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M3A3 Halftrack Items help.

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:21 pm
by Lex
Alright Gents, and Ladies,

I went rack diving at the Local walmart and found a M3A3 sitting in the back covered in dust. Now Got it home and loving it. the driver actually fits, which I find weird after reading about how most dont. BUT I have found one thing I have no idea about.

Little Gray Round Circles. about a dozen of them. Any one have any idea what these things are? My first instinct are Anti-Armor Landmines? I've been working on it the last few hours just playing. The amount of detail blows me away. My wife has been throwing stuff at me telling me to stop drooling over it or I'll ruin it!

Appreciate any help in advance on this ,

Semper Fi
Lex

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:47 am
by Black_Dragon_One
as i remember it yes those are land mine

and it is not the half track that got every one problem it is the 11/2 ton truck that everyone is gripeing about the driver not fitting.

US halftrack

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:20 am
by digger
BDA is right, they are mines that fit nicely on the side rack of the vehicle.

I am glad you like the M3A3 - it is my favorite vehicle and never ceases to amaze me (try counting the moving parts). I really hope they expand on the platform...an M16 and a howitzer version would be well received. 8)

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:23 am
by Razor17019
The discs will fit in the grooves on the either side of the halftrack crew compartment. I think they are spare wheels that fit in the inbetween the tracks that the crew could have changed if one broke. There should be some other pieces that fold up that attach to the back of the halftrack. The platforms at the back you can fold down and put oil/gas cans or the 2 square bundles of sleeping gear or whatever on them.

Yes the halftrack is a really cool vehicle to display or play with. Have fun!

mines

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:27 am
by digger
They are not spare wheels..they are mines.

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:36 am
by KAGNEW
i wish they would do a M16 half track also.
i'd take at least 2 :D

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:57 am
by Threetoughtrucks
Past posts are 100% correct. They are anti-personnel land mines. They are mounted on the outside racks because if hit by light cannon fire they will explode out, away from the track. A mine explodiing inside the track would give the crew a really bad day. Half-track armor was light and would only resist pistol and rifle fire, nothing larger.

The racks on the rear were used for anything from canvas tarps (as in the 21C) up to and including the kitchen sink.

The interior of a White half-track is relatively small and a full crew is all elbows and knees. They hung everything they could from the sides, the back and even tied on fenders and the winch and hood. in order to give the crew a little more room.

The boggie wheels did not break. Spare boggie wheels were not carried or used as extra armor as was done with tanks. If a half-track boggie wheel or track itself was damaged by a mine, the track was out of comission until rear echelon maintenance guys could make repairs.

The track themselves were all rubber with steel cables inbedded inside. It was in effect, a giant rubber band and once damaged, the track had to be replaced. The wore well and the proof is all the WW2 era half-tracks that are still around. The Israeli's made a replacement rubber track in the 60's that is indistructable.

The White HT was a really great vehicle, no matter which version. I would love to see a 21C M-16 or M-15. Mauybe some day. :wink:

TTT

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 11:28 am
by Razor17019
Like I said, don't listen to me :oops:

That's what I like about this board, a weath of knowledge and EVERYBODY learns something, sometime...

Thanks for the help, fellas! :)

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:09 pm
by Jolly Roger
i just threw those mines under the seats... thats where i thought they went :?

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:37 pm
by Lex
appreciate the info, Thats what I figured and I found they did ride rather well on the sides. Been doing some touch up and painting and hopefully will have some pictures here soon to post. Again thanks!

Semper Fi
Lex