What are some of the U.S. Tanks in service during the Vietnam and Korean wars? It seems to be a subject I see overlooked all too often. While I’m at it, does anyone know if there are companies that make larger figures from Vietnam? Specific companies or squads preferred. I have many relatives that are on the memorial wall but one in particular I would like to model his platoon.
If you have ever seen the movie we were soldiers, it was about his platoon or company. His name was Gale Davis. His character had a small part in the movie but he was there in the background. I think it would be great for his memory before the rest of the family forgets about his sacrifice.
I’d suggest picking up Squadron’s Armor in Vietnam and cross referencing that with Squadron or Gret models… Quite a few of the US types in Vieetnam are available in 1/35.
Some quick armor kits come to mind: M48A1 from Tamiya produces a Marine ersion in Vietnam markings. The M113 is reprecented by several comapnies, there is at least one M167, several guntruck kits or conversions, an early M151 from Academy, M110 from Italeri, V100 from verlinden, and several others. I know only one of these is really a tank, but the armor is actually pretty well represented in kit form.
In Korea, US tanks were pretty much limited to M4A3E8 Shermans and M26 Pershings.
As to figures, there are four figure sets from Dragon, individual and small groups of figures from Verlinden and several other copmpanies. Other than Marine, SEAL or generic army, there really are no unit designation sets.
Do a search on www.redlancers.com for larger scale figures of that period. I’ve seen LRRP and SEALS in 120 mm scale, as well as more generic figures.
As stated above for Vietnam the M-48A3 and A1 (mostly the A3, it was Diesel powered). Dragon does make a nice 1/35 scale Airborne Calvary that is very resonable priced and would go well for the Idrag Valley (I’m pretty sure I didn’t spell that right) where the movie was from. I know that one of the figure’s has a Stetson hat on that I don’t think that had at the time.
The Dragon Air Cav figures are more suited to post Ia Drang period of Vietnam. Most soldiers in that battle wore the old standard fatigues (in the book Col Moore mentions wearing old Korean War vintage HBT fatigues himself). Dragon’s figures are molded in the Jungle Fatigue uniforms which started widespread issue shortly afterwards. The Stetson hats worn by Avaitors were in use at the time, But I have not seen many photos of them being worn outside base camps. Check over on the Helicopter forum for a definite answer on that. There seem to be quite a few Nam Vet’s on that forum who are glad to share their knowledge.
Other armor kits from Vietnam would include:
Italeri 1/35 M-107, M-108, M-109, and M-110 SP Guns
Thanks for the info, I will definately be posting that up. I feel like a dork for this but I don’t even know the unit or platoon number or anything, I need to get that first.
Michael
Actually after a quick search of the records this is what I found. Anything I can do to somehow build some kind of model in tribute.
GAIL LEE DAVIS
PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service 1st Cav Division (AMBL)
Length of service 1 years His tour began on Aug 16, 1965 Casualty was on Nov 15, 1965 In , SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE Body was recovered
Michael: your relative, Mr. Davis was with the 1st Cav, Air mobil. I have to ask: did he even serve alongside any armor assets? In 1965, the US Army was still at its infant stages of the conflict.
You might be better off building a Huey than looking to see if his platoon served alongside tanks (which seems very unlikely). Good luck in your research
According to the book, “We Were Soldiers Once…And Young” by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, he was in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, commanded by Cpt Nadal at the time of his death.
A UH-1D would be far more appropriate than any AFVs. 1/7 CAV was Airmobile in 65, not Mech or Armored.