While wandering thru my LHS this weekend I spotted a kit for an AFV I’m not familiar with. The kit is by Tamiya, and it’s an “M8 Motor Gun Carriage.” The box art looks like it was built on the Stuart chassis.
I know one of you guys must have some info on this piece. Was it a stop gap measure, or did the Army actually build these when the Stuart outlived its usefullness?[%-)]
I’ m not sure whether it was a stop gap measure or why it was built, but I do know this: it was an SP mortar. last I heard, it was a fairly old kit, did it look new?? NEway, it wasn’t the most effective of vehicles. and it wasn’t very common too.
hope it helps…
if not someone should come by soon that can tell u.
-matt
I don’t believe it was built as a stop gap weapon, but was rather in development while the Stuart was a viable tank or rather an extension of the chassis life. It certainally seems to be a servicable machine with the 75mm howitzer. I must admit I know very little about. I’m sure someone knows a great bit more. I sure they were used in Europe.
Not a stop gap, an intended vehicle. The turret was also used on the LVT (A) 4 see the pic at
http://afvinteriors.hobbyvista.com/lvt(a)4/lvt(a)4.html (you will have to copy the URL and paste it into your browser as the brackets effect the direct link)
The kit is a reissue of the old Tamiya Kit and has the inherent incorrectly sized hull, simplified running gear and poor tracks. Still, it is a neat kit if you don’t worry about those things.
Built by Cadillac the M8 Gun Motor Carriage was a 75mm Sp howitzer based on the Stuart light tank designed for close artillery support of infantry units. First use was in Italy in late 1943 and it was used in France extensively, and supplied to the Free French. It was also used in the Pacific.
Some referances refer to it as the “Scott”.
Thanks for all the comments. It does appear to be an older kit or a reissue, but I may pick one up anyway. Even with all its faults it’s still a model to build, right?
Anyhoo, I may get some ideas about rebuilding it the right way, or I may just build it OOB for some R&R.
Thanks, again. CB