With our new designer churning out the new models at quite a rate, it's time for another batch of new vehicles in the form of a revamp and extension of our M3/M5 half-tracks!
This batch includes replacement models for our existing British M5 half-tracks as well as the two American gun motor carriages (M15 and M16). Then we've added some new variants to the US range with the regular half-track plus the 75mm GMC and 81mm mortar (M21) versions now available.
We then jump over to our new Arab-Israeli ranges with a handful of M3 variants for the IDF. Israel converted a huge number of the M3s but we've chosen the 5 most popular versions to add to our range: APC, recce, AA, 81mm mortar and 120mm mortar.
WWII American - https://www.pendraken.co.uk/vehicles-716-c.asp
AMV23 M15 CGMC £2.95
AMV24 M16 MGMC £2.95
...
AMV34 M3A1 half-track, with .50cal £2.95
AMV35 M3A1 half-track, covered £2.95
AMV36 M3 GMC, 75mm £2.95
AMV37 M21 MMC, 81mm mortar £2.95
WWII British - https://www.pendraken.co.uk/vehicles-724-c.asp
BRV68 M5 half-track, with .50cal £2.95
BRV69 M5 half-track, covered £2.95
Arab-Israeli: Israeli - https://www.pendraken.co.uk/israeli-1084-c.asp
IDF24 M3 Degem Alef, APC £2.95
IDF25 M3 Recce, 20mm cannon £2.95
IDF26 M3 TCM-20, 20mm AA £2.95
IDF27 M3 Degem Gimel, 81mm mortar £2.95
IDF28 M3 Degem Dalet, 120mm mortar £2.95
And some pics:
AMV24 - M16 MGMC
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-amv24-n-m16-half-track-quad-.50-cal-hmg-3423-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=984E9A93-C23B-4644-BA97-8215CA1DE7AC)
AMV34 - M3A1 half-track, with .50cal
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-amv34-n-m3a1-half-track-with-.50cal-7366-1-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=DB44607B-CDFC-42EF-8DDC-CF3F9E768A03)
AMV37 - M21 MMC, 81mm mortar
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-amv37-n-m21-mmc-81mm-mortar-7369-1-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=31C3A3B2-4679-4D51-9D02-A63D291A6682)
BRV69 - M5 half-track, covered
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-brv69-n-m5-half-track-covered-3602-1-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=0EE3822D-3DCD-4A85-8FCB-06368620E0B6)
IDF24 - M3 Degem Alef, APC
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-idf24-n-m3-apc-7370-1-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=7403CE99-14C7-45E5-B8C6-07218AB8F890)
IDF25 - M3 with 20mm cannon
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-idf25-n-m3-recce-20mm-cannon-7371-1-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=836314F5-F791-4A5E-B24E-323CFA3B018C)
IDF26 - M3 TCM-20, 20mm AA
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-idf26-n-m3-tcm-20-20mm-aa-7372-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=65FA0D8B-292E-43B7-A6EF-184D6DF012C3)
IDF27 - M3 Degem Gimel, 81mm mortar
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-idf27-n-m3-degem-gimel-81mm-mortar-7373-1-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=203CCC89-0695-4207-B3DE-6CC0A94A3122)
IDF28 - M3 Degem Dalet, 120mm mortar
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-idf28-n-m3-degem-dalet-120mm-mortar-7374-1-p.jpg?w=360&h=210&v=E15915A9-0ACB-4E6B-8720-2804AB25CE73)
We've already got the next batch lined up and ready to go into a master mould, which will include the BMP-2 and BRDM-2.
Interesting to see the IDF24 M3 Degem Alef, APC coming with a variety of optional weapons :-\
The Israelis got a very nasty shock from the Egyptians and Syrians deploying "suitcase Sagger" ATGM's for the first time in large numbers at the beginning of the Yom Kippur war in 1973, and took reasonably high tank losses from them accordingly.
They very quickly learnt that if you could surpress or distract the ATGM missile operator the hit chance was greatly reduced. Hence they mounted multiple MG's and even 2"/52mm mortars on their tanks, APC's etc to help provide surpressive fire.
M3 halftracks were still in widespread use as APC's etc in the Israeli army in the early 1970's, though IIRC they started to receive significant numbers of M113's as the war progressed.
These are really nice looking models :-bd
Look good. Couple of coments - Most Israli M3's are actually M5's from our stocks. The 50 cal was rare on British vehicles although the pulpit seems to have been more comon than previously thought. The first British 1/2 tracks were converted from M14 AA vehicles.
finally - Where are the Cheiftain and FV432 ????? (Dint think you'd get away with it did you !)
Huzzah! Nice looking models.
Really, really nice!
Wow, what a set of releases. Nice all.
They do look nice. As do a lot of the revamped vehicles.
Sad to say, but I already have FAR more stuff than I will ever need! lol.
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 22 October 2022, 10:36:53 AMThey do look nice. As do a lot of the revamped vehicles.
Sad to say, but I already have FAR more stuff than I will ever need! lol.
Me too. Sadly that doesn't stop me! Doh!
They look great!
Must admit, whenever I see M3 halftracks, I always feel the urge to buy a couple, plus Jeeps and a 105mm howitzer so that I can recreate the Big Joe's platoon.
QuoteMust admit, whenever I see M3 halftracks, I always feel the urge to buy a couple, plus Jeeps and a 105mm howitzer so that I can recreate the Big Joe's platoon.
I know what you mean. M3/M5s and Jeeps are like catnip.
And Centurions.
Quote from: Raider4 on 22 October 2022, 03:27:27 PMThey look great!
Must admit, whenever I see M3 halftracks, I always feel the urge to buy a couple, plus Jeeps and a 105mm howitzer so that I can recreate the Big Joe's platoon.
Those were T20s...
Woofwoof
These look good - can I check what size these are compared to the older ones (which seemed quite small)?
QuoteI know what you mean. M3/M5s and Jeeps are like catnip.
And Centurions.
I think you meant, Pendraken models are like catnip
Oh yeah.
That's right. I do seem to have this odd habit of buying new releases on day 1. :-[
Definitely planning on buying some of these for my nascent IDF force, starting with APCs and moving to M3D mortar carriers and TCM20.
Edward
Thanks for the comments, glad you like them!
Quote from: paulr on 22 October 2022, 01:14:45 AMInteresting to see the IDF24 M3 Degem Alef, APC coming with a variety of optional weapons :-\
Hopefully they come in useful for customising! Some of the others come with a little sprue but it's usually only the main weapon (.50cal, mortar) etc. We might have a look at releasing some of them as weapon options somewhere too.
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 22 October 2022, 07:28:36 AMCouple of coments - Most Israli M3's are actually M5's from our stocks.
True, but I thought the IDF designated them all as M3's regardless?
You are probably right on that, they did tend to be arbitary on vehicle designation, afterall they did call all of their cents Mk5. Where are the Cheiftain and FV432 ?
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 24 October 2022, 07:09:39 AMWhere are the Cheiftain and FV432 ?
Somewhere... the more you ask the further away they get...!
Copying tactics used for Centurions and Aztecs, seemed to work there.......
What about adding an M2A1 Half Track to the range?
Would there be any value?
Cheers
Mark
Quote from: fred. on 22 October 2022, 05:54:33 PMThese look good - can I check what size these are compared to the older ones (which seemed quite small)?
Sorry fred, just noticed this query. The new models come out at 41mm length and I've got the old ones marked down as 35mm on my spreadsheet, so these are close to 20% longer. The width of the old ones was actually about right though, at 15mm-ish.
QuoteSorry fred, just noticed this query. The new models come out at 41mm length and I've got the old ones marked down as 35mm on my spreadsheet, so these are close to 20% longer. The width of the old ones was actually about right though, at 15mm-ish.
Thanks Leon - had to go and check those numbers - but they look good compared to what's in Chamberlin and Ellis
QuoteThanks Leon - had to go and check those numbers - but they look good compared to what's in Chamberlin and Ellis
One of the benefits of these digital designs is that we can print them at exactly the right size for 1:150th scale. There's still a little variance in the end product due to the moulding process but it should only be a mm or less.
Quick question.
Having now got some of the halftracks (picked up at Warfare) which are great - what are people doing for drivers for IDF vehicles?
Edward
Good question...! The best option currently would be the WWII US drivers, or we could supply some of the 1908's US MUTT jeep drivers instead.
For 67 reserve formations you could use British drivers, the Brodie helmet was still used by reserve units.