, the US Army decided they didn't need this tank and only used 88 vehicles which they grouped into a single heavy armor brigade. The remaining vehicles were given to the Marines. Now I have a hard time imagining what the Marines could do with this tank (aside from cursing the Army for dumping them on the Marines) except keep them in home depots. I mean did we have landing craft that could carry one of these? I assume they could be transported via cargo ship as the Army did have their brigade in Europe, but this rules out a beach landing. In limited circumstances I can see where these would make great bunker busters and the like. I see the problem as being more getting the tank to where you need it. Anyone know how the Marines deployed these since they had several hundred to deal with? |
Wyatt the Odd  | 16 May 2010 8:03 p.m. PST |
If you can deal with 18mm, Roco made a model of the M-103 (in 1/87 scale). picture Wyatt |
| badger22 | 16 May 2010 8:26 p.m. PST |
I have read it a bit difference, in that the Marines actualy fixed the design problems and gave 80 of them to the Army, so not really a dumping of them. As for deployment, I dont think they where ever intended to be used in a beach assualt, not really a heavy tanks enviroment. I do wonder if they ever made a beehive or cannister round for the 120? What I have read is that each marine tank BN had one company of them, so they must have meant to use them as tank hunters. We have one here about 3 miles from where I live, but they dont have much more info on them there. |
| badger22 | 16 May 2010 8:31 p.m. PST |
QRF makes one in 15mm, just in the middle of what you want. Nice model though. |
 Legion 4 | 16 May 2010 9:20 p.m. PST |
Yes, I had the Roco version … Kind of cool, but too heavy for it's own good … Here's what wiki had to say … link Note: Second picture at the bottom right looks more like an M48 from that angle … But the number of road wheels shows its an M103 …. |
| Bunkermeister | 16 May 2010 9:54 p.m. PST |
The M103 by Roco is a good kit, I have photos of some of them on my blog. The real tank is not really that heavy compared to other post war US military tanks. The USMC has been deployed many times post war in situations where tank destruction was important. Korea and Desert Storm being the two most notable. They were slated to defend northern NATO, so maybe tank use in Norway by the USMC could have been aided by the presence of the M103. Mike "Bunkermeister" Creek
bunkermeister.blogspot.com |
| Legion 4 | 17 May 2010 7:23 a.m. PST |
I'd be interested to know if the USMC M103 was ever deployed and where from. IIRC there were some with the 2d Mar Div stationed on Okinawa. After WWII of course ! And normally when a Marine Div is deployed, it's organic Tank assets, a Bn IIRC, goes with it. Not just for Infantry support but tankbusting … |
| Phil Gray | 17 May 2010 12:12 p.m. PST |
The M103 was the US equivalent of the British Conqueror and the Soviet T10, the last gasp of the heavy tank concept – the ode being that they sit back and snipe off the oposition arfmour at long range, before the medium tanks ( M48/ Centurion/ T54 respectively ) sweep the remains from the field. IIRC all three were overheavy, so undermobile, and their ammunition load too limited for their job – that and the tanks they were supposed to operate in support of became more and more capable, so the superiority the heavy tank concept offered became less and less tangible. As to M103 deployment… my googlefu ( link ) tells me they were in Cuba ( G't'mo ) in 1962… although the USMC deployed its tank Bns to viet nam they only seem to have deployed M48 companies A to C, not the M103 toting D… |
| Timbo W | 17 May 2010 1:38 p.m. PST |
I heard a story somewhere that the Soviets were rather impressed by the M103, presumably liking the BFG and thick armour. When the Americans announced that they had scrapped it the Sovs didn't believe them and spent ages trying to find out where the perfidious Yankees had hidden the damn things. |
| gamertom | 17 May 2010 3:50 p.m. PST |
One of the many "what if's" from the Cold War is the US planned invasion of Cuba in late October 1962 to ensure the destruction of the Soviet SRBMs stationed there. Ignoring the inconvenient for wargaming fact that the Soviets had numerous tactical nuclear warheads available, including a cruise missile mounted and ready to fire at Guantanamo Bay the moment the US did something bad to Cuba, using Cold War Commander to game out the invasion keeps popping up in my mind. So knowing the 2nd Marine Division was included in the invasion forces (along with the 5th Marine Regimental Landing Team), would any M103s been included? I seriously doubt I will ever carry out this demented scheme, but it would be nice to know. |
| deflatermouse | 27 May 2015 1:14 a.m. PST |
QRF have the M103 in 15mm. link |
