I am in the process of assembling some PSC 1/72 scale M5 half tracks.
The kits are supplied with British Crews, and also have either a pulpit mount or a pedestal mount for the M2 0.5" HMG. They also have a 30 cal to mount at the rear.
As far as I am aware the British did not mount the HMG on their half tracks. I am also dubious about the 30 cal.
Also did they have ones with the pulpit?
I have looked through my book collection and online, and cannot find anything conclusive.
Does anyone on the forum have more info?
Some did, some not. Quite a few were converted from M14 AA vehicles. If the pulpit was fitted the section Bren gunner rode in it. There is at least one photo in one of the Osprey Vangaurds but cant for the life of me remember which one. If you are doing 2 platoons you could do one with and one without.
Leaving of the MGs was very typical
As Ian says pulpits in place seem to vary. I too went with 50% on mine - which you might be able to make out in this not great photo - of a motor battalion at 1 stand to 1 platoon scale
(http://www.kerynne.com/games/images/BritInf/100_9749.jpg)
Quote from: fred. on 14 October 2021, 04:55:47 PM
Leaving of the MGs was very typical
As Ian says pulpits in place seem to vary. I too went with 50% on mine - which you might be able to make out in this not great photo - of a motor battalion at 1 stand to 1 platoon scale
(http://www.kerynne.com/games/images/BritInf/100_9749.jpg)
Very nice fred - good to see how others interpret the OOBs of a formation
THanks all for the info, I will do one with the pulpit and the other two without and put the mgs in the spares box
The Motor Sections and Armoured RE Sections tended to use the M5A1 with pulpit, also most Platoon HQs. Company HQs tended to use the M5 without pulpit and higher HQs and OPs tended to use converted (disarmed) M14s.
Armament is a tricky one and the simple answer is that some did, while most didn't. E.g., an officer's account from 2 KRRC (4th Armoured Brigade) in Normandy clearly described the use of the halftrack-mounted .50s, while 4 Field Squadron RE (7th Armoured Division) described in detailed terms how its halftracks were emplaced around the perimeter during their defence of Wetteren in September 1944, to give .50 support to the dismounted sections. 1 RB (22nd Armoured Brigade) meanwhile, had disarmed halftracks, but many of its Carriers were fitted with .50s, as were many of those in 161 (Queen's) Brigade.