1/35 US M16 HALF TRACK W/3 FIGURES

Half-track vehicles were developed for the US Army from the early 30s when the US Ordnance Department studied the successful Citroen-Kegresse half-tracks from France. Various firms in the USA developed half-track designs on behalf of the Ordnance Department, the Gunningham motor company producing the first, designated T1, in 1932. By 1940 development work led to the Half-track T14 in which the layout and appearance of all subsequent W.W.II period American half tracks was finalised. Later in 1940 with the war already gripping Europe, the United states commenced a big re-armament programme, and in September 1940 the existing T14 was standardised and ordered into production as the Half-track M2. The half-track was envisaged as an artillery prime mover, the M2 being equipped to tow the 105mm field howitzer and carry its crew and ammunition. This had been the original role of the French Citroen-Kegresse. The successful use of the Hanomag half-track in the armoured infantry role by the Germans in 1940 demonstrated that such a vehicle would be very useful to the US Army, so the existing T14/M2 design was adapted as an infantry carrier, with seats for infantry and stowage for their arms and equipment. Under the designation Half-track Personnel Carrier M3 this vehicle became known and more widely used than the original M2. While the M2 had internal ammunition lockers, the M3 body was 10 inches longer with a rear door. The later model M3A1, had a ‘pulpit’ to take an AA machine gun, while the M3 itself had a simple pedestal mount.