Heavy artillery tractors

[krieglok]

I have a model of a 1:35th scale M4 high spped artillery tractor. I built it a number of years ago. I cannot seem to located them on the web at all. Who made the model kit? Anyone know? I am also looking for a piture of an M34 (converted recovery tank) used to pull the 8 inch and 155mm guns. I would appreciate any leads on that.

TJ

[binder001]

1) There was a very mediocre kit put out by Nitto (re-released by Blue Tank) in 1/35th.

2) The M33/M34?M35 did NOT pull the Long Tom or 8" howitzers!!!! They were built for pulling the huge 8" guns and 240mm howitzers. The ONLY authorized pulling vehicles for the Army 155mm guns and 8" howitzers were the M4 18-ton High Speed Tractor or the Mack model NO 7 1/2-ton 6X6 truck. The Marines did use bulldozers to haul them around some of the Pacific islands.

Gary

[Rowsdower]

Man I'd kill for a High Speed Tractor in 1:32, such a cool vehicle. While we're on it, give me the Atomic Cannon in 1:32 or even 1:72. To bad the kits are so old and insanely expensive because the tractors on that thing have always intrigued me, I especially like the front one. Big, mean looking tractor. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with my 1:72 Dragon Wagon for now.

[krieglok]

Thanks, That explains why the only photos I could find of the m34/m35s had the big 24omm guns. The army manualI have from 1943 shows the m4 with a load out for all the heavy stuff, but the m34 and m35 came a bit later so that would explain what i was misssing.

I cannot remember who made my M4 model. Those two name dont ring a bell. It probably was the Nitto. I bought it when the 1:35 long tom kit was put out by AFV. the M4 is a rather dull kit and it didnt come with decals. It filled the gap though.

TJ

[binder001]

There have been a couple of decent M4 High Speed Tractors, just not in 1/32nd. Back in the 1950's Revell made a combo kit of the Long Tom and the M4 in 1/40th scale. Not great kits, but on par with the detail of most 21C offerings. Perhaps the boys at 21C could scale-up this one and add it to the line?

Roco did a cute little M4 in 1/87th - a scaled-down version of the Revell kit.

There is a lso a VERY expensive M4 in resin in 1/35th.

Gary

[Rowsdower]

I've thought of pulling the Turret off a 21st Sherman or the FOV Stuart and doing as little kitbashing just for something to pull my arty. Not going for total realism but it might be a neat project.

I will have to pull out my trusty old encyclopedia of allied armored vehicles and see what I can find.

[krieglok]

I have the Roco M4 and Long Tom combination. They are a net set. I have them displayed infront of the 1:35th set.

The kitbashing of a M5 into a hst is an interesting idea. The windshield area would be a bit tricky, but I bet it could be done...

TJ