"Victrix M3 halftrack" Topic

Got them today, very nice kit. Comes with 2 lower chassis one with a winch the other with an unditching roller, 2 rear ends with or without stowage, ring mounted or pedestal mounted 50 cal. and crews of US or Brit soldiers. Also some bits of stowage and a 30 cal. mg.

‌DSCF1678 by machinehead1956, on Flickr
‌DSCF1679 (1024x828) by machinehead1956, on Flickr

…and crews of US or Brit soldiers.

Somewhat puzzling as Britain didn't have any M3/M3A1 HTs…

Also slightly dubious how many M3s (pedestal MG) would have been fitted with mine racks, as these aren't optional – a good table showing the order that US halftracks received their various upgrade features can be found here:

link

I also note that the mistake of the armoured side extension on the MG pulpit is yet again repeated (PSC, Academy, …). This was only found on the M3A2, which never saw service in WW2.

And speaking of often repeated errors, the side panels have the hinged flaps of an MGMC.

Why are the designers of these kits so lazy? Basic research people… it isn't that hard.

I'm far from an expert on US halftracks. The Brits used the M5 which was "M3E2/M5 – An IH half-track, that was virtually identical to the M3. The only differences was the thicker armor (up to 20 mm), different engine (IHC RED-450-B), and lower range (125 mi (201 km)). This model was mainly supplied to the Soviet Union, the British Commonwealth, and France. A total 4,625 were produced." As for the rest like I said, not even close to an expert here. I'm happy with them.

The hinged side panel error was pointed out to Victrix when they showed them as 3d renders but they went ahead with them anyway. Guess the molds were in process by that time?

The Brits used the M5 which was "M3E2/M5 – An IH half-track, that was virtually identical to the M3. The only differences was the thicker armor (up to 20 mm), different engine (IHC RED-450-B), and lower range (125 mi (201 km)). This model was mainly supplied to the Soviet Union, the British Commonwealth, and France. A total 4,625 were produced."

Actually, there were a number of other differences apart from the ones you quoted between the IHC M5 and the M3 versions, the most noticeable being flat pattern mud guards and rounded rear hull corners.

On close inspection, the Victrix kit appears highly derivative of the two PSC kits US halftracks and Commonwealth halftracks. I am curious whether the PSC error of the crew figures having German "Y"-strap webbings is also present…?

I have the German infantry set and they have Y straps on their backs. If I recall correctly the same designer did the PSC halftracks too.

I have the German infantry set and they have Y straps on their backs.

I was asking about the Victrix US and British halftrack crews. In the corresponding PSC kits they have incorrectly been given German webbing.

The Brits and US soldiers both have X straps.

The Brits and US soldiers both have X straps.

Hurrah, at least that is one error not repeated..!

Off Topic side note, the PSC Late War US Infantry also have the Y-strap affliction:

link

I don't do figures, they go into the spare parts bin. I gave about 300 of them away a couple years ago, most of them from WTM. I bought the Victrix German set for the mortars to convert some 250/1 halftracks to 250/7s. So now I have a whole bunch to get rid of. Anybody want them?

Not a bad little model ( suspect not 1/35 scale somehow) but a great review/discussion on it.

Most of us know about the simpler mudguards/fender on the IH Lease/Lend versions (I ground down my Academy model), the rounded corners instead of welded (I tried to round them off) but could never understand the weird looking MG pulpit, which I cut down anyway to a French M5 look. Now I know thanks to Hornswoggler and I never knew there was an M3A2!

Another difference was the vision ports on the doors BTW. Is the sliding hatch on the inside or outside? Ah ha…..it all depends and I got it right for an M5A1 of 2eDB. Of course if you drop the armoured panel then the sliding screen ends up back on the outside anyway!

Any thoughts about what scale this is ?

martin

How about i start the ball rolling.

1/144th?

martin

We have a winner :)

Since Victrix would be the 1/144th link

Yes 1/144, I'll post a comparison shot of the Arrowhead one with the Victrix one later today.

Put my last comment in the wrong thread. The shot is of Churchills and is in the so named thread in the gallery board.

Thanks Marc
Puts things in context

martin